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Hmm I know the bridge. even searched under it to see the roman origins, but didn't know it was famous for other things. Just a point for SB : the bypass is now open, so you won't go over this bridge on the way to Sommieres (also known for dealing) anymore when coming from the South. And another point for SB : When did they build the Salinelles bypass ? Just found it this weekend. Peter

Hi meteo France has an orange alert : Mistral & Tramontaine up to 140 km/hr. I was surprised this morning. We had a bit of breeze here, then I drove to Nimes and it was blowing like crazy over there. Interestingly my dept (34) wasn't included in the meteo warning, but all around us were. Peter

Hi don't know the answer but 12000 l of **** weighs more than 12 tons. It's an awful lot of **** ? Peter

[quote]It obviously wasn't a real one then, Peter, because I didn't have an orgasm. I'll know better next time, and will try harder. Lattes museum has been on the to-do list for a long time, can't think w...[/quote] Perhaps you should buy one of the Bill Oddie books to further improve your twitching technique ? Peter

Hi Ours has become skilled at catching lizards. He stalks them, then stuns them with both feet after an heroic leap. The next stage is long drawn out and includes dismemberment, rolling on them,lots of tail wagging etc before finally eating them. Don't see as many as we used to .......... and many of those I've seen are missing tails. Peter

Hi our local regs are 3m too. This would include SB, I guess. Haven't heard about any changes. Peter

Hi Well summarised Paolo. Just to add that various directories are used by smaller search engines and many web sites as a source of links. The most important one is DMOZ. Once listed there, you will be gradually picked up by a lot of other sites who will link to you, thus helping your optimisation. DMOZ is also used as the basis for the Google directory, but people tend to use searchrather than plough through directories these days. Google has a page ranking system. Your inward links should ideally be from a higher page ranking than your own. Quantity of content definitely helps. Good optimisation is a slow process, but essentially free. Many of the companies offering paid, automated optimisation, are cowboys. Peter

Hi SB don't know if you know (if you follow me !) but the local twitchers are going orgasmic over the grey herons. They used to fly South from Alsace & Germany, stop at Mejean for a snack and then continue to South Spain / Morocco. Well, possibly due to climate change, an increasing number are wintering at Lattes. And last year some spent the summer at Mejean, but wintered in Spain/Morocco. The Maison de la Nature ( http://www.ville-lattes.fr/loisirs_nature.asp#nature ) is building artificial nests, and they are hoping 150+ herons will winter in Mejean this year. Also worth a trip is the archeological museum at Lattes (just up the road) to get a feeling for Lattaya and its Stone age, Etruscan, Phoenician, Greek & Roman history. Useless information ? I'm your man ! Peter

Hi just worth noting that worldwide Google stats may not be valid. If these people use google, they will use google.nl etc How many Brit Gites owners have focussed their sites to be optimised for search engines in other European languages ? Just a thought. Peter

"Why do the gendarmes in our part of France seem to turn a blind eye to an increasing number of local Brits who drive the most clapped out RHD cars. These cars have no tax, and by the state of them no MOT or insurance, either French or British. Do the gendarmes really not know about the UK tax disk etc, etc. I can't beleive that these cars are never pulled over so what do the owners say to get away with it." Hi Firstly I own a clapped out white van......... and I've never been stopped, despite it being registered in France and being road legal. Secondly, British RFL is only of interest to the British tax man. Thirdly, it is estimated that there are 2m French registered cars on the roads without CT, insurance or valid registration. I have many local contacts driving RHD vehicles on British plates. One has been using his for 12+ years. So how illegal is it ? Well, if you have French insurance, and a French CT, you are left with failing to notify change of address (there is case law on this). As there is no TVA or import duty to pay, this is a pretty minor amount of fine to pay. It may well be cheaper than sourcing conformity papers for an older car. And providing you have not had an accident, etc driving without a current CT is a minor offence (reminds me I must take the van in for its CT !). In the event of an accident, you may have to prove that the vehicle met the legal requirements despite not having a CT. Here is an amusing story. I worked with a Belgian colleague who was resident in Sweden for tax purposes. He was responsible for Benelux, so spent most of his time at his Belgian house where his wife lived. He was entitled to 2 company cars (as was I). He had one registered in Sweden, one in Belgium. Where do you think he kept the cars ? Obviously, the Belgian registered car was in Sweden, and the Swedish registered car was in Belgium. No parking or speeding tickets, etc. So, the answer to why gendarmes don't investigate RHD cars on UK plates is ............ why bother ? Providing you sort out valid insurance cover, it is no big deal ? Peter

