Cat

Tracey, I'm afraid that Dave is quite right.  It is pretty standard practice to have to sign a Bon de Visite/Mandate before visiting a property. If you signed one with the first immobilier they have you by the short and curlies.  If you go ahead with buying the house you are legally bound to buy it from them and no-one else. If you also signed a bon de visite with the second, cheaper agency, then things could get really interesting...

If you want something to eat with pork, and not to store, then it's pretty simple. Peel, core and chop into 1 inch cubes a few apples, 3 or 4 should be ample. Put in a saucepan with a just a little water, or white wine, or calvados if you like add a little sugar, one teaspoon for each apple if you like it tart, or more if you have a sweet tooth add 2 or 3 cloves (optional, but that's how I like it) you could also add a little powdered ginger if you like things spicy stew over a low heat, stirring occainionally, until the apples turn to mush, about 5 minutes normally taste it, now you can add more sugar or liquid if you like, taste it again, play around with it until you have something you like. Remove the cloves and serve.  

[quote]I come from another forum down in the Pyrenees Orientales and we have some very grumpy chap who signs himself Fred desperately trying to destroy or control our forum with rude and unacceptable comment...[/quote] Oh I think we know exactly who/what he is, Green Fringers. And you're quite right, he is of course here in France. I believe he's been banned from that other site now, so will doubtless be looking for somewhere else to post. Welcome to the forum by the way   The best way to deal with people like Fred is to ignore them, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

Ah, that would explain it then Hoddy! RFM (le meilleur de la musique, ooops no, that's a different thread) Quercy Rouergue were broadcasting severe storm warnings yesterday afternoon.  Someone must have warned them of Alcazar's arrival. The rains came, the suffocating heat has vanished, thanks Alcazar

[quote]Are you saying that there are now two outies? Alexis are you not puting 2 and 2 together and getting 5,outie was banned I think from TF.[/quote] I know, it,s all very confusing isn,t it?  The problem is that Outie has posted, and continues to post, on several different forums using various names.  This was of course before you,re time bouffon, as a relative newcomer here you would probably be unaware that Outcast was a bit of a troll, and was eventually banned. It,s probably best to ignore him, as to continue to speculate would only give him the attention he so badly craves. Personally I try to avoid feeding trolls, but very, very occasionally I make an exception.  

Ant, your scary things could well be frelons (hornets). Keep out of their way, they have a very, very nasty sting!  If you have a frelon nest the pompiers may be able to remove it for you. There was a thread about this that may be of interest to you... http://forums.livingfrance.com/shwmessage.aspx?forumid=282&messageid=92601#bm93426

Our lavoir in Salviac is still used by a couple of little old ladies, and several people use the fountain to draw water.

Back in blightie I only entrusted the care of my tresses to Tony & Guy (but at horrific prices).  Here I was told, by a french friend whose hair I admired, that Nadine in the main street in Salviac (next to the Rigouste flower/furniture shop) was good for haircuts but not so great for colouring. For highlights I used the next hairdresser along (odd that we have 3 hairdressers for such a small town). She is also on the main street, just on the Cazals side of Ricq et Doby immobiliers next to the bakery. I have used them both, and been very pleased with the results.  

Hi Manxie It's telling you that you need to remove the "Views Bar" in Microsoft Outlook Express (which although not a fix in the real sense should nevertheless solve the problem). To do this, open Outlook, and then go to the "View" menu and click on "Layout..." You will see a group of checkboxes, uncheck the "Views Bar" box and then hit the Apply button in the bottom right hand corner. It's a workaround, but hopefully should do the trick, and costs nothing to try.   Hope this helps

Again, not quite book swapping (and I think perhaps mentioned on here before) but... For anyone living near, or visiting, Cenac in the Dordogne, Nigel at the launderette there has an excellent free english book exchange.  There are usually at least 200 books available and you can exchange as many books as you like. It's opposite the creperie.

