chessie
-
Posts
672 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by chessie
-
-
Did anyone read the Campagnes 47 issue for June ?Page 25...REVOLTING, Disturbing, disgusting, upsetting photo of a hunter - with a dead foal/young deer.The picture is of this 'macho' man, in camouflage/khaki outfit, holding bow and arrow in one hand, crouched next to the body of a young foal/deer and holding up the head of this shot animal in his other hand - I find is just so repugnant. To add insult to injury the hunters have even stuck a piece of green fern in the poor animal's mouth.How can anyone shoot such a lovely animal, with a bow and arrow - and then have a photo taken.I hate the French hunters and I hate the way the French farmers have decimated the country-side.But to find such an offensive picture in a state/department funded magazine is extremely upsetting.And why on earth would someone take such a pride in shooting Bambi ??Or is it just me ? Regards - Chessie
-
Thanks everyone - I've enjoyed all the stories, including Sweet 17's 'fight' with her machine !!!And well done Hereford !!! - both for having the courage to show the results of your bread-making (which do seem to be excellent) - but you also learned how to post pix on the forum - congratulations !!!!I think I'm just going to have to persevere. I like Frederick's idea of 'Flour Improver' so I think I'm going to try that, and also try to get hold of some UK bread-making flour or bread mixes.In the meantime I've decided that this all-singing, all-dancing little box of tricks is NOT going to get the better of me. I'll find the right mix sooner or later.Thanks everyone for the funny stories, and all the good advice and help.Regards - Chessie
![Smile [:)]](../images/emotions/smile.gif)
-
Phew !! That's a big relief. So I don't need to worry - and although 60% of 100kg is 60kg, Chrish is suggesting I just chuck all the 75kg into the filter and that should sort it....Thanks so much Clair and Chrish for your advice. Now I just need to work out how to connect new combo to existing flexi piping - should be fun !!Thanks for your help - Chessie
-
Oh dear - sometimes I don't think I should be allowed out !!!Last year we had problems with pump and filter on our above-ground pool. Decided on which replacement pump/filter combo to go for, and then because Zeolite was on special offer, I ordered enough - 75kg (from LF's lovely PoolGuy) - for the new filter combo I intended to buy.Then the £/Euro rate dropped like a stone and I put off buying new pump/filter in the hope the rate would improve.It didn't, but as I can't face another summer with the existing pathetic set-up, I ordered new combo set and damn the expense !!!New set arrived yesterday - and I now have problems.The tech spec on the webpages of supplier specified 80 kg for the combo. The set was delivered yesterday, and looking at the instructions on the side of the filter it refers to 100 kg of sand - NOT the 80kg specified on the website's technical details. AAAAAgggghhhhh !!!!So - problem. If this set-up needs 100 kg sand - can I pour into the filter just 25 kg of sand to start with, and then top-up with the 75kg of Zeolite ? Or do I have to get hold of another 25 kg of Zeolite ? Or can I get away with using just the 75kg Zeolite I already have ?Help anyone - please.Regards - Chessie
-
Hello Everyone - thank you all so much for your comments.Hereford - sorry - I heard your deep sigh from here. I did try to use the 'search' button - but unfortunately where the the blank space is to type word/phrase and then to hit 'search' button - is covered up by 'Google Ads' writing and is totally useless on my PC. So I AM very sorry Hereford; I knew the topic had been covered, but couldn't find it. But thanks for the recipes, and the tips - all very much appreciated. And anyway - I challenged you all cos I wanted to SEE the loaves !!!And as for 'you get what you pay for' - we paid a lot of Mickey Mouses for a Kenwood Convection breadmaker, in stainless steel, with 13 programmes, and all digital, with flashing lights, and beeping noises. And I thought if that all singing, all dancing, buttons and bows 'thing' can't produce a decent loaf, then it's going to be dumped in the well !!!!!!!But it's been lovely reading everyone's comments - including the 'fight' some of you have just to get the bread out of the machine !! Happy days.And Gluestick - gee - I can smell those bread rolls even now....yum, yum, yum - look very inviting....and the lovely brown loaf from Hereford as well - almost as good as being in the boulangerie itself !!!!Thanks everyone. Anyone else ready to send pix of their success ? !!!!!!!!!!Chessie
-
