RayB

[quote]Good for you Will, you've saved another one. If you find a pet without any identity, two solutions : The first, which is to be avoided if possible, is to take it to a fourrière or a refuge. The fou...[/quote] You mentioned the Mairie. About a year ago we had a well-kept Golden Lab show-up in our courtyard. The first thing we did was ask at the Mairie. The Maire, who is also a personal friend came over and took a picture of it and then showed up in about two hours with a mother and two very sad young girls. Bingo! Apparently, the local procedure around here, and maybe elsewhere, is to contact various Mairies in a certain radius when a pet goes missing. This one was from a town about six miles away and just roamed off. Why is a long story but it had a quick and happy ending.

[quote]Why would you imply that Ty would be hanging around your vehicle? He's only suggesting that this action should be taken against the Brit's who are flaunting the rules by driving British cars with no ...[/quote] Would you agree that commiting a crime, even against another who is commiting a crime, is still a crime?

[quote]It is interesting and difficult to make comparisons between UK and France as for many (incl myself) it is down to individual experience and some experiences will be good, others bad.Several years ago ...[/quote] ** I NEVER speak English nor ask “do you speak English”).** Same here. On first contact I usually apologize for my poor French and continue in French.

[quote]'181 Uses Of A Dead Cat!'. What ![/quote] **What?** Go to: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/026-8931194-9304427

[quote]Normally it takes 4-5 days for me. It IS a terribly long way across the channel, you know! I even get stuff from the Colorado in about a week. Sigh! But do you know whether they are coming from Engl...[/quote] **But do you know whether they are coming from England?** I went and looked and it says 'Royal Mail'. I was really anxious to get the one. It is '181 Uses Of A Dead Cat!'.

[quote]Rayconsider yourself lucky. Parents in UK order book on Amazon on 5th September for my OH's birthday. It arrived last Friday. They had wondered why he hadn't said thanks, but were too polite to enq...[/quote] Normally it takes 4-5 days for me. It IS a terribly long way across the channel, you know! I even get stuff from the Colorado in about a week. Sigh!

[quote]Generally the postal service is excellent but I have had a parcel of books go missing. Also a friend was expecting a parcel from her parents in the UK for her son's birthday that took four weeks to ar...[/quote] Try and top this scenario! Oct 2 - Ordered two books from Amazon.co,uk. 3 - E-mail confirming shipment 10 - E-mailed Amazon . . Not recieved. 11 - Amazon reply says wait until 17th 19 - Back to Amazon - Not recieved. Today - Recieved books with stamp on box 'Missent to Iran'! IRAN?? Got e-mail from Amazon - Replacements sent today via DHL. ROFL! Is that wild or what??? The only problem now is that Iran has my name and address. Hmmmm?

[quote]Hey Yankee... Less than half of the population voted for Blair... Your country is the finest example of a self serving goverment of an insular gullible race that ever graced the surface of this poll...[/quote] LOL! What are you trying to say?

[quote]This reminds me of a couple of "extremely busy" women I used to know ( in the loosest sense possible) who would deliberately seek out parents whose kids had chicken pox for example. These women would...[/quote] Boggles the mind!! In the States. children are not allowed to start school without proof of vaccination.

[quote]Quote (RayB): “If you think that that is true, you are appearing to infer that Brits are stupid?”In this regard the British people are represented by a Mr. Blair. There are a range of opinions as to ...[/quote] Good Lord . . . . who on earth elected him for a third term?

[quote]It's fairly clear to me that this was simply a practical joke by some Guardian-reading lefties closeted in the Min of Def or Ag&Fish or elsewhere in the civil service. On the plus side it (presumably)...[/quote] **On the other hand, if Castro had offered some emergency sugar supplies...** Castro DID offer medical assistance. We have always offered them disaster assistance, as well.

[quote]I have no idea about the risks from eating British beef. I thought it was meant to be safe now (in fact I thought that even France no longer banned it). Is it possible that the US is using it as an ...[/quote] **(we do what they tell us, when they tell us, how they tell us).** If you think that that is true, you are appearing to infer that Brits are stupid? I don't think that to be the case at all. Just because you think it does doesn't mean a thing. We share many, many basic values and have come to each other's assistance many, many times.

[quote]So any mother that refuses to allow her child to have any vaccinations is stupid. Well I'm not a mother but I find that offensive. My mother wouldn't let me have a BCG at school and I would hardly say...[/quote] **So any mother that refuses to allow her child to have any vaccinations is stupid.** In a word . . . . YES!

[quote]"But, of course, all those hungry people in New Orleans were too fat, too American and too black to bother about, so let them starve." Quite right too, Dick. I don't often agree with you but there's ...[/quote] **"But, of course, all those hungry people in New Orleans were too fat, too American and too black to bother about, so let them starve."** What I wonder about is who the British 'Mental Giant' was who decided to send a known banned product to the US in the first place. I think it was a racist conspiracy to kill of the poor, black population in the US! (Well, it makes as much sense as the rest of this thread.) The obvious answer is that it is Bush's fault! Everything is, you know. I got this hangnail last week and let me tell you . . . .