[quote]"Don't be taken in by probably one of only two mac user on this forum with his we are better than you rhetoric, this is an exert from a comparison website, answer the questions and then make your mind...[/quote] I'll stand up to join ranks with Dick and Hoddy, make that 3 Mac users here I use both Windows and a Mac, I have learned to tolerate XP, but I love my Mac, it's a simple as that.  They do inspire loyalty.  When I worked in software development in the UK, we developed for both Microsoft and Mac operating systems (in fact, one of our customers was Apple).  During the QA test phase of a project it was always Windows that threw up the most bugs.  An awful lot of "serious" software developers have a major dislike for Windows operating systems.  Ask them what they use at home, and it's likely to be a UNIX based system, or a Mac, or both! Having said that, for Windows users, a Mac can take a bit of getting used to, it's more intuitive, but you have to "un-learn" Windows first. And Dick is quite right to pour scorn on Microsoft for being so virus-friendly, never had a virus on the Mac, wish I could say the same for Windows  

[quote]When visiting the tropics many people use DEET. It is actually horrible stuff (tends to “dissolve plastic” so you “stick to things”). I hate the stuff but it is meant to work.Also, I was told that i...[/quote] Ian, I think you may have something there! I had a quick check, and found this... "Some studies suggest that taking thiamine (vitamin B1) 25mg to 50 mg three times per day is effective in reducing mosquito bites. This safe vitamin apparently produces a skin odor that is not detectable by humans, but is disagreeable to pregnant mosquitoes (Pediatric Clinics of North America, 16:191, 1969). It seems to be especially effective for those people with large allergic reactions. Thiamine takes about 2 weeks before the odor fully saturates the skin." That got me thinking, vitamin B1 is found in Marmite. I'm a real Marmite lover, it's the only "British" thing that I simply must have and I've eaten it on an almost daily basis for years. I've often found that mossies avoid me in favour of other people, they get bitten to pieces and I'm untouched by the horrid beasties. Obviously this doesn't prove a thing, perhaps it's simply that I don't have much of a sweet tooth, and mossies prefer someone a bit more "sugary".     

Hi Liz I'm on Tiscali, 5am to 5pm, like you.  The only time I had real problems with very slow connection was when an auto-dialler installed itself on my computer, and I was being connected to the internet via an overseas premium rate mobile phone number whenever I tried to connect via Tiscali.  Very, very expensive! Do you have decent anti virus and something like Spybot or HijackThis installed, with up-to-date definitions?  Also try checking in your network connections (control panel) to make sure that no new ones have been set up, and that the phone number on your Tiscali connection has not been changed to another number. Hope this helps

[quote]Well - I suppose you have to give them an 'A' for effort![/quote] ... but a D for grammar.

I'm in 46, not too far from Gourdon, but apparently here we have our own little microclimate, so it is often warmer than the temperatures in other nearby towns, with less rain. As Iceni has already said, the winter can be very cold at times, with night time temperatures dropping steeply.  Heating of some kind is an absolute must. Spring can be a bit unpredictable, but the autumns are lovely. Summer comes early, and from late April it is usually possible to eat outside.  Summer is long and hot, typically with a succession of several hot days, each a little warmer than the last, leading to brief but often spectacular thunderstorms, and then the cycle starts again. As a lot of the power is fed from overhead cables, lightning can often cause the power to fluctuate (brown-out) or cut off completely, but usually only for a minute or two.  In a previous life I used to work in the control room of what used to be the Electricity board, so I'd say that your husband was probably just unlucky to have been without power for so long.  Lightning can cause problems by arcing onto overhead powerlines and causing the high voltage supply to trip out, and it doesn't need to be a direct strike.  Usually the supply is able to restore itself straight away without any human intervention.  It is only if a tree is brought down in the storm, falling across power lines, that the power will be off for a long time. Or if a fuse in a secondary power station or fuse-box blows and cannot be replaced due to a fault on the high voltage system. Personally I love the thunderstorms, I just unplug the telly, phone and computer and sit back and enjoy the show (even if the roof leaks from time to time - luckily only over the bath - so no bucket required). I've just checked, and the temperature on my terrace is 33, and that's in the shade!  Not too bad for 5 o'clock

