RayB

[quote]Mrs Gupta and her husband want to sell up and go and live in France for good, they plan on taking their fake cat business with them and start selling the fake cats in the Dordogne. I have tried to exp...[/quote] Well, perhaps! I just bought a book from Amazon UK named '101 Uses For A Dead Cat'. By buying a fake, you wouldn't have to wait for them to die or waste petrol trying to run over one.

[quote]It's a grey day here too Ray , and I have a b***dy cold !!!Grim all round.[/quote] We have been out doing errands this afternoon and it is really very pleasant. It's 18C on our deck and even warmer in the sun. Am I correct in thinking that you are over Finistere way? Sorry about your cold. The are a PITA! My father's suggested remedy for one was to go to bed with a good book . . . . or with someone who has read one.

[quote]Looks like we're in for another nice sunny day, Ray...[/quote] It is almost 1230 and the sun has just broke through up here. Standard coastal procedure. Enjoy!

[quote]"...Why, don't you think so? Are they being mean to you? If so, maybe there is just something about you."Oh no Ray, the difference is, I know a fair amount of French and on many a social occasion or j...[/quote] Nice try but no winner. Back to the 'Ignore' mode.

[quote]Ray is talking to himself...[/quote] Makes more sense than talking to some of you.

[quote]Shame Ray, You were being so nice and ignoring me become kinda normal but like many Americans I have come across, find it terribly difficult to smile for too long, as the grin becomes rather set and c...[/quote] Yeah, well . . . it's a dull, gray morning and I've read my mail and I'm bored. So, I thought I'd stop by for a dose of negavitism and pessimism . . . . and there you were. Thank you. May you have a day that brings you everything you have asked for.

[quote]Mmmmm Ray, may I ask just how many French you know, and from what region and just how well, as you are always saying marvellous the French are ? So can one take it from your post, that you know ALL th...[/quote] **may I ask just how many French you know, and from what region and just how well, as you are always saying marvellous the French are ?** Why, don't you think so? Are they being mean to you? If so, maybe there is just something about you. **So can one take it from your post, that you know ALL the French folk ?** Well, 'one' might but they would have to be rediculous to do so.

[quote]I'm back, just went for a change of clothes, now where were we?[/quote] You were making light of my sterling qualities. If only they were Pounds Sterling . . .

[quote]Christine, I would appreciate it if in my present condition people didn't make me laugh. I choked over that one.[/quote] Well, at least you're not preggie . . . . are you? You do look rather depressed in your avatar.

[quote]Ray, you always have a positive attitude and a great sense of humour. Please stay the way you are[/quote] Thanks and fear not I am 'positive' I will remain my usual rotten self and cause trouble. It's is so much fun to rile some people. Looked at your website. Good grief, I can't even imagine the effort you put forth to say nothing of the cost. Love animals but not in a physical position for anymore dogs. We have three Breton horses and a goat here on the farm but don't have to take care of them. The three cats are outdoor cats and no trouble. Keep up the good work. We admire your dedication.

[quote]Erggghhh, whoops, sorry just spilt my coffee reading that.......[/quote] Hmmm? I imagine the keyboard is too much to hope for.

[quote]One of the things that makes us smile is when we are picnicing, people walking by wish us 'Bon appetit!' Makes me smile too when they say it in McDo![/quote] **Makes me smile too when they say it in McDo! ** A pleasant gesture and a smile are welcome anywhere.

[quote]I have found some of these as well on the wall. Is the culprit the 'white bottomed fly' that was mentioned on LF a while ago? I didn't realise they were different to ordinary house flies until I b...[/quote] Our first house here had white marbled tiles. We coined the phrase - Merde de Mouche Pretty well covers it, oui?

[quote]'T u sais, le KKK, c'est mieux en Français. Le kaka ka. C'est juste, tu ne trouves pas? ' I do 'speak' some French but it is pretty is shocking (even I am[/quote] That's about the way it is with me too. I found a French expression that pretty well sums up my ability - 'Parler français comme une vache espagnole!' Teresa does quite well and better each day. Mine is slow because I am rotten when it comes to any other language and I don't have the amount of personal contact that she does. I drive and she does the 'running'.