[quote]I believe there are two separate issues raised here. Firstly, one of limited mobility person access and secondly limited mobility person community care. I cannot comment on comparisons between the ca...[/quote] **There may also be a cultural issue at play, in terms of public attitudes towards limited mobilty persons, between the countries.** It would be interesting to know if there is a difference in the number of disabled in each since the population in both is about the same. I see far fewer here than I did in the UK but then that could be the 'mobility' thing and they are just not out and about here.

[quote]I believe there are two separate issues raised here. Firstly, one of limited mobility person access and secondly limited mobility person community care. I cannot comment on comparisons between the ca...[/quote] **There may also be a cultural issue at play, in terms of public attitudes towards limited mobilty persons, between the countries.** Perhaps, there is some difference,I really don't know. One very big difference is architectural (sp?). Many French buildings are impossible to provide for such.

[quote]Thanks for that Ray, I have Ataxia today due to a drug I am on and it seems cannot do without (trust me I can't). Walking around holding onto everything I pass to avoid a fast meet with the floor make...[/quote] **Take care - and thanks for just being here.** Anytime!

[quote]We are in the Tarn and out of 5 large supermarkets, only Super U give out free bags. The Champion bags for life are lovely - I recently brought a bright pink very "chic" one - it only has a little ...[/quote] **But I don't think they really care do they?** I hardly doubt they would turn your business away! My wife just purchased two nylon/poly bags from Mr. Bricolage. They roll up into a pouch smaller than a fold-up umbrella, hence no storage problem. They have flat bottoms and clips that fit on the side of the chariot to hold them open. After filling it. it has velcro handles to keep the bags closed. They cost 4€50 each but considering the convenience it is a good price. Two of them will fit in a chariot leaving a bit to spare for large items.

[quote]UK Daughter 33 - waited 18 months for an urgent wheelchair as the old NHS one was broken (chairs have to be bespoke) as was the one SHE paid £8.000 for - please do not say she gets attendance allowan...[/quote] **My daughter wants to live on her own in the UK - she has decided that she wants her life on her terms. She is very brave - far more than I ever would be.** Good for her, Di! With that attitude she has every chance of doing so and I wish her every possible success. Insofar as you not being as brave as her, sometimes you don't find out until such time as you actually face it yourself. One tends to find out more about oneself when faced with adversity. You should be very proud of her.

[quote]Hi, I know that there is a company operating in the charente region, I have contacted them to see if they know of anyone more local to Mont St Michel & will let you know if I hear anything back. ...[/quote] **I have contacted them to see if they know of anyone more local to Mont St Michel & will let you know if I hear anything back.** Thanks, Fiona.

[quote]I received a private message about hiring scooters but lost it. Thank you to whover sent it - I'll certainly look into it.[/quote] **I received a private message about hiring scooters but lost it.** I would be interested in knowing about that.

[quote]Right from the beginning I've wondered how on earth people in wheelchairs manage in France. As TU said, it's bad enough with a child in a pushchair! Apart from access to buildings, there's the habi...[/quote] **There are relatively few wheelchairs out and about in France, even in the towns.** As a wheelchair/4-wheel electric scooter user, here are a few comments. Ten years ago we hardly saw any but now we see more and more. Normally, the largest town we are in is St. Malo (50,000) and we see them there and in smaller towns around us. Same in Rennes and Paris. All it takes to lead a fairly 'normal' life is planning. We have about a dozen restaurants with access that we like which takes care of our dining out. Buildings with Medical facilities all have access. Malls and supermarkets are no problem. Hotels with access are everywhere, just do your homework . . . even centuries old chateaux. Many attractions do not but many do. On those that don't my wife takes pix with our digicam or camcorder and I get to see it anyway. We are very active and travel around France often. I can't fly anymore but we have visited nine countries and I have well over a million miles in aircraft and don't miss it a bit. People can fly with their own chairs or rent them at their desinations. The secret is quite simple . . . Attitude! Face the fact that you are limited in certain areas and find ways around them or merely accept the fact that it can't happen. Being retired, I don't have an employment problem. Still, there are social agencies everywhere with training available for those without skills. Jobs are available. I could work today if I wanted to. Life is good . . . . it's up to the individual person to make it so.

[quote]Thank you all. I'll look into hiring a smaller one at this end (his own is one of the heavier sorts). I'd no idea you could take them on a plane, but if, as seems likely, we're going to have to driv...[/quote] ** I'll look into hiring a smaller one at this end (his own is one of the heavier sorts).** Do NOT forget 3rd party insurance for France. It will NOT be covered with UK policy.

[quote]Tried this on Health but didn't work. My elderly father will be spending next summer in France and will miss the independence his scooter gives him. Is it possible to rent these and if so how much? ...[/quote] Doubt that you will find a rental here. I always brought mine with me when going back and forth before moving here. I don't think I have seen more than half a dozen here in 10 years.

[quote]This is shamelessly copied from another board. It was originally titled "A MORAL VIEW" : MORAL QUESTION This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. By giving an honest answer,...[/quote] The last time I saw this one it was 'Hillary Clinton' and before that it was 'Bill' and before that it was . . . . . ! Yawn!