Suze01

Sounds like it could be a Hoopoe - never seen one myