[Orange - new website]

OK - sorry - obviously hadn't explained myself clearly - I can be stupid at times.

When I mentioned orange web-site I really should have typed - the Orange e-mail section;  I've got this in my 'bookmark' side bar, which means I, normally, can click on this and go straight to the e-mail box.

It is this stage, going directly from bookmark sidebar to orange e-mail box, leaves out the having to sign in section every time.

I firstly go to the Orange e-mail page because I can filter out those I don't want to download - for whatever reason - into Windows Live;  it's just the way I prefer to do things and keeps Windows Live from getting bogged down with all sorts.

And yes - I do have the orange e-mail set up so that a lot of e-mails go into the 'spam' box immediately, and I have Virus protection as well.

Maybe it's something to do with my e-mail still being the '[email protected]' bit - and that Orange want my e-mail address to change to '[email protected]' ?  

Maybe I should just try logging on with the original password first given to me - funny mix of numbers and letters and see what happens.  Then if my account gets blocked I won't be very happy !!

Thanks for guidance so far - anyone else got any ideas. 

Chessie

[Orange - new website]

Just need reassurance.   Have the new Orange Box for internet;  I normally go to my e-mails that are stored on the Orange site, delete those I don't want to read, then use Windows Live Mail to pick up those I want to keep - confirmation of orders or to reply to e-mails.

Today, when I tried to pick up my e-mails I got a completely new page -

which asked me to change my password......... uuuhhhhhmmmmm

I'm paranoid about such e-mails;  it does appear to be genuine - but need reassurance from anyone else who'se encountered this.

Existing password is mix of letters and numbers, set up with account when signed-up with Wanadoo;  anyone know if I can continue with using same mix - or do I have to totally change password completely.

Sorry to be such a numbskull - but I really, really don't trust e-mails, even though they are supposed to be 'from Orange' - one reads of so many horror stories these days that I've become paranoid.

And yes, I've got AVast anti-virus - but still worry !!

Can anyone give me some words of guidance - would be much appreciated.

Thanks - Chessie

[Aesthetic question - replacing white goods with ?]

We live in a house where a new fully fitted kitchen was installed 12 years ago, with all the lovely fitted cabinets etc - and all the lovely sparkling white cooker, hob, extractor hood and dish washer - all in lovely sparkly gleaming white enamel.

Here's the problem;  two of the white boxes have commited hari-kari - the cooker and the dishwasher - the oven 3 months ago, and the dishwash last week.

I'd love to have a stainless steel new dishwasher, and a matching stainless steel front built-in oven.  

That would mean the hob and the extractor hood will be white - so I've got a mis-match.   Do I stick with the same white boxes, or do the stainless steel ?

We could be selling up next year - or the year after - or the year after !!  Oh dear....

What would be your reaction, if you were looking to buy a place, seeing the mis-match;  what would be your first reaction ?   Would it bother you in any way ?

Or do I just hope that the hob joins its friends and needs replacing soon.....   

Not a serious question but just interested in everyone's views before I go and put a big dent in our bit of savings;  and it will be a dent because we'll need to 'find a man' to remove and instal these items for us as well.

Chessie

[Legal standard words/format to cancel car insurance]

Thanks very much AnO - excellent info - you see - I knowz people on here knowz a lot - very grateful.

Chessie

[Legal standard words/format to cancel car insurance]

Would so appreciate some help here please.

Have to cancel our car insurance (yes it's within the time frame).   But to avoid any legal wrangling, or problems with insurance brokers because my written French isn't that great -

Please - does anyone know or can paste on here - the exact, correct letter to be used to an insurance company to cancel an insurance (which incidentally we didn't ask for, didn't need - and actually don't have a contract for - and that's a long story not for here !!).

But I have to be very clear, very precise - and if anyone can help with the exact terminology I would be deeply grateful.  I knowz you all knowx 'cos you's all lovely, clever, helpful, informative bods -

Chessie

[EU Membership??]