Loved all the comments....great fun to read about how you all cope with 'strange' driving techniques.Motorway driving - totally agree with gluestick about staying in middle lane for long distances. I do this myself when driving on motorways in UK. It is far too easy to get oneself stuck behind a lorry or artic on the inside lane that's not going quite as fast as you thought it was and then finding it extremely difficult to get back into middle lane to overtake. So I tend to sit in the middle, pull into the outside lane to overtake something in middle lane that's motoring along quite happily at about 65mph or less, and then swing back into middle lane. I much prefer this way of driving motorways, you do have to look ahead and behind you - but it's much, much smoother, more fuel efficient, and less wearing on the brakes. And it stops me from getting bored - keeps me alert and 'reading the road'.As for 'kiss the brake'....my father (police officer, police driver and later driving instructor) - used to fix a 'special button' on his cars....from the A40, to the Morris Oxford, to the Alfa Sud - and many others in between.......This 'special button' was a simple switch that turned on the rear brake lights whenever father decided the time was right !!!! And if he pre-warned us kids sitting in the back we would turn and see the results on the following driver !!!! (Mind you - he didn't do this very often, and was always careful about exactly when to hit the button).Then MOTs came in and put a stop to his fun !!!Chessie
-
OK - I have to admit defeat.OH wants 'softer bread'....so we've bought a breadmaking machine with convection fan.It's been a total disaster. Had three attempts and am going to throw the machine in the nearest well !! First attempt; followed exactly the recipe in the handbook - to the smallest grain of flour and drop of water. Plugged machine in, listened to it churning, and kneading and bumping away - great. We went out for a walk, and when we came back I was horrified to discover that the machine had turned itself off mid-cycle. Why ? I had overlooked this rubbishy French electrical system - anything that has a thermostat control like an electric iron, heated hair rollers, hair tongs, electric blanket - once the right temperature has been achieved and the gadget turns itself off - it won't come back on until the plug is removed from the socket and replaced or it's tripped at the meter. So the breadmaker needs to be plugged into one of these extension socket sets which has an on/off switch. So first attempt had to be thrown away.Second attempt (with extension lead and same recipe from handbook) - the machine worked as it should...but the results were horrible. Heavy, stodgy bread - that wasn't white but instead was a grungy beige/taupe colour. The flour I'm using is Francine Pain Maison with a lovely picture of a crispy crusty bread with white interior - but my attempt looks nothing like the picture. Maybe I've become colour-blind !Third attempt - this time I used the recipe from the packet of flour itself. Again - it's ----- horrible. The bread had risen better, but then whilst cooking the top didn't rise so when it was turned out it had sunk in the middle a bit. And the bread is still this horrible beigy colour - NOT white.So come on all you breadmakers. I'm challenging all of you who say you happily use these bread-makers, the recipes you say you use are good and the results are tasty, excellent, look good.... I Want too SEE these wonderful loaves of bread - let's have some photos of your breadmaking successes !!!I was expecting to be able to 'bake' nice crusty white bread with a top that had risen and looked wonderful.And how the heck do you get the paddle out of the 'lump' that is cooked ?HELP !!!! - please - before I head for the well to throw this 'gadget' into the murky depths !!Chessie
-
Uhhm - excuse me Quillan but...'...financial debt France ...with America for WW2'..The UK was bombed, battered, bruised, damaged, destroyed by WW2; the Americans arrived late (with Joseph Kennedy the US Ambassador to the UK saying that America shouldn't support us, that Hitler would win).The UK was also destroyed and suffered rationing after the War because we received no help from the Americans. We were 'lent'/leased military equipment...but we owed America money to pay them for their help in the War - as you correctly mention - The War Loan.What did France owe America ? What did Germany owe America ? - NOTHING....what the Americans did for Europe after the war was called - I believe - the MARSHAL AID plan. The Americans gave the Europeans money - money to the countries who had Started the War. But to the small little nation that stood up to Hitler, gave Europe back it's freedoms - the Americans LENT money and help and expected the money to be repaid..That's why the Germans were able to rebuild, why the French were able to rebuild, why the Italians could rebuild - they had the American money.What did the UK have - NOTHING !!!! - we had no help. We rebuilt the UK ourselves, and we paid off our financial debt to the Americans.
