Tonyfuller

We're currently going though this in the UK before we move to France. So what we did about a year ago is to identify the plants that we want to take with us and have potted them (some in very large pots) so when the potential buyers look around the garden we can tell them everything except the plants in pots. They even get my two sheds and 8 x 10 greenhouse. And wouldn't you know it, this year we've had the best crop of tomatoes and courgettes for ages, ok for our last year here. Tony Fuller

Three triple sets of films coming out in September, each set of 3 in one package: Jean-Luc Goddard: Alphaville; Ene Femme est Une Femme; Le Petit Soldat Luis Brunel: Belle de Jour; The Diary of a Chambermaid; The Milky Way Jean Renoir: La Bete Humaine; La Grand Illusion; Le Crime de Monsieur Lange All available on line from either Virgin or HMV. The version of La Grande Illusion is the shorter version (by about 6 mins) but is worthwhile nevertheless. And Alphaville at last, Eddie Constandine being wonderfully remote. Belle de Jour, always worth watching - for people with a more robust turn of mind, try Maitresse, available from the BFI, now that IS an adult portion and when you see the reinstated bits (one of which involves a hammer, nails, a piece of wood and a man's wotsits) you'll understand why it was banned - not necessarily agree with the banning but that was then and this is now. Also available now is La Kermesses heroique, by Jacques Feyder, 1935, which is set in a Flemish town in the early 17th century. I've seen some of it and it's well worth buying if you like French classic films. It's available through the bfi web site. Tony Fuller

Hi Anne We have just set up our account with Britline and they couldn't have been better. The problem we had was with Barclays in England but once we had overcome that, everything went along swimmingly. Could I suggest that you may not have read all the instructions that came with the pack? The blue check sheet outlined everything and having just looked at out photocopies of what we submitted, it clearly states that the copies have to be certified and stamped. We've had nothing but great service from Britline. Tony Fuller

Couple of ideas that may help somebody. We've actually got a glut of courgettes atm which we've had to find something more creative than the usual saute with garlic, steam, whatever ...... I found a couple of good recipes. One is salmon encrusted with herbs with courgette cut into ribbons and then wilted in the excess herb stuffing/crust. The second is courgette and small pasta soup which is almost like a broth with grated courgette and tiny pasta in it - and the soup freezes really well. Have the recipes if anybody wants them. The second recipe is less labour intensive than the first but both are a good use for what might otherwise be a bland veg. Tony Fuller

Well guys, wouldn't you know it ... We finally get through the problems getting a reference from our local Barclays Bank (we don't do them, yes you do, no we don't sort of thing) and Britline says 'congrats, you got an account' than Barclays go and set up somthing called FranceSolutions which, according to The Times on Saturday's Money section last week aimed at people wanting to buy a property in France which ' ... includes a current account in euros, free euro money transactions within the single currency zone and access to English-speaking advisers.' So J has queue twice this week at two branches in London and we spent 40 mins queueing this morning in our local hub branch and guess what ... nobody has heard of it. We do however, now have a telephone number of the International department to phone about it on Monday - more postings to follow. Tony Fuller

Does anybody have a B&B for one night, 10th September, for one night please, also evening meal if that can be arranged. Thanks Tony Fuller

Does anybody have a B&B in the Alencon area please for one night, 9th September. Should be arriving about 4.30/5 and would also appreciate an evening meal if that could be arranged. Thanks Tony Fuller

Hi Guys We seem to be stuck in something of a black hole/catch 22 position with the application. Jenny has made the application and she has used her bank account with Barclays for a reference. She has plenty of money in the bank, has never been overdrawn, does all her banking on-line, has plenty of those pot things for seperate parts of her financial empire and has plenty of money going through the account and plenty on deposit. Barclay's idea of a reference is a few lines saying that 'this person has an account at this branch/within this group' and that seems to be it. Britline seems to want more but this evening we have received a note (sort of a comps slip) from Britline with a compliments slip from Barclays saying 'this is all that we provide' and that's it. Has anybody else been through this with Barclays and if so, PLEASE, how did you get through it with Britline? Tony Fuller

Catch mice, bomp on the head, clean and then skewer for the barbie, like satay in a stick. Already garlic flavoured, dress with a little olive oil, saves time. Tony Fuller

Couple of ideas - fig jam is just to die for, especially using lemon juice as the setting agent. Or figs wrapped in parma ham, but first cut the hard stalk from the top of the fig, cut a cross in the fig about 2/3 of the way down and put in some blue cheese. Wrap the fig in the ham quite loosely, put in the oven (180 for about 10 mins until the cheese melts) and then serve whilst still at least warm. Tony Fuller

Diana just beat me to it, I was going to post a similar message. J and I are signing up for it and the one week residential course in France next year, even though we hope to be living there by then. We're both OU students from way back when, my first course was studing the Common Market way back in 1974 I think. Tony Fuller

Today we did the first of our planned 'big steps', we sent the application off to Britline for our first French bank account. For anybody else considering this bank, they are now insisting that the applicants send them E150 with the application form. Now just wait to see whether there was some small bureaucratic oversight that means we get the whole lot back. Tony Fuller

Equally good are Sainsburty's organic or Good to Yourself oats - and you can use them to make the greatest flapjacks, great big oat flakes!!! Tony Fuller

Finally found time to post the list of French films: Boudu Saved From Drowning L'Atalante (which is available on video and DVD) Marius Fanny Cesar Le Grande Jeu A Nous la Liberte Poil de Carotte Justin de Marsailles L'Homme de Nulle Part The Cheat The dates of the film are broadly 1932 to 1936 and will be running from 1 June to 26th. There will be a second season later in the year. Tony Fuller

And there is also Johnny's acting career - L'Homme du Train, which I managed to pick up yesterday in the HMV sale. Tony Fuller