Right - I just knew there'd be the sneering reference to 'the red tops' - some people just can't help themselves;  and the comments about people 's knowledge of the world is contemptible - what gives someone the right to make such nasty statements - same people as refer to the 'white van man' - who we all need when we have an electrical or building problem.  

How about this then, from the Guardian -

 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/24/the-boat-is-full-hungary-suspends-eu-asylum-rule-blaming-influx-of-migrants

- and some of the comments make interesting reading.

The UN in one of its reports referred to the UK stating that for the UK to have a 'quality of life, with sufficient living space, acess to open spaces, sufficient supplies of food, energy, water and sanitation etc etc -

The UK should have a population of no more than - 35 to 40 million' - remember that - 35 to 40 million.

The supermarkets, according to recent reports, now estimate that they are catering for a population nearer 80 million.

It is about the NUMBERS.

The ENVIRONMENTAL impact;  the stress on housing, schools hospitals etc etc.   It is the NUMBERS.

And whilst we are in the EU we CANNOT control the numbers - that is the problem.    Doesn't matter who, what, where, what colour - it is the NUMBERS that the UK cannot cope with.

Challenge you - all of you - tell me how many your home can accommodate - now TRIPLE the number -

WHEN WOULD YOU SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - when you run out of food, the toilets don't work - when ?

Numbers, numbers, numbers - tell us .......................

Even Hungary has had enough - as have many other countries;   to call concern about present and future pressures on the UK as rascist, or to sneer at the red-tops, shows a very limited understanding of the real problems facing us.

Enough is enough ............

[EU Membership??]

For heavens sake - for supposedly adult, intelligent people - I have been disappointed in any kind of argument about In/Out of the EU.

Childish comments, with the first post - 'bloody Tories' - OK - in the interests of fiarness how about the LimpyDumbos, and the RedMarxist Champagne Socialist party (but NOT for the Workers any more).    OK that's the rude, childish bit over.

As for the sniping about Cameron, the Coalition, AV, etc etc - again silly, childish - and totally distracting from the original question.  And as for the AV rubbish - that was a joke - and the British people didn't buy it because they didn't like it.    We've seen enough coalition problems in various Governments in Europe, first this party is in Government, then another Party because the coalition has failed - we are not interested.   The AV was just a sop to the lefty wefties - and the mostly conservative British people  - with a small 'c'- didn't want it.    So move on.

Any of you care to defend the EU Directive about Services - which IS adversely affecting the UK's NHS.  All the shouting in the lefty papers about this 'privatisation of the NHS' - is directly attributable to the EU;   guess G Brown knew that when he sneaked in - late - to sign the LisCon Treaty - yeah ?   Told his working class voters that, did he ?  Huh.

How about some discussion about what TTIP will mean to the UK certainly, but it will also affect France amongst others - adversely.   How many of you know about that - or are prepared to defend it.

How would you explain that the UK has no influence, under QVM, to solve the problems with TTIP when the UK is only once voice out of 27; the UK can stand on its own two feet.

Control of borders, control of immigration - desperately needed because of the increasing - ENVIRONMENTAL - pressures on the UK on concreting over farmland to provide housing;  extra demands for energy, water supplies, food, sewage treatment, schools, transport infrastructure etc etc.   How, on ENVIRONMENTAL grounds - can anyone support unplanned, uncontrolled immigration.

The massive waves of immigration the UK has seen has only really benefitted certain categories of people - but NOT the workers;  the multi-nationals love it because it gives them cheap labour;  the Champagne Socialists love it because they can employ cheap nannies, cooks, cleaners etc - and boast how wonderful they are in supporting diversity rubbish.   And the other group benefitting are those who are employed in supporting immgrants by way of language classes etc etc.

But the poor old bloke, skilled electrician, carpenter, brickie, sparks - HAS had his earning capacity reduced - and his future security - is that RIGHT ?