-
The Tax Law Bikboks is writing about applies to French citizens and French citizens only. Doesn't matter where you live, most of us remain citizens of the country of our birth, unless we deliberately take another nationality/domicile. But for UK citizens living out here in France the rules regarding an inheritance from someone who has NOTHING to do with France is totally different.Let's assume you are a UK citizen, living in France, and paying taxes hereYou receive a sum of money as an inheritance from a relative, who is UK based, property and savings in the UK, has never visited France, never had anything at all to do with France - why should that relative's estate have to pay French tax ? What a b----y nonsense.You will NOT pay tax on any inheritance from the UK. Firstly, if the estate of the deceased is over -(Oh Lordy whatever the new limit is) - then Tax will have been paid in the UK and the French, under Double Taxation CANNOT touch it - it's been taxed once, so push off French tax bod.Secondly - and this is the very, very clever, bit - the UK tax authorities DO tax any estate under (whatever the new figure is) - but it is TAXED at ZERO percent - but it is 'TAXED' - so No, No, No, No, No, - don't get so paranoid about paying tax twice on whatever sum of money you might be fortunate to inherit.Best of luck, and enjoy your good fortune...Chessie
-
Hi Cooperlola (nice to see you back from your 'little escapade' X)You are missing my point slightly. Yes we're OK - a lot of people aren't. And none of us saw the disasters looming; we would all have taken steps to ensure we would be financially OK - and it's gone very badly wrong for large numbers.My points - the UK state pension is pretty low compared to those in other EU countries. If all UK pensioners received a decent state pension there would be fewer people ex-UK to suffer the present hardship. Those pensioners in the UK who need it CAN claim extra help - via the Means Testing benefit system - which is denied to those who now live in the EU. And knowing that other countries treat their pensioners decently adds to the feeling of being treated very unfairly. A decent UK state pension first - NOT means tested which is a throwback to the 30s....some problems would be eased. As for early retirement - come on, I didn't mention that, and it's a side-issue. And a few shares, and having kept our UK property, certainly doesn't make us very comfortably off. And I worry about my family.....Chessie
-
Happy Christmas Y'All...Just had to add my sixpenn'orth to this. Some of us have have chosen to relocate to France to enjoy a different way of life, better weather, different surroundings, culture, food, etc etc etc etc....- whatever....But - although we are here, and happy, we are realistic enough to know that some years down the line, driving 15 miles to the nearest supermarket will become less easy and more expensive; driving at night will no longer safe because of eye-sight changes; the weight of the chain-saw to cut the wood will become more a strain on the heart; the lugging of the wood into the house will be difficult because of declining strength; the gas cylinders become heavier to deal with because of back problems....and all in all life - which was good for 10 years or more - becomes difficult. And at that point, some of us know we will think of returning - however reluctantly - back to the UK.Now to those who, very rudely I feel, say - 'you made the choice' - with the implicit shrug of the shoulders....how many of you really saw the pound/mickey mouse euro parity rate ? How many of you were clever enough to convert all your sterling into the Disney money ? How many of you were aware that house prices were going to drop the way they did ? How many of you, in short, have won the UK or the Disney lottery ?Some of us have UK pensions that ARE taxed in the UK; as well as UK shares, investments, and property....property which we decided to hold on to as a 'just in case' something happened to one or other of us, there was somewhere to return to which was close to family and friends.Circumstances have meant that for a large number of UK ex-Pats our finances are tied up very much with the UK and pound sterling. And we are being badly affected by matters out of our control. We worked hard, saved, paid our way, never claimed for anything, led decent, law-abiding, respectable lives....like everyone else on this Board...and we are being clobbered through no fault of our own.Yes, it'll work out, yes we'll all come through it. But we STILL have a vested interest in the UK - it is where our families continue to live, where our children and grand-children are having to cope with very different circumstances than a year ago...to the point where I am very worried about my family, and