[quote]Thanx to everyone that has contributed in our efort to find a solution. We now have one that works:Place what appears to be the top of the oven (a large black enamel tray) on the lowest shelf. Place a...[/quote] Wow, really?  I'd wondered if something like that might work.  Good for roasting meat and the like I expect, does it give good results with pastry too, or would that be a little on the damp side? I'll have to give it a try, it's got to be better than sticking everything at the very top of the oven, halving the given temperature and cooking for 10% less time. Thanks Bob and Jane

What's a troll?   From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.In the context of the Internet, a troll refers to a person who makes inflammatory or hostile comments, which by effect or design cause disruptions in discourse, or a post made by such a person. Trolling can be described as a breaching experiment, which, because of the use of an alternate persona, allows for normal social boundaries and rules of etiquette to be tested or otherwise broken, without serious consequences... ...As a pejorative, the term "troll" may also be a slander of opponents in heated debates, a tactic often used by trolls and non-trolls. Many times a person will post a sincere message that they are emotionally sensitive about and trolls know that the biggest way to upset them is to falsely claim that they are a troll. On other occasions a person may not instantly understand or fit into the social norms of a forum where most people are the same - and so acting just slightly out of social norms, often unintentionally, for legitimate reasons gets the poster falsely called a troll. Sometimes when a person just wants to be funny, they are accused of trolling, when that is not their intent. Quite often, trolls have found traditional trolling tactics so overused and commonplace that they have to disguise their trolling to make it effective; and this disguising is largely done recently by falsely accusing anyone they can of being trolls.   Don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger

[quote]To make your own citric acid from bottled lemon juice (not fresh, as the acidity varies) is possible, but really not worth the bother. I found this reicipe, using lemons instead of citric acid, but h...[/quote] "You'll need 25 heads of elderflowers (rinse them well first), 2kg sugar, 2 litres water and 2 large sliced lemons. Put the sugar, water and lemon in a pan and heat gently, stirring continuously, until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool then pour over the elderflowers. Leave to stand in a covered container for 2 days then strain and bottle (seal loosely in case of fermentation - bottles with corks are safest!). Store in a cool, dark place. To drink, dilute with three parts chilled mineral water to one part cordial"  Well, I tried the recipe above, and the results were pretty good, especially if drunk diluted with a nice cheap sparkling white wine

Or did you mean the small (non-salt) device that attaches directly to the incoming water pipe, that relies on magnetism to make the calcium less adherent and reduce limescale? There is a lot of mixed opinion as to whether these actually do "what they say on the box" on not, but as they are relatively cheap I thought I'd try one anyway. I bought mine about 10 months ago, and although I wouldn't say it has completely eliminated the hard water problem (and here in the Lot, the water is about as hard as it gets) it does seem to make a difference. Whereas before the water was very hard, with an awful lot of limescale building up very quickly on taps/kettle etc, now it is just moderately hard. I still use the Calgon type tablets in the washing machine, in a kind of belt-and-braces approach though Unfortunately I can't tell you the make of the device I use, as it's tucked behind the washing machine and freezer in the cave, but I think it cost around 80 euros.   Hope this helps

Carole, I think it's likely that a swarm of bees have decided to set up home in your loft or chimney, especially if they have been there for more than 3 days. It is now the time of year that bees start swarming, searching for a new home for the summer. A few days ago some friends in my village had a huge swarm of several thousand bees descend on a tree in their garden. The bees stayed there for a day, and then departed, looking for somewhere more favourable. They (the bees that is) are now living in the loft of the (empty) house next to mine. It is not uncommon for bees to settle in loft or attic spaces, as they are warm and undisturbed there.  If they are becoming a nuisance you could phone the sapeurs pompiers, as they will have a list of local bee-keepers who may be able to remove the bees for you.  But be warned, here in the Lot this is no longer a free service, and can cost upwards of 100 euros!   