Even a former top bod from the bbc has now admitted, today, that the bbc dismissed the concerns of ordinary people who WERE being affected by mass immigration - and that the bbc got it wrong.

To be able to plan any kind of futre, for ALL UK citizens, either 10,000 year ancestry or recent 1st and 2nd generation immigrants - we need to have CONTROL OF OUR COUNTRY.

And that means leaving the EU;  how many of you are aware that the EU is in process of having its own Army - to be called in by any EU country in times of crises.    So we could see the Germans marching into Greece, the French marching into Spain - how many of you are aware of that ?    Does that feel right to you ?

Go on - counter any of the above points.   TTIP for one;  EU Army for another........

Let's get back to the original question - not all this harping on about Cameron, Cleggy, Millepeed AV etc etc.   Childish rubbish.

[EU Membership??]

I don't know where in the UK manifesto it refers to 'Britain for WASPS' - if that is what you honestly think, then I would respectfully suggest that you really SHOULD read UKIP's manifesto - maybe twice.

All UKIP wish to do, apart from leave the EU - is to have control over our borders.    For the people of the UK to decide who is welcome to make a contribution to the UK - and who is NOT.

UKIP wish to be open to the whole world - to have the best and the brightest and the most talented would be welcome in the UK;  but UKIP wishes for the British people to decide WHO is welcome in a country that belongs to the British.    I don't think pictures of the Romanian beggars in Kensington, or the sight of Eastern Europeans sleeping rough in Marble Arch are actually the sort that would really be welcome by the British if they had a choice - and what sort of contribution to society are these homesless people actually making.   And while we're on the subject of borders - look at how Italy and France, and now Hungary - have decided that THEY wish to control their borders.    And yet for the UK to wish to do the same we get this childish 'rascist' comment - when it is not rascist but common-sense to control who does, and does not, enter a country.

UKIP is OPEN to the world - as Churchill said;  let the Europeans live in peace - but faced with the choice then Britain will look to the wider world.

For you to think a sane policy about controlling immigration is 'Waspish'; then I would suggest that your views are rather bigotted and rascist against the British people    The country belongs to the British - and they should decide.....

Uncontrolled immigration has led to over-crowded schools - and that has caused problems for immigrants themselves.   There are no6 enough houses in the UK, nor schools, nor hospitals, nor transport - energy supplies are on a knife-edge, food supplies are more and more reliant on imported foodstuffs, and demands for water and sewage treatments are increasing.    On environmental grounds alone, it is sheer, unalderated stupidity to allow open borders with the rest of the EU, let alone the rest of the world.   We are destroying valuable farmland to build houses, or to 'grow' solar farms... - it is definitely NOT good for the British countryside and environment. 

And when the Groniad lot start shouting about 'Tories haven't planned' - of course they b---y well haven't - neither did Labour for that matter - the problem is that it was all UNCONTROLLED - no-one could plan ahead not knowing how many were likely to turn up - 1000 Polish pumbers wasn't it ?

I could write a great deal more, and defend very, very strongly the common-sense policies of UKIP.

But it would take up far too much space - and I think if people wanted to understand - really wanted to know - they would take the time and trouble to find out - rather than make childish comments about 'Waspish' UKIP policies - they are VERY VERY FAR FROM THAT -

in fact common-sense policies would be a far more accurate description.

[EU Membership??]

I think there is a mis-understanding here on your part -

There would be absolutely nothing to stop a sovereign country - the UK - making any kind of trading agreement with the EU itself - is there ?   

And WHY would the UK wish to have any say in how remaining countries in the EU do business;  the countries remaining in the EU CANNOT decide for themselves 'how they do business' - the EU over-rides anything doesn't it ?

As for the comment 'not like Britain is a big producer of of what the rest of Europe wants' ..... really !!!!

How much of the UK trade with the EU goes through Rotterdam ?

The UK has links with the wider world;  the UK is trading more with the wider world than it is with the EU.