wish I was back in the UK to help them.....instead of being out here and seeing our savings being eroded; I would prefer to be back in the UK to help my family financially....Don't any of you look beyond your own, very fortunate, very comfortable, set of circumstances and see that for some of us the few years of living in the sun after a lifetime of work is beginning to turn a bit difficult ?And as for 'asking for help from UK' - No, that is not what I'm suggesting. But maybe if UK pensioners had a decent pension instead of having to go through the Means Test route and have to'claim for this..', 'claim for that...', 'Tax Credit for this..' , 'Tax Credit for that'...maybe some of us UK ex-pats might not be experiencing such a worrying time. A decent pension is all we UK pensioners want...we've more than contributed, and when you realise that some EU countries pay decent pensions regardless of where in the EU the pensioner lives then it is pretty galling for UK ex-Pats who can get no help out here, but would be able to if they were back in the UK.Life is not going to be easy for a lot of us over the next few years; to those of you who are comfortable with no worries - then I hope it continues that way for you. To those who are not quite so comfortable, and are starting to worry...chin up, we'll get by one way or another.And may I wish you All a Very Happy Christmas - and Good Luck for 2009 !!!Regards - Chessie
-
I might not have explained this too well, and also made assumptions ...The noise is ONLY heard when the loudspeakers on the sound system are switched on. Yes, there is a degree of 'hum' from the PC but that's normal, very quiet and doesn't cause problems.The noise comes from the speakers...We are also on ADSL - have been for last 3 (?) years - but the noise was apparent before ADSL.Regards - Chessie
-
Help please...I have a 10 year old PC that runs Windows 98. I'm planning to buy - from UK - a completely new high-spec PC to run Windows XP or Vista and high spec enough so that I won't have to think of replacing for another 10 years !!However, before 'splurging' my money - I wonder if someone could throw some light on a weird phenomenon on my PC ?There is - always has been since we moved here to France - and regardless of whether I'm on or off-line - a background noise along the lines of 'hiss, hiss, tick, tock, hiss, screech, tick, hiss, hiss, screech, tock....... !! Rather like putting on a radio that isn't quite tuned into a station and you just get the background 'hiss' - but a heck of a lot worse. It makes listening to the radio on my PC just about impossible, and although I can play ABBA, Holsts 'Mars' from the Planets or the 1812 Overture at top volume to drown out the background hiss - it does make listening to 'The Lark Ascending' totally impossible !! My PC is set up with a filter on the phone plug socket. The phone cable is then plugged into a Belkin 6 way surge protector; this was bought shortly after we bought the PC so it's a UK model - with UK sockets; into this 6-way surge device are the plugs for the sound system, screen, printer, scanner, mouse and a USB 6 way Belkin port thingy...Now all these items are UK based, plugged into a french electrical and telephone system. The electric supply is the 12 Kw/Volt/Amps (whatever !!)...but you clever bods will know exactly to what I'm referring.I'm wondering if there is a 'conflict/discrepancy' between the 2 systems which is causing all this background noise. If so - any suggestions as to what might solve the problem ?It's like a lot of things in life - put up with irritations for so long but when you want to replace something you want to make sure you get rid of all the other annoying things at the same time. Like decorating a room....slap a coat of paint on becomes 'whilst we're doing this can we change that door, and knock that wall down, and..and...and..!!!Look forward to any advice - regards - Chessie
-
Hello Just KatieI Agree Totally - French food is the most awful, awful rubbish. It's not good quality; can't find nice small ripened on the vine tomatoes; no gammon; cucumbers that are always limp; carrots that are old, tough and go rotten in a few days; mesh bags of potatoes Always Always have a smelly rotting potato in the middle - even though I sniff the potatoes through the mesh there's always one potato rotting away. And before anyone shouts at me to buy pots loose - can't - Not of this particular variety which are lovely for baked jacket pots or chips....Celery is nothing but woody, cotton wool filled rubbish; cauliflower and cabbage to me taste very bitter. It's over-priced rubbish - and I long for the quality and selection of Tescos or Waitrose.....As for Halal Meat - HOW COULD YOU ?It is an extremely cruel, painful, agonising death for an animal....how can anyone possibly buy Halal meat....it's only done on religious grounds...in the same way female circumcision is done....Please everyone - do NOT touch Hala meat...pleaseChesie
