Simon-the-censored

Wow PaulT - you do know how to enjoy yourself don't you! Simon :-)

Sure is possible : https://www.fdj.fr/ Definitely the offical FDJ site Good luck ! Simon :-)

Sunday Driver - please stop trying to confuse matters ! The info on the NHS site has not been fully updated - best thing to do is to call them on the number given. E106 holders DEFINITELY have their EHIC's issued by the UK - just got mine last week! My local CPAM would not issue a French card this year (as they have done for the past 7 years). Quite simply - the EU country responsible for the 'payment' (directly or by S1 transfer) of your healthcare will issue your EHIC. Simon :-)

Actually, it very much depends on how your 'payments' are made into the French healthcare system. Since 1 May 2010 - EHIC's are issued by the EU country responsible for the provision (payment) of your healthcare. If you pay directly into the French system then France will issue the card. So, if you have a transfer of benefits from the UK to France by using, for example, S1's (old E106 / E109 / E121) - then the UK issues your EHIC even if you are French resident. In these circumstances the French authorities will no longer issue the card. A UK issued EHIC for French residents will cover you for treatment in the UK. Call the UK Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 191 218 1999 - very helpful. Simon :-)

Sounds like the English speaking stand-in is just doing a short-term holding job and has become just another reason to strike....(doesn't take much but it's a right blah blah blah...!) Guess it depends whether or not the job holder is implicitly required to speak French from a contractual point-of-view. I wonder what local and European employment law has to say on language ability or requirements of ANY job holder?? Is 'native' language ability taken as a given when applying for or being allocated a job? Simon :-)

Pretty pathetic but...would it be any different in the UK with a French only (or any other language for that matter) speaking 'boss'? There are loads of ways this guy could handle the 'issue'. Guess the 'workers' won't want to loose their jobs if the factory closes down so there must be a compromise position until a French speaking replacement is appointed. Difficult to comment fully without knowing all the facts but looks like this is just one of many issues at the factory.... Simon:-)

Chancer - don't think anyone is taking it as 'gospel' but thanks for the reading lesson - just another nutty French politician on the loose! Here's a link to the story in Midi-Libre back in January - looks like it's old news : http://www.midilibre.com/articles/2011/01/24/A-LA-UNE-Un-depute-UMP-veut-reglementer-l-usage-des-drapeaux-etrangers-dans-les-lieux-publics-1517434.php5 Oh and btw - the Daily Mail doesn't even make it into the 'rag' category! Simon :-)  

Shame about the Catalan flag as well - lovely colours.... Simon :-)

  Says it all really...Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité....I don't think so......!! http://www.connexionfrance.com/Union-Jack-foreign-flags-ban-French-public-spaces-view-article.html Time to get the bunting out! Simon :-)  

knee gel - brilliant vid! Nobody has explained WHY it's a 'No-Touch' hand wash system - you're about to wash your hands so why does it matter??? Get's me so wound up because it's such a blatant rip-off. Simon :-)

I know this is banal and completely unimportant but I just don't get it... If you don't know the product or haven't seen the add - here it is : http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/dettol-no-touch-hand-wash-system-green-tea-and-ginger_1_160580.html Now then - can anyone explain WHY an automatic hand gel dispenser is more hygenic than a manual pump one? Push the pump - gel comes out - wash hands = hands clean. Just humour me - it drives me mad when I see / hear the ad. Simon :-)  

emmmm was there something about my post you didn't understand. I have the dual sim phone that BA sell - brilliant - behaves just like a phone, in fact 2 phones ! I have one vodafone UK sim and one Orange France sim in it. Easy Simon :-)

Hi just john - BA do a great one for £79 link here http://www.highlifeshop.com/p-2035-dual-sim-mobile-phone.aspx You need to call them on +44 870 241 0777 for delivery outside the UK - unless you're flying of course and you can get it on board. You can use it anywhere - it's fully unlocked and accepts any sim cards. Simon :-)    

Simple , for an hour a day just pick up a PAYG dongle in any of the French network operator shops (see above in post), or on-line, or in, most large supermarkets. Or - just go and put yourself in a free wifi hotspot for an hour a day (e.g. any McDonalds, hotels etc) - again full maps and details available on-line. Never use a UK dongle in France - costs a fortune. Simon

Always makes me laugh when I see the words Customer Service and France on the same page - such a contradiction in terms! I often think there must be an opening for some kind of nationwide service delivery programme and then.... I look at the French side of my family and realise it's a cultural change programme that would be needed - a whole different kettle of fish..... Very best of luck to M&S ! Simon :-)

Internet Explorer in compatability mode Simon :-)

galtezza - don't worry about comments from pachapapa - nobody else does.... Simon :-)

I am not worthy Quillan. I shudder in your presence and confirm that you have put me firmly in my place - well done! As a forum moderator (!?) I would have expected you to know that many contributors pick up a thread from the 'Active' list and don't select them on a regional basis. Isn't it just awful when people don't conform to tidy little rules about posting on forums. Give me strength..... Simon :-)

Quillan - your geography is amazing ! Mine's pretty good as well - I'm a pilot. Condescending and patronising don't even come close.... I WAS TRYING TO HELP - and you missed the point entirely. Simon :-)

Oh right Quillan - so Toulouse, Rodez, Marseille, Avignon, Barcelona and Girona are all in the Languedoc region are they? Only trying to be helpful mate! Simon :-)

Hi Mpprh - great list. You may also like to add Cityjet services between London City (LCY) and: Avignon Brive Deauville Nantes Paris Orly Pau Toulon ... amongst others Simon :-)

I love it - never get to go to a decent Burns night around these parts (unless I organise it!)! Might even wear my kilt this year :-) Simon :-)

Quillan - wow ! Heck of a comprehensive response - Thanks for this :-) Simon :-)

Just curious - on the subject of someone hacking into your wifi network... Has anyone ever experienced this or indeed know of anyone who has? Specifically I mean someone hacking into your own unsecured wifi network and doing damage / causing you problems / nicking your stuff etc No doubt it happens - I've just never spoken to / met anyone it's happened to! Simon :-)

Hi redwood - Orange France offer their dongle from 10€ per month without contract - depends how much you need to use it. Link here: http://mobile-shop.orange.fr/forfait/cle-3G-sans-engagement Or as Quillan says just go into an Orange shop (or order on-line) and pick one up for 69€ (with 30€ refunded but think you need a French address / bank account) and you top it up on-line. Essentially you buy time which can work out pretty expensive with this option but - if it's only for a holiday.... Link here: http://boutique.orange.fr/ESHOP_mx_orange/?tp=F&ref=39008&IDCible=1&type=11&donnee_appel=ORESH All the operators dongles work on Wifi, 3G and GPRS networks - so the coverage is normally pretty good no matter where you are. Simon :-)