Wendy

'Elf and safey does not exist in the supermarkets here. I have lost count of the number of times I have walked by smashed bottles of oil, beer and other such slippery stuff in the aisles of Intermarche, Carrefour and Le Clerc, and not within at least 30 minutes has the mess been attended to or had a 'danger' sign placed nearby. My first introduction to a French supermarket was at the big Champion in Pezenas in 2001. Someone, a child maybe, had vomited bigtime at one of the checkouts near the entrance, we passed by it. 45 minutes later the mess was still there. I have to say I have never been in a Champion, anywhere, ever since[+o(]

Twinkle, no matter about pyjama's 'cause me and the OH never wear any[6] I promise not to pinch your tutu but if your keep waving those knees about like that...[;-)]      

Go to www.ourinns.org and go to the bottom of the page where it says 'owners page'.  Follow the directions for 'add a property'. The listing is free, for as long as you wish and with no strings attached[:)]

Well, I say *** to what is provided and expected here. I always have. I wonder why the school staff do not see things the way you put it? The French in general need to stop being such a bunch of sheep. They do as they are all told and that is the problem, they could really make this country something great if they put their heads together...like they did in 1790 except actually do it right this time![:)] Post edited by the moderators. Users must not post messages which: Contain explicit language or vulgarities (whether written in French, English or any other language)

Cathy; Do our kids have the right to an uninterrupted education? The right to take their lunch either in the canteen or a sandwich in the playground?

Hmmm. And I thought kids mattered in this country...they say the schools are open, fine, we parents can watch them eat their lunch if needed. Why not? What great publicity for this country it would be if parents were openly abused and attacked for looking after their kids at school. But while they are at it they should also strike in order to work for longer hours and be paid accordingly. I do not understand how people raise a family in this country on 8.44 euros an hour. The French I speak to are against this 35-hour week rubbish, they want to work more often and be paid properly for it. Its a ridiculous way to run a country!  

Carole, do you have nice neighbours who are willing to convey such information should the need arise whilst you are at home?(assuming you live on your own that is).  I once lived next door to a lady who frequently suffered asthma attacks and quite serious one's at that. She also wore a bracelet like yours as she had many allergies( we have had them in Australia for many years ). I had to call the ambulance service several times after routinely checking on her and was able to inform the ambulance workers her needs as stated on her bracelet. Just in case. It's a good idea. I think this is one important area where the French need to catch up with the times.

As opposed to what? I was answering Russet's comment.

Puzzled; in Australia years back when a school strike was called the parents committee got together and organised a group of same to supervise the kids in the playground outside of lessons...why can that not be done here? Would any parents here be willing to supervise the kids at their kids school for an hour whilst they ate a sandwich in the playground? Or would that be against one of the many petty laws they have here in this country? I suppose for the teachers to do this would impede on this countries 35 hour week-nonsense. No wonder they want the kids to either eat at the canteen or at home. Kids should not stay home from school because the canteen's on strike...for pete's sake!!

Well, my son came home from College today and gleefully announced that he does not need to go to school on Thursday. That says it all to me. What are they 'greving' about this time? Tourangelle I always send my son to school with a couple of sandwiches, some juice and some fruit for the break before lunch and the break after lunch. I think going from 7.30am until 12.30pm is too damn long without a snack of some sort for growing teenagers. And going from 12.30pm until 5pm is ridiculous without some same form of sustainance...my son takes food and eats in between even though it is frowned on. Sorry but my boys were raised on regular healthy snacks and I reckon that a typical French school day is a lesson in starvation tactics. Why do they not give the kids a huge basket of fruit and some juice/milk to go at mid-morning/mid-afternoon? I will be keeping him home on Thursday, but if I did happen to send him to school he'd be going with a picnic basket...my kid eats no matter what[:@] And he most certainly does not need to be supervised while doing so!  

I am well familiar with British history Russet...a 'state' religion that was founded on both divorce and uxoricide. Yet has since down the ages frowned on both. Divorce in particular. Just as well we had the ancient Greeks to give us the word 'hypocrisy' otherwise we would never have known what to call it[:)]    

Rose, I can bring my harmonica if you like...or the 'woka woka woka' board we all learn to play in Australia thanks to Rolf Harris.  I cannot promise that I will behave but I will use my tray when the need arises. I am well trained in that respect.