-
Hello Tim and ClairThanks both of you for excellent advice - I feel a bit more confident now about how to sort out this problem.Shall have to bite the bullet and buy brand new system, but it's reassuring to know I should be able to transfer info to new PC..I knew I could count on the experts on this forum - thanks for your help !!Regards - Chessie
-
Please Llantony - Leave As Long As Possible - for the long-term health of the young cat.Male cats that are neutered too soon can develop urinary problems later on - sometimes as early as 4 or 5 years....this is because if they neutered too soon the bladder pipework system is not developed properly; if the cat then develops crystals in its urine - which is quite common - then because the urinary system is under-developed, these crystals can cause blockage and subsequent extremely painful and sometimes fatal problems.I'm speaking from personal experience of a rescue cat we had, neutered too soon (by the Rescue Shelter), who developed urinary problems. He died an extremely painful and sad death - and we were told it was because he had been neutered at too young an age.We have been 'adopted' by young male cat (had been left by feral mum!) - and were able to delay having him 'sorted' until he was 10 months without any 'spray' or 'smell' problems at all - so it might be possible for you to delay the 'snip' for a while yet. And if you can delay - then please, please do so.Regards - Chessie
-
Catch 22 situation !!Old PC (bought new in 2000) runs Windows 98 and Word/Office 2000; printer now totally 'died' on me.New printers - don't recognise Windows 98; will only run using Windows 2000, XP or Vista.Present PC - Intel III 650MHz processor: 100 MHz M/Board; 128 MB SDRAM 100 MHz; 27 GB Hard Disk Drive (and yes it is 27 GB - this PC system was classed as an 'Entertainment' system with TV Tuner, sub-woofer, speakers, webcam and AGP 64 Graphics); and 56K modem. I don't understand half of all that ! - but I kept the specification sheets from the time we bought the PC.Am seriously thinking about 'junking' this entire system and buying new, all-singing, all-dancing, whistles and bells, Dell (?) system that - hopefully - will not date for the next 10 years and will use Vista !!I'm not sure if it is worth up-grading existing PC - what would be needed for system to run Vista ?I'm a complete computer/techno ignoramous....and haven't a clue about techno speak...I have a lot of 'bookmarks' that I would like to keep.Is it possible to 'transfer to disc' all the bookmarks ? Is it possible to 'transfer to disc' a lot of special e-mails that I want to keep ? And then install these on new PC ?Please - any help and advice would be much appreciated - but I need this to be kept very, very simple (the phrase - 'words of one syllable' come to mind !!)Look forward to any help - thank you - Chessie
-
I'm a bit puzzled by regulations concerning what can be built in a domestic garden without permission - and what does need permision.We desperately need a very big shed/garage for extra storage. Some of the very large garden sheds from Leroy Merlin/similar places would seem to fit the bill but - here's where I'm confused.It's possible to put up a shed/garage type building under 20 sq metres without toddling off to complete forms etc.But - is it the external measurements that have to be under 20 sq metres - or can it be the internal - floor space - measurements ? Some of the very large sheds we've been looking at have a considerable roof over-hang along the front, sides and back - and this overhang can cause quite a discrepancy between the external 'size' of shed, and the actual usable floor space area....So which is it - anybody got a definitive answer - because I can't see in the explanations in various French ex-pat newspapers any great detailed explanations of what it is that is measured ? Any help and advice gratefully received.Chessie
-
What lovely, intelligent, reasoned arguments...I have enjoyed all these posts.I'm just an ordinary little ex-worker drone...with a little house that I own, and a little bit of savings and pensions....But I am desperately worried for the future - because I have a daughter and grand-children. And while the arrogant EU corrupt lot are in charge; while there are Sovereign Wealth Funds who DO have different perspectives on world affairs than other types of Capitalist Funds - then I worry deeply for the future of the world.I can see mass starvation because of the stupidity of the EU CAP; also the EU bio-fuels idiocy is going to cause even greater starvation worldwide. The EU is a malign and evil influence. Unfortunately most of us worker drones are just so enmeshed in coping with our own lives that we are just sleep walking into disaster - and the media, the BBC, the whole damn lot of them are as bad as any SWF. Because behind the EU there is the Bilderbank (?) - and there is a growing class of elites who care nothing for us 'ordinary's' - but my daughter and her grand-children will have to live with the consequences of what our generation has - and is allowing - to happen. And I am deeply ashamed of the legacy we will leave behind.But it is enjoyable to read such interesting and knowledgeable posts - please continue.Chessie