But how much of what the EU produces is exported to the UK;   I believe you'll find that the EU 'needs' our markets - and our money - more than the other way round.

Official figures show that the EU costs us, in hard physical cash - and in lots of other ways.   The UK would be better off out of the declining EU.....   check facts and figures.

The EU needs the UK more than we need the EU;   and TTIP will be a disaster for the UK - AND for the EU.

There would be nothing to stop the UK, a sovereign country, sixth biggest economy in the world -

MAKING IT'S OWN DEAL WITH THE USA - and leave TIPP to destroy the EU which it will do;  but the UK would NOT be involved in this takeover by the multi-nationals of state owned, state run public services.   You honestly think the TTIP will be good for the EU or the UK ?

If for no other reason than to protect the UK's NHS service - the UK should leave the EU......

[EU Membership??]

Strange comment - 'don't want to read it because it doesn't answer my question'...!!

If you haven't read HOW do you know it doesn't answer your question.

As to what UKIP would do - it would return the UK to being a sovereign country, able to decide who does and does not reside in the country;  able tto pass its own laws in accordance with the UK's Common Law, and Bill of Rights - and

VERY important -

get us out of the TTIP - which will be a disaster for the NHS in particular.

No reason why the UK, as a sovereign country, can't have its own trade Treaty with the USA;  in the EU the UK is just one vote out of 27 and with Qualified Majority Voting - we might just as well not be there;  the rest of the EU is out of step with the UK mainly because the UK has Common Law, the european countries have Roman Law - totally different, diametrically different approach to freedom and citizens rights.

I'd suggest reading up on the difference would enable people to understand just why Europe is so out of step with the UK - where citizens are 'born free' with all rights;  in Europe citizens only have rights granted to them........   read up on it, then you might understand the appeal of UKIP and why so many in the UK wish to return to a Common Market - remember that ?

[Zeolite - how to regenerate ?]

Hi helpful people

I really think I'm stupid - so have patience please.

When I asked about how much salt to use to regenerate Zeolite - I got confused....

Took the multi-port off the filter last autumn, and drained out the water.   Now in process of opening pool again;  have looked at the top of the Zeolite in the filter and have removed a lot of the dried gunk - which was not a thick layer - that was lying on top.   The Zeolite looks as red as the day it was poured into the filter.

Next step - adding the salt.   Here's my stupidity;  someone referred to 10% - presumably a ratio of 1 part salt to 10 parts of Zeolite.   

So if we have 60 kgs of Zeolite in the filter we'd need to use 6 kgs of salt, dissolved in water, added to the filter to what - just cover the top of the Zeolite - let it works its magic for 48 hours.   Open the valves, fill the filter with water, do the backwash, rinse, backwash to clear out the salt before returning to normal filtering again ?

Sorry everyone - need everything spelled out in very simple language !!

Chessie

[Zeolite - how to regenerate ?]

What a lovely, down-to-earth, common-sense post full of good advice.   I would probably never ever have thought of giving the Zeolite a thorough power-shower before using the salt;  very clear instruction list - and I shall do exactly the same.

Thank you Jonzjob - fingers crossed will keep Zeolite going for another few years.

Happy swimming - the sun's on it's way !!

Chessie

[Zeolite - where to find ?]

Hello Theiere - thank you for help;  have been side-tracked by other problems for a while - please accept my apologies for not replying before now.

Charente - although a lovely part of France - really would be too far a drive for us;  how about delivery - Dordogne area - can you arrange?

Only need one sack - want to remove some of the gungy looking Zeolite at the top and replace - just a matter of a few inches.

We did have half a sack left over after a delivery of three 25kg sacks;    now seems that OH (who lives in his own little world) - 'may' - repeat 'may'  have used this Zeolite to mix with cement to repair some of the stone walls.