We were there in August 2003 and there was no way you could gain access to the village without first paying and going through the museum. How on earth could you NEVER see the museum unless you ignored it's presence? I just suspect they have changed the conditions of access, most probably due to complaints, since we were there. We live right near the Rivesaltes camp near Perpignan, where the French willingly co-operated with the Nazi's and detained and transported Jews from France to Poland. We have travelled throughout Europe and even visited Auschwitz...we did not need to view yet more one more museum that day in 2003. We wanted to see the village. Strangely, at about sunset (6.pm) that day a museum administrator walked about the village telling us 'stragglers' to leave the village as it was 'closing time'. My husband was still taking photographs of the square and was approached by this man and was told to leave. He told us the place was officially closed for the day. When my husband was previously there in 1998 a plaque that was in place there officially stated that the village was to be made available, free of charge and free of restriction, to all generations forever more in memory of what happened there. Those actually were the words and express wishes of Gen. Charles de Gaulle all those years ago. It was not there when we visited there in 2003. But the museum was. That is why some people 'hop the fence'. Sunday Driver: Why does one need to pay money in order to pay one's respects? The village is where it all happened...we all know where the entrance fees go. Into pockets.    

Really? I thought you only had Conservatives in the UK...this is France! The President de la Republique Francaise is raking around Europe with his impregnated Italian ex-model companion causing all manner of problems for those prim and proper keepers of the Queens accommodation in the UK when he visits there soon. I would have thought the French invented the word 'deviant'...until the British Royal Family, i.e Charles and Camilla, came along. Perhaps I am wrong?

Anton you are a sweetheart. There are two of those creatures between us and the road. Taking into account your advice we have now located: * several Dutch and German channels(obviously on the wrong satellite and total non-runners here) so we have moved on... *Sky News UK - it is flakey but at least we are seeing Eamon Holmes ( I like him) * Channel Four Wales - well, at least we have pictures now, even if the people are speaking backwards (mean't in jest I might add). Tomorrow we will keep at it. Thanks Anton here's one for ya...[kiss] And thanks to everyone else here for the assistance as it has all helped...[:D]    

Wooly B's bro - I just hope you made that 'lucky lady' happy in certain other ways if not with matrimony[:)] There ARE better things in life[:D] [:$] Where is Wooly B for that matter?...[8-)]  

Tried everything suggested and today are changing back to the old dish to see if the new cables etc work with that one. We have a signal strength of 99% but absolutely no picture at all, I would have thought that a fragment of a picture would be picked up... but not a sausage. If nothing works after this last effort Im picking up the phone tomorrow, will let you's know how it goes[:)]

Separate accounts are legal???...this is new to me woolyb. Two years ago my credit agricole account was some 30 euros overdrawn - the bank manager actually called my partner and informed him!! He asked my OH what was HE going to do about MY account!! I duly attended the branch, settled the overdraft and told Monsieur le Manager EXACTLY where to shove his nose. I closed the account soon after. The bloody hide of him!  

I also promise to bring a whole basket of vegemite sandwiches, now there's an offer you can't refuse!

That does it, if Katie's going then so am I. Can't wait to sit on her lap and have her tickle my chin. Bugbear...can I sit on your bike and go 'vroom, vroom'?[:-))]

Cooperlola, also take into account the droves of young French filing into Ireland, Dublin in particular, for jobs in the hospitality industry.  Why? not only to work but improve their english language skills, just see how many work at the airport there and can hardly speak english let alone gaelic...what irony. Here in France unless you can speak French they won't employ you at all...try telling an employer you want the job so you can improve your french speaking skills...they laugh and fob you off. If only the french were more tolerant and accommodating with regards to foreigners as other countries are. They are too discriminatory here and that's a fact[:@]

My thinking is that you will have to pay into the system bigtime here before you get your treatment. Having a French mother won't make it any easier...I have a French born child and still have to pay up here. I would say you will have to wait at least three months after you move here before you can start the process. It is also a point to remember that fertility treatment in France is illegal after the menopause. Which is fair I would say. Anyway, good luck in your quest to become a Mum...it is all worth it in the end[:)]

Hmmm, a one year marriage - you have to wonder why they married in the first place[;-)]

I, for one, promise not to shatter anyone's illusions... will there be trees?...I'm usually kept on a long rope and wear a sign that says 'do not feed'[;-)]

I'd be interested to know how she managed to remain in France so long when divorcing after just one year of marriage.I know that in the UK if you are not a British or EU citizen, your right to remain there is terminated if your marriage/engagement/ relationship with the EU/British citizen ends. I would think that she was only entitled to EU rights, albeit spousal, whilst she was married to her Frenchman. But she has been divorced for how long?...