-
Sweet 17 - Please don't jump to conclusions about 'people not paying tax' . The people you mention in your post will most definitely be paying tax in the UK. Unless you are renting out your property privately (which is difficult if you live in France) - it is impossible to receive rental income without the tax authorities knowing because the letting agents either keep 20% of rental income or the rental is passed on to the owner gross provided a UK tax form has been completed. And the Tenants Deposit Scheme means Customs & Revenue 'match up' Landlords and tenants...and HMCR are cracking down hard on Landlords not declaring rental income....So your couple will be paying UK tax on their rental income; and by doing so they will also be completing UK self-assessment forms...and if they have Civil Service pensions HMRC 'grab' those first as well...So please don't make such sweeping statements - I don't believe it is possible to live in France, have UK income - and NOT be taxed on it either in the UK first or subsequently in France.If they are avoiding the HMRC on their rental income, the tenants deposit and their pensions, then of course they're in deep trouble - but it would take nerves of steel, no morals and they'd have to be pretty astuste to completely avoid tax in the UK and France.But I do think the idea of them trying to reduce their taxe d'habitation is just asking for trouble if they're not in the French system. If you feel so strongly about their circumstances maybe you should 'encourage' them to get it reduced !!!!Abientot - Chessie
-
Thank you nomoss - I did wonder if I was totally out-of-step !!!As for the 1689 Bill of Rights - well that's still a current Law which states that the rights of the 'citizens of the UK cannot be handed over to a foreign power without the consultation and agreement of the people'. And we have not had that consultation or agreement...This Bill is still a current piece of legislation.; So current, in fact, that the Speaker of the House of Commons has just in the last 48 hours invoked this same Bill to prevent disclosure of information from a commttee meeting discussing the costs/implications being encountered by the UK plan for an ID system.So rather than being an archaic piece of legislation, it is still current. And under this current legislation what Gordon Brown has done is an Act of Treason.As for disliking France - did I say that ? I like my own country - in the same way that a French person in the UK - and benefiting from all that the UK has to offer - presumably still likes their home country; in the same way that a German in the UK, or a Spaniard in the UK, or a Belgian in the UK, or an Italian in the UK....or a Belgian living in Spain, or an Italian living in Greece, or a German living in Italy....We are going a step much too far towards a Federal Socialist State of Europe - a step which all the citizens across the EU ought to be able to have a vote on. The fact that every EU citizen is not - is a betrayal of every one of us - not just UK citizens. I'm just making the point that we have been lied to, time and time again - and that Gordon Brown has commited an Act of Treason under existing UK law.Chessie
-
Under this new 'Treaty' each President/Prime Minister has to swear an oath of allegiance to the EU first, and is honour bound (honour and politician - that's a joke) to defend and put the interests of the EU First - Before those of his/her own country, and to defend the EU first and foremost. That's an act of treason. A President/Prime Minister's own country's interest should come first before anything.When we had a vote back in the 1970s it was for a 'Common Market' - not the beaurocratic, interfering, many-headed monster with draconian powers it has become. We were lied to back in the 70s, and we are being lied to now.Our UK constitution under the Bill of Rights has not been repealled; to sign away our rights to foreign powers without consulting the people is an act of treason. The Bill is part of our Constitution - and only the UK people have the right to make such decisions. We were promised a referendum - we have not