He's used some expensive Zeolite instead of gravel - can you imagine just how cross I am.    We've spent hours looking in the barn and the garage - there's no sign of the half a sack that was left - and I've now had the, very, very grudging admission from him, that 'maybe, possibly - it's been used when repairing the stone walls'..........   Give me strength.....

If it's possible - without being extortionate - any idea how much 25kg sack of Zeolite would cost, plus cost of delivery to Dordogne.   If you prefer, please pm me.

- - - - -

And one question if you have a minute - about regeneration of Zeolite.   How much rock salt to litres of water ?    Presumably rock salt is mixed, in ratio of XtoY in several buckets of water, then poured into the Zeolite filter until it reaches the top... obviously with the bung replaced at the bottom of the filter.

Look forward to - as always - very helpful advice.

Chessie

[How to pick-up my e-mails from wanadoo.fr when I'm in the UK ?]

Can I say a BIG 'thank you' to Quillan -

Your advice worked;  I was able to pick up three very important e-mails I needed to access whilst in the UK and which it was essential that I acted upon whilst in the UK.

I am immensely grateful for your help and advice - helped prevent big problems for me - so grateful thanks,

Love this site - there's always help from people who 'knowz' - thank you.

Chessie.

[How to pick-up my e-mails from wanadoo.fr when I'm in the UK ?]

Quillan is right - I'm not techie minded - so as simple as possible for me is best - I knowz nuthin ...

Thank you Quillan for your first very helpful post.   I'll follow your advice to the letter;  you've explained it very clearly and even a non-techie person shouldn't have a problem (fingers crossed).

Thanks to everyone for advice and help.   I'm always very pleasantly surprised by how helpful bods on here can be - and what everyone knows about everything !!

Thank you.

Chessie

[How to pick-up my e-mails from wanadoo.fr when I'm in the UK ?]

Oh dear - sorry everyone - but I don't have a clue about this.

Going back to the UK for a couple of weeks.   Normally don't bother about my e-mails - but this time I really will need to do so.

I have wanadoo.fr as internet service;  I run Outlook Express -

How, back in the UK, in an internet cafe - can I pick up the e-mails that will have been sent to my Wanadoo account.

I have the codes to identify my computer to access the internet as well as the code to access the connection.

I also have the codes to identify the messanger and the code password to access my e-mails.

What do I use to log on in the UK ?

And is it possible to use these codes to do what I want.   In other words, how can I get my e-mails, from my wanadoo. account whilst I'm using someone else's PC in the UK ?

I'm a bit baffled and any expert help, guidance and expertise would be very much appreciated from you clever people who know a lot more than I do.

Chessie

[Zeolite - where to find ?]

Need to find some Zeolite as a 'top up' for the swimpool filter.

Does anyone know if Zeolite (the proper reddish-brown stuff) can be found in any of the swimming pool supply shops in Bergerac or south towards Villeneuve sur Lot, Marmande area at all ?

Have tried online with some of the cash'n'carry type places but can't find any stockists of Zeolite.

Do I have to order - and have delivered - from larger supplier - and if so, any recs ?

Seems a shame when I only need smallish 25kg bag....

Any advice anyone ?

[Online shopping - name on cart bancaire]

Here's an odd one I encountered today.

For the first time I've tried to shop on-line, on a french site using my Carte Bancaire rather than my UK Visa card.  

I had always understood that we should, when entering name in the section for entering card details - that the name should be written EXACTLY as it is shown on the card.

Today I encountered an on-line shop - which has me rather puzzled;  my Cart Bancaire shows my surname, then my Christian name - as in Bloggs Joe -

BUT - the section of the on-line cart bancaire requiring details gave an example as - Joe Bloggs - ie Christian name first, followed by surname.

Now - should I have put my name on the form - as requested by the company - Christian name followed by surname

or -

should I have put down the details exactly as shown on the card - ie Surname first followed by Christian name.

I put the info exactly as it was shown on the card - not as the on-line form indicated.

I haven't yet received confirmation of my order !!!