[quote]Have a good day, Ray[/quote] **Have a good day, Ray** Thanks, Gay, and may you have one, too. It is a gorgeous day today with sunshine, a blue sky and no rain for a change. We have had high winds here yesterday and today. I read where Devon and Cornwall had 70 mph winds yesterday. I remember them well from our 10 years in Looe. I'm having one of my 'better' days and looking forward to getting out for a while this afternoon.

[quote]Ray... like the sincere words most Americans use daily prehaps...[/quote] **Ray... like the sincere words most Americans use daily prehaps...** Wow! How many of the 280 million of us do you know? How often have you been to the states? Where did you go? How long were you there? Impress us with how you got your expertise.

[quote]Came across an interesting couple at a drinks party, early 60s, early retirement, they moved permanently to the Lot in May. Lost the rose tinted specs pretty quickly though and are already having a m...[/quote] **Couldn't help thinking how they should have done some homework** You started a good discussion here, M. I had to just smile all the way through it. I think we all have run across these folks at one time or another. We DID do our homework before coming plus we had been coming to this area for the previous 7 years. We already had friends, knew where the shops were and had our favorites, etc. It was no more hassle than any move to a new house was. It has been over 3-1/2 years now and we love every moment of it. One of the things that makes us smile is when we are picnicing, people walking by wish us 'Bon appetit!'

[quote]Sorry but bon jour is not a kindness. It is an automatism, which is rather different.[/quote] **Sorry but bon jour is not a kindness. It is an automatism, which is rather different.** Sort of like 'Sorry!' in the UK, you mean? (g)

[quote]"Vraiment, parler français, c'est un morceau de gateau!" Surtout, si t'as une tronche de cake ![/quote] **"Vraiment, parler français, c'est un morceau de gateau!" Surtout, si t'as une tronche de cake ! ** I thought it was - Un jeu d'enfant.

[quote]just to slightly change the thread. after buying a house this year, and having the builders start, and putting plans in motion for a permanent move, the other half has picked now to tell me that she ...[/quote] **as for when to drink wine, remember "the sun is always somewhere over the yardarm somewhere in the empire ".** A wise man, indeed!

[quote]Thank you both very much for the information. I shall see if I can try to find where the battery is and also try the other things you say, I have Windows XP and today am still 1 January 2002![/quote] Actually, CA, your problem is tres simple! Your computer is a female and just will not grow old graciously.

[quote]The question of due dates for Tax d'Habitation has been discussed in the past and there are two dates 15/11 or 15/12. The date depends on the area of your property, so look carefully as any late payme...[/quote] We hadn't recieved our bill yet so we stopped at the TP and they printed it off for us. It isn't due until 15/12. They just hadn't sent them out yet.

[quote]Actually, they have tidied up Dinard airport, including removing all those cars (a fair proportion of which, it must be said, were from the Channel Islands). One can actually park there now! There w...[/quote] I know for a fact that they were towing Brit and Channel Island cars left parked for long periods of time in the 'free' parking area of BF in St Malo.

[quote]Its a chuffing joke you old cadaver! Don't get all born again christian on me! Zeb100... go buy a task disk...[/quote] **Its a chuffing joke you old cadaver! Don't get all born again christian on me!** LOL!! There is a joke here somewhere but I'll let others decide who or where it is.

[quote]I can drink red wine on its own and often do but only within an hour of supper ) whilst cooking) or after. I don't quaff the stuff all day ! I never have liked don't like spirits ( too syrupy) or whi...[/quote] Coming from a different time and culture than the UK or France, we are used to the 'Cocktail Hour'. The only time we drink during the day is if we are having lunch out and then it is a Kir before and wine with. However, an hour or so before our evening meal we do drink. I have always drunk scotch and water and my wife drinks Bordeaux usually. We will usually have two or three before dinner. After dinner, we couldn't care less about having more.