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JR I use the Dover Port website and Speedferries are not running today. They hope to start up at mid day weather permitting. http://www.doverport.co.uk/traffic.asp?skey=21&ckey=228   We don't suffer from sea sickness and use Speedferries regularly and have crossed with winds of Force 6/7. I believe wind direction is a big factor in deciding whether to cancel. Good Luck

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6194278.stm   Operation stack is causing chaos again. All travellers beware and allow extra time for your journey.

Our village which relies on tourism introduced charges for parking. Such was the anger among the locals that they also intoduced a scheme for locals, where all parking except the high street is free ( even here you can have 30 mins free) as long as you apply for and stick the "macaron" obtained from the Mairie to your windscreen. All you have to do is present your log book and the usual bill as proof of where you live and you are presented with a sticker with your car registration to stick on the windscreen. The locals are happy but it is amusing to read the comments in the visitors book in the Tourist Information. Most of the comments express outrage at the parking fees, not comments about our lovely village.    

Hi Angela I don't think Fay and  I needed much encouragement to wax lyrical about our favourite part of France. We have been to Rue market but not to the museum in the belfry, or the hydro electric station at Long, but thanks for the idea. For a small town the Christmas market is great and gets better each year we've been. Good luck with the book. Vanessa

Hi Angela I have to confess I haven't visited the Picarvie museum. The sunday market is in Place des Pilotes and often stretches down the promenade walk depending on the time of year. Its where all the cars park in front of Le Bistrot de St. Val and the Casino and La Terrasse. Sometimes the market is moved down by the little train station and the Port de Plaisance if there is another activity going on in the Place such as the Christmas Market, which is being held over the weekend of 2nd/3rd December this year. We love wild and windy le Hourdel. If you walk as far as the old German blockhouse you can see the seals out on the sand bank at low tide ( better with binoculars). The sheep are an amazing sight aren't they? There is a bar half way along the promenade that does the mini golf and we have enjoyed a drink on a hot sunny day under the trees watching the sheep come down to the waters edge to drink. Next time you are passing please see if we are about and say hello! ( Ours is a maison secondaire ) Vanessa 

Hi neighbour I loved reading your description of the beach beyond LeCrotoy. We have been to Plage de la Maye which is a bit further on towards Marquenterre. We were careful to check the tides and walked out towards the sea at low tide. Could only just see the sea with binoculars but there were lots of birds as we were so close to the bird reserve and seals on the sand banks. It was a lovely hot day and the horizon was shimmering like a shot from Lawrence of Arabia. Every now and then a tractor would chug past us pulling a trailer full of crates for the mussels they were going to pick. We bought some moules de bouchot from their shed by the side of the road on our return. Couldn't have been fresher. What is your beach called? We have been out to Le hourdel on our bikes but haven't done the Bay yet. Vanessa  

I have had my account for about 16 years + and have paid for my CB and 3 euros a month for internet access. I will have to read their charges leaflet as this has never appeared before. Thanks for your reply.

This appeared on my bank statement with a debit of 2 euros 50 for the first time on the first of the month for October and November. Can anybody explain what its for? Thanks

I have a friend with youngsters who love the beach and go round to Le Crotoy for swimming. However I know you still have to be careful but  they have found a safe place to bathe. Sorry I can't tell you where at the moment but if you are interested I can quiz her next time we meet.  

Yes you are right, the town beach is at the end of the promenade walk. Its not a bad patch of sand but there is no bathing as it is so dangerous ( currents etc ) In the summer there is a beach bar / cafe which is a lovely spot to watch the sunset with a glass of wine and a bowl of moules but as beaches go you can't beat the one on the opposite side of the bay at Le Crotoy. Southerly facing and white sand.  

Thanks for your reply Lassie. Whereabouts are you? Also can I ask what sort of boiler you chose? Ours in the UK is a new condensating boiler and although it was very expensive our gas bill has dropped loads.

Hi there neighbour. Thanks for the information. Congratulations on your first blue dot.

Hi there neighbour. It sounds jolly reasonable to me too.We will be asking for a cost to be connected.  

Thanks for asking your neighbour. I can interrogate my neighbour on our next visit. I think its propane we use and yes its the oven thats rather fierce, the gas hob is fine. What is accrobranche? Don't have my big dictionary in the UK and Babel translates it as it is.

We are in St Valery sur Somme and we use bottled gas for cooking or should I say cremating at the moment! However we use a Godin and a log fire for heat and when it really gets cold ( not often ) we are slaves to them both. A new condensing boiler as we have in the UK would be bliss.

We are in 80 and would like to know if there is a standing charge for natural gas in addition to what is consumed? As suggested elsewhere we don't fancy eating brussel sprouts and become self supplying.

Thanks for that idea Chris. We used to rely on Baked Beans but can't stand them now. We are obviously truly integrated. Have you all been on the magic mushrooms? This forum has gone a little loopy. Thanks for the serious answer Cassis. Already been to Gaz de Fance but couldn't find a mention of prices.

There is town gas in the street but we are not connected. Is there a monthly standing charge for gas in addition to the charge for gas used?

Where are you?

I want to improve my French 'listening' by using the radio. I don't have one at the moment and its going on my Christmas wish list. Can I assume from I've read a DAB type radio will be of no use to listen to French radio stations in the UK?  

Can someone please remind me of the key phrases the children use e.g trick or treat etc.

Same thing happened to us. Assumption day is a bank holiday here and we were unaware. We were using an electric sander while painting our house. A young man came storming out of next door telling us we could not make a noise on this day. Our neighbours fought our corner and reminded the young man how he woke everyone at 3 in the morning returning from a night out with his car stereo on maixmum volume. He left ans we continued sanding by hand!

Has this problem been sorted or are there still delays?

We are with credit mutuel and they usually send a letter saying the new cards are ready for collection from the branch. I usually fax them and ask for he cards to be sent, which they do and charge the postage to my account. They also require a signed receipt to be returned saying you have received the cards, which they enclose with the cards. Good luck!

the price varies as to how booked up the crossing is and and how close you are to going.Easter, a popular time for many people will mean the crossings get booked quickly. we have found just altering the times in and out on the same day can alter the price. Its still a whole lot cheaper then the opposition and the further ahead you plan the more likely your cost will be £50.00 for a return journey.