Fantine<br><br><br><br>Susie

Is it possible that someone in the household has a urine infection? My aged FIL had one and the smell was awful and lingering, despite cleaning thoroughly, until I got the doctor out and got him some antibiotics.

[quote]Considering the size of Brittany, the report there was crap. Who reads rubbish like this to decide where to go just on one person's personal preference and who, most will have never have heard of befo...[/quote] Well I did describe it as an "interesting overview", I didn't say it was a 'good' article :lol: Aquitaine's decription is not so hot either. For such a large and varied department, it concentrates on buying baked beans and the like.

[quote]**What do you do that is very French, that you really couldn't do in the UK?**Successfully avoid Brits!(There was no possible way I could pass-up a straight-line like that!)[/quote] I'm sure that there are many on this board with the same sentiments Ray

An article in todays Times gives an interesting overview of different Regions for those of you still deciding (you'll probably have to cut and paste the link, sorry): http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2098-1759777_1,00.html

"Cou Cou" is probably what was said. It's used with children to say Peek-a-boo, but is also a general phrase to catch someones attention etc. Were they being called back having left something, or the person who said it maybe wanted to wish an 'au revoir'/'bon journee' to them? - maybe they forgot to pay!!

You can buy automatic dosers of PH regulator and chlorine, ideal for people like you who are away from the pool for longs periods. I think Andrew/Hendo is away this weekend (from reading another post) but he supplies them and can give you more info. I'm sure he'll reply early next week.

We now have my OH's 86 years old father living with us. Since 3 years ago he's been spending half the year in the UK and half in France but has now settled here full time.

[quote]The only way I can guarantee that my cream is how I want it, is to use creme fixe or one of the other products en sachets. I buy those small boxes of Elle et Vire creme liquide and keep them in the fr...[/quote] TU, that is the first time I've heard of Creme Fixe. I can't remember noticing it in the baking sections of supermarkets - where do you get it from?

No loo roll at my son's college either (he started 6e yesterday too). It's kept at the Vie Scolaire but I've given him pocket tissues just in case. Must be worse for girls.

"What will the wine be like from the dry areas? anyone know or any ideas?" I would hasard a guess at a small but very 'good' crop - possibly a good vintage year but hey, what do I know about viticulture!

[quote]Everything is amazingly green here for this time of year. Even the football field is lush and green, usually it is scub and bare earth now. Needless to say we have had quite a lot of rain, but no sno...[/quote] Had torrential thunderstorm wednesday night/thursday am and with the heat we've got most things are greening up nicely thankyou. Might even cut the grass tomorrow - first 'proper' cut since early spring!

You should at least get an E111 from CPAM if travelling to another European country.

[quote]Another tragic tale. How could such a young child be left alone. Also I was wondering if this had been a salt water pool could this child have been saved. After all it takes a lot longer to d...[/quote] Is that true? Never heard it before. I have an 'abri bas' over my pool. When my 7 year old asked to go in the other day I asked her to wait half an hour so I could finish a job I'd started. 10 minutes later I heard the kids in the pool (7, 11 and friend of 12). Naturally I was very angry with them for going in (via the sliding door - the abri was fully 'down') and reprimanded them accordingly. But then I realised it was my fault for not locking the sliding door - which I now do and hide the key. It's not just toddlers who are at danger - pools can be very dangerous places unsurveilled.

We've discussed this some time ago (probably not searchable now). You need to get a vinegar 'mother' which starts off the vinegaring process. Try doing a Google search on 'vinegar mothers'. I seem to remember someone in the States selling them on-line. Thanks for the link. They have a book on vinegar making for 6 euros - maybe you should order one

[quote]A few years back my wife and I were in a restaurant in Meze(34) and saw what looked like Rick at one of the other tables-just enjoying his food-no cameras about.He was wearing the same blue shirt as i...[/quote] I met Rick Stein at his Seafood Restaurant in Padstow a few years ago. Funnily enough he was wearing (the same?) blue shirt - just checked the photo. He's extremey shy and has a very limp handshake, but is a really nice guy

"They also use a tractor type vehicle with long hydraulic hoist arms" A Manitou I believe.

The book to accompany the series is out in September and you can pre-order it on Amazon at a discounted price. My OH loves Carpaccio of beef. Our local resto had it on last year's menu but not this year's, so for his birthday I asked for it to be made especially, which they did do - a massive platter of it sufficient for 4 people for just 12 euros, delicious!

[quote]Car costs? Haven't needed mine serviced yet but insurance and diesel are cheaper and no road tax. So why do they think it's more expensive? Puzzled, Graham[/quote] Possibly because France is that much bigger and you have to travel further afield just to get around to basic services/visiting?

[quote]Where??[/quote] Possibly somewhere near Riberac in the Dordgone!?

I'm not completely sure about this, but 'Dash' I think is the French name for Bold. I too have very sensitive skin to washing powder but I find Aerial very tolerable; have you tried that?

I would recommend using an apple that breaks down a bit with cooking; Canada Gris would be the best one to choose IMHO.

[quote]And another from me - its many years since we have been that way but I remember finding those trees strangely oppressive after a while![/quote] And I'll add the same vote on behalf of my Mum who whinges like Hell about it when they come up from Gibraltar to visit.

[quote]No, sorry, the most interminably boring bit of road in France must be the N10-E5 between Bordeaux and Bayonne! 150km of nothing but commercial pine forests, all at 110km/h, with the only light(!)enter...[/quote] I was going to post this earlier but got timed out - so that's at least three votes now, the clear winner so far?

More info here http://www.educ-envir.org/~ecospher/insectes/forum_questions/Question/a/a8.htm nice picture !!

The GRETA run courses at Riberac re-start week commencing 12th September and there is an information meeting on the 8th September at 3.30pm where class days/times/ability will be sorted. It is on the first floor at the Palais de Justice and anyone interested is invited to come along. The Formatrice, Isabelle, is an excellent teacher and I would recommend her classes.