And can anyone tell me how quickly money is taken from the bank when one uses the carte bancaire debit card - ie how soon would I be able to check whether the on-line company has been paid ?

Any help for a puzzled person would be appreciated - thank you.

[Compressed wood 'logs' - got problems]

We have a modern villa one one level  we have one small wood-burning stove, as well as central heating with timed convector radiators in all rooms.

OH is getting on in years, and is finding all the cutting of logs, and then moving all the cut logs from place to place becoming very tiring for him.   We thought we'd try these compressed blocks of wood (log shaped in segments) as a way to avoid all the hard work.

Huh - wish we hadn't wasted our money.   We're having problems with them.   We have bought the day-burn logs, which are supposed to throw out 5kw when burning.

We have found they don't throw out much heat;  that the stove needs to be 'topped up' at least every hour;  that there is no consistency in how the logs burn - some burn well - and some do not;  even worse some of the green/eco-logs do not burn properly and just seem to smoulder.   When that happens OH has to open the stove to break up the log, which - no matter what we do - then sends a cloud of horrible grey/black smoke into the room - onto the furniture, the curtains, everything.     Before OH opens the stove door the lever at the back of the stove is down so that the flue vent IS fully opened.   We've even had the drop down ash-door at the front of the stove left dropped-down before opening the door - and we still get the clouds of smoke.  We also have a fresh-air vent behind the stove and we've had that open as well so that we really should have enough through draught to help the stove burn these eco-logs.

OH can't settle down for a couple of hours once the stove has been lit - needs to put a log on every hour or so - and it's not helping his arthritic knees bending down all the time.

We are so disappointed with these logs.   Wish we hadn't spent the money.    They don't burn well; they don't throw out much heat;  they don't last long - and when they sit and smoulder they throw off a lot of smoke.

Anyone tried these;  anyone experienced similar problems ?    Any advice for us ?

I did, whisper, to OH that maybe mixing up one of these eco-logs with one or two proper wood logs might do the trick;  funny how my suggestions don't always go down well - that one certainly didn't.    I think he's bitterly disappointed as he was so looking forward to 'never having to cut and lug around those blasted logs anymore' - his words.

We had the chimney swept in the summer, so it can't be that the flue is blocked.   I'm just wondering if - because this is a modern villa - on one level with only a low height chimney flue whether we aren't getting enough upward draught to help these logs burn properly.

Any helpful thoughts, advice, or personal experiences would be much appreciated.   We've spent all this money, OH so desperately didn't want the physical hard work involved with wood cutting - and we're both very, very disappointed with these green eco-friendly - but not people friendly - logs.

Words of wisdom anyone ?

Thank you - Chessie

[Best ready roll pastry for mince pies - help please]

I have made pastry before - just the results aren't very good - and I get down-hearted.

Have always wondered about the Delia recipe - might - just might - be forced to try it this year, just for fun as long as I've got back-up ready to roll pastry or 'fail safe' recipes from you wonderful cooks on here.

I have never heard of the marscapone recipe - sounds just too easy - what's the catch ? !!   I've got the flour, and the butter - rub fat into flour - and then is the marscapone the fluid element - nothing more.   Just pop it all into a food-mixer, whiz and end up with a ball of dough ready to roll ?

If this is successful I'll send you all sample mince-pies !!!

 PS - where did the original marscapone recipe come from - ie which cook ?

Thanks - Chessie

[Best ready roll pastry for mince pies - help please]

This is getting interesting;  if you can absolutely guarantee the recipes - those that have been mentioned - then let's have them.

As for the pate feuilletee I looked at rolls of that in the chiller section at LeClerc and it seemed to be more like the filo pastry - so I was wrong about that, then.  

So if I want to try puff pastry - then it's pate feuilletee - right ?