had one. We are not having a debate or a line-by-line scrutiny in the Houses of Parliament as we were promised. Probably couldn't have a 'line-by-line' because half of the Treaty hasn't yet been written !! But we have been lied to and treated with contempt by the politcal elite...As for other coutnries accepting the Treaty without any dissension - uhmm - really ? I believe there are similar feelings across the rest of Europe - it's just that the 'media elite/political elite' don't want them reportedPeace in Europe after the WW2 - surely the UN and NATO had something to do with that as well ? And as for being involved in European wars - did we start them all ? Or weren't we trying to to bang heads together to bring peace ?As for disliking socialism - why do you interpret that from my post ? I haven't said I'm a communist/capitalist/socialist/anything/nothing - the fact that you - Tony - refer to 'socialist Europe' rather gives the game away - maybe 'EU socialism' is what the EU is about. But we were never told that, we were never given an opportunity to vote on EU socialism - it was a 'Common Market'. Circumstances have changed, society has changed, economies have changed - so do we just go along accepting blindly what we are told by the political elite - without questioning and without knowing what is being done and what will affect our lives, and our childrens ?Health benefits living out here - uhmm not really - pluses and minuses - but overall can't say one system is better than the other. We have to pay out here - it's not free - in the UK it's free. Lower taxes - really - what about some UK savings - ISAs and TESSas, and lump-sum pension payments, and inheritance tax, and capital gains tax - less than the UK - really ?As for the UK leaving the EU - why not - the other countries that are 'associated with but not part of' the EU' aren't having any problems. And as for benefits of the EU for say - our fisheries (well we all know about the British fishing non-industry and the reasons for its decline don't we) - and the wine lakes, and the grain mountains and all the other stupidities - can't think of many ways being in the EU has been of any great benefit. Look at the fuss over metrication - even the Chinese use the Imperial measurements and despite all their efforts the EU Kommisars had to recognise that Imperial measurements just weren't going to go away, have had to admit defeat and now we can use bothe Imperial and Napolean measurements. Why did the EU want to ban the Imperial measurements anyway. It's this interefering, bossy, change the UK way of doing things that I find really nasty - and totally unnecessary.It's obviously a wet Sunday afternoon out here in Dordognshire - never thought I'd be chuntering about politics like this !!
-
Yes, yes, yes - well and trully sold down river. The EU elite don't like the ordinary 'drones', the hard-working, tax-paying decent citizens. After all, if we had a referendum on the Lisbon 'Treaty/Constitution' we probably wouldn't vote the way 'they' want. The EU is a gross and obscene 'gravy train' for the MEPs; democracy doesn't matter - we are all to be good little citizens, pay our taxes and not think for ourselves. When was it transformed into this nightmare of a Federal Socialist State rather than an affiliation of happy econmic trading nations with freedom of movement? I like the different cultures and countries of Europe (what remains of them) - I do not like the over-writing of our UK Freedoms under Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights by any clap-trap of an EU Constitution. Why should countries hand over their sovereign rights to govern themselves to the EU elite....we gave the Europeans back their freedom after World War II - why are these countries so happy to give up their freedoms now........the whole EU con trick has become a monster - and is a back-door invitation to an inevitable dictatorship...we are losing our democratic freedoms...And I certainly won't mention all the fraud that takes place which is so apalling that the EU hasn't been able to get the accounts signed off for - what is it now - 11 years !!! And it's our money that they waste !!!Chessie
-
Aaaahhh !!! - lovely photo. And isnt' he a handsome boy....So glad Pig has had problem diagnosed - he will now be a walking pharmacy shop !!! I was concerned about him - and you - and it's reasurring to know that the vet has discovered the problem, that Pig can be treated, and will soon be back to being his normal, soppy, cuddly little self !!And Rose, you must be feeling happier as well. Back to normal - happy families again !!!And thank you for letting us know about his progress.Chessie
Pix of shot deer
in South West (Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrénées)
Posted