Hi I use my SFR phone in UK. I think I had to ask them to enable use outside France, and it costs about Euro 2.50 / month. True roaming uses the SFR nominated local suppliers. Your charges should be UK mobil to mobil charges + a surcharge. So, you don't need to dial 0044 . If you search through the terms & conditions you can find out about the surcharge. Peter

Ah Snow. I remember that: it's the white stuff they get up North. We get it sometimes here, Usually overnight but it's normally gone by 11.00am. I rushed out to take this pic a few years ago : http://tlp.netfirms.com/newphoto10.htm Peter

Hi From time to time I make a fair imitation of English sausage. Of course, it's not the same since it contains meat rather than eyelids and other nasty bits. Buy the plain chair a saucisse, mix in : some milk some breadcrumbs (dried out baguette through cheese grater) dried sage other stuff to taste (pepper, onions, etc) Cook in the oven as a joint, meatballs or sausage rolls Peter

Kings Head, Rose & Crown, The Ship, Duke of Cumberland's Head, White Lion, The Woolpack, The Plough, The Smugglers Den. + 1 x 24 hr Asda, and the lorry drivers cafe on the old A5 near the M6 junction. Should cater for my daily needs ! Peter

Hi This website explains the procedure. It has English sections, too ! http://www.apce.com Peter

Hi I thought that Gris was the "blush" type rose like Listel, etc No idea why it is gris, though. Peter

[quote]All alone on the beach, that was a case of "spot the Brit" then. Hope you had your handkerchief knotted in all corners. From October it's fur coat time! Terry[/quote] I think this should read "spot the Scandinavians + 1 Brit. In Sweden they believe it is OK to swim when the water is over 11C. I once got a rope stuck in my boat propeller in Sweden. I went over the side for 30 mins at 10C. Don't know if 11C is warm enough, but 10C is not. Very shrivelled. Peter

[quote]I would have said the same, Peter, that Odysseum is easier than Mosson, then I thought of the work in progress for Ligne 2. Isn't there a problem after Corum, or Corum Bis? I never go that far, but...[/quote] Hi Not sure about that. I get off at the Comedie ! Peter

Hi I'd contact these people : http://www.friendsinprovence.com I know they have builders near Avignon. Peter

Hi the hospitals are nearer to Mosson at the NW end of the tramway, but I think it would be easier for you to get to Odysseum near the A9 at the SE end. Follow the A9 and leave at the Frejorgues & airport turn. On the roundabout follow signs for Odysseum, tramway parking, centre. About 1km along follow the tramway parking signs (it is first turn on the right) and then continue to follow them for about a further .5km. The best parking is the secure parking area. The cost is Euro 3 which includes return tram tickets for each occupant of the vehicle (a similar deal exists at Mosson). Alternatively park for free and it is Euro 2.20 return per passenger. I think it is about 40 minutes from Odysseum to the hospitals. Peter

Could it be that the temperature results in shrivelled important parts ? Peter

Hi I'm not sure the Millau bridge will be so frightening. Unlike the Normandy bridges and the Dartford bridge, the Millau bridge is quite flat. So from the approach I don't think you will know you are higher than Denmark over the gorge. You can read about it and see some photos here : http://www.a75.com/viaduc.html Peter

Hi I don't seem to have a button ! Peter

Hi I think local rules apply here, too. My local prefecture told me that they no longer exchange EU licenses because they are valid throughout Europe, except in the case of infractions graves (i.e. need to put points on). I needed to change my license because I'd been using a non computerised Belgian license issued by a Flemish commune I hadn't lived in for 10+ years. Imagine losing your license and returning with the words "remember me ?" to sort out a replacement. On my next visit to the prefecture a few months later, I explained that I'd been stopped by the gendarmes for not stopping at a stop sign and they had indicated that I would be prosecuted. When I explained I was very worried they would not be able to put points on my license the Prefecture was more than happy to issue the exchange license. I'm almost sure I saw the fonctionaire smile ! From memory it was free. As I hadn't been stopped by the gendarmes, everyone was happy. Peter

Hi I'm pretty sure I've seen 1m10cm quoted. Don't know where, perhaps others can confirm. I'm wondering if putting a dog kennel by the pool (with dog, of course)would meet afnor requirements ? Peter