I'll buy some next time I'm in LeClerc; so with the rolls I've already bought, and the recipes I'm going to try (if they can be guaranteed) - and the test run of the pate feuilletee - I reckon we'll be eating mince pies until Easter.   Or we could have a New Year's Eve Party to get rid of what's not been eaten !!

Oh who loves Christmas....... and all the hard work !!

Thanks everyone - Chessie

[Best ready roll pastry for mince pies - help please]

I cannot make pastry - never been successful.

This year haven't been able to order any mince pies so I'm having to bake my own.

Here's problem and need help.   I've seen the ready to roll pastries.

What is the difference between the Sable, the Brise, and a Dutch one named 'Pates a Flammekueche' - (tartes fines).

I loved the flaky and puff pastry mince pies that we could get in the UK.   Is there a similar flaky or puff pastry out here - and if so what should I look for ?

What is the UK equivalent of  -

the Sable

the Sucre

and all the others.

Definitive list might be useful - and 'pinned' at the top of this section to help ignoramuses like myself, who haven't got a clue about the various types of ready-to-roll pastries that are available.

Can anyone who is in the know recommend the best one to use for mince pies?  

OH is rather wary of this idea;  previous attempts at pastry making have been disappointing, although he does put on a brave face when my pastry attempts are put on the plate !!

Thanks for any help - Chessie

[Changing car insurance company - no-fault accident]

Thank you everyone for helpful - and interesting - advice.  

We'll wait until we receive the paper-work and if this no-fault accident is 'out of time' then I won't include it.  

Other party had accepted total responsibility - and insurance company paid up with no quibble.  

Not my 'dangerous, reckless or careless driving' at all.

I take the line that if an insurance company can wriggle out of their side of the deal, they will.    So I was rather worried because I had forgotten about the incident and wondered if it was going to count against me by the insurance agent.   Feel a bit happier now - so thank you everyone.

Chessie

[Changing car insurance company - no-fault accident]

We are in the process of changing our insurance company for our two cars;  we have talked to a new insurance agent who has provided us with new insurance quotes with different insurance company.

I have just remembered something which is now worrying me.    Over 6 years ago I had an accident in my car - which was totally the fault of the other driver - coming out from their private drive straight onto a side road without looking or stopping and who drove into the side of my car.    Because total fault was admitted, their insurance company paid for all damage to my car.

Had forgotten about this;  do I need to tell my new insurance agent, and new insurance company, about my non-fault accident ;  or does the time elapsed mean it can be discounted for new insurance cover ?

Oh dear - early onset of something or other - can't remember what it's called.

Any advice appreciated.

Chessie

[Green tomato confit with foie gras - yuk, yuk, yuk]

Having a bit of a drinks evening next week and trying out new ideas.

One of the simple nibbles I do is thinly sliced salmon on a slice of brown bread, with some horseradish sauce spread over the salmon and the slice then rolled up, like a swiss-roll which can be wrapped in clingfilm and then sliced into segments.

In local supermarket last week encountered something in a jar labelled' Confit de Tomates Verts' produced locally in Marmande, with the recommendation that it should be served with foie gras or other sliced cold meats.   Ahh I thought - that might be something a bit different to try with the salmon.   

Hoping for something tart, crisp, tangy to cut through the salmon - after all it is supposed to be served with foie gras.

Uggghhhh, yuk, yuk, yuk - absolutely horrible.   IT WAS A JAM - disgusting with the salmon.

Now the French mock the Anglos over our use of cranberry jelly, redcurrant sauce, apple sauce etc all served with meat.

But then they go and produce something that really IS a jam - nothing sharp or tart about it - could be spread on toast it was so sweet.    And yet they dare to mock the Brits.

Flippin' hypocrites.   Anyway - warning;  a green tomato 'confit' is NOT fit to be served with cold meats - try it as a filling in a sponge cake instead!

To say I was disappointed doesn't go half-way.    Ah well, back to the horseradish I suppose.

Anyone got similar 'disaster' funny incidents ?   Or am I the only idiot on here ? !!

Chessie