In my ignorance, I always supposed that the static radar speed traps were there as a deterrent. They are signposted beforehand to warn you of their presence, and are far more effective than a simple speed-limit sign, as they hit where it hurts (the pocket). The fact that their location is made available on sites like viamichelin only adds to their deterrent value. Temporary speed-traps set up by the gendarmes are there as a punishment.  There are many who think they are perfectly able to handle their vehicle at higher than allowed speeds, but then again there are many that think they can handle their vehicle at higher than allowed alcohol levels.  Are random breath checks seen as "sneaky" revenue generators too? Anything that France can do to reduce the appalling road fatality rate here can surely only be a good thing?

Another thing to consider is the excellent train service available in parts of France. I don't drive, and so when I moved to France one of the primary considerations was to be in a small town (village really by English standards) with all amenities within walking distance,  but also near enough to a railway station to allow easy access to the larger towns/cities if need be. We have 3 boulangeries, a butcher, a pharmacy, doctor, twice weekly market, shoe shop, clothes shop, 3 bars, 1 restaurant, flower/furniture shop, small independent supermarket, school and college, open air swimming pool all within 5 minutes walk of the house. And a railway station 15 minutes away running direct trains to Cahors/Toulouse/Brieve/Paris. The open countryside is literally a stone's throw from my doorstep, so I feel I get the best of both worlds. If quality of life is one of the main reasons for your move then the city life here may not be way to go for you, and could be no better than the equivalent in the UK. On the other hand I know quite a few people here who opted for the imagined tranquility of total rural isolation, but who, after a couple of years found the inconvenience of maintaining acres of land, and the necessity to use the car for even the shortest journey a compelling reason to search for something in a large village/small town. Accessabilty to ports/airports may be another consideration, I chose to be within reasonable distance of 4 airports, partly because of the uncertain future of some of Ryaniar's subsidised airports in France. To rely totally on just one "Ryanair only" airport is possibly courting disaster. Like you I worked in software development in the Uk.  Although I am not working (or indeed currently looking for work) at the moment, it is true that English/American is the universal language for software development (and I should know, as I used to work for a French software company where the primary spoken language, even for the French developers in the Paris office, was English). The opportunities for tele-working are far greater in your field, so you have a better chance of finding work without the necessity to live in a city. Good luck with whatever you eventually decide on.    

To make your own citric acid from bottled lemon juice (not fresh, as the acidity varies) is possible, but really not worth the bother. I found this reicipe, using lemons instead of citric acid, but have not tried it yet, perhaps if it turns out well you could let us all know "You'll need 25 heads of elderflowers (rinse them well first), 2kg sugar, 2 litres water and 2 large sliced lemons. Put the sugar, water and lemon in a pan and heat gently, stirring continuously, until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool then pour over the elderflowers. Leave to stand in a covered container for 2 days then strain and bottle (seal loosely in case of fermentation - bottles with corks are safest!). Store in a cool, dark place. To drink, dilute with three parts chilled mineral water to one part cordial" 

Mikey, either you entered the wrong URL for the Expat Telegraph link into the TinyURL tool for redirection, or you are deliberately redirecting readers to a (your???) Property Letting Business website!

[quote]I'm using AVAST! Its also a free down load and Its been excellent. There has been a spate of nasty nasty worms and trojans lately. Fortunately Avast seems to have got to them all without any cons...[/quote] I use AVAST as well, and find it very reliable.  As Andrew says, the home edition is free, and as new virus definitions can be automatically downloaded almost daily it always stays up-to-date. As for the NoAdaware issue, it seems that it does have a bad reputation in this area.  It could well be that it is reporting a false positive for Backdoor.ryejet. You might like to take a look at a discussion on the very problem you are having here http://forum.iamnotageek.com/history/topic.php/1819066323-1.html There is also a fairly damning report here http://www.adwarereport.com/mt/archives/000023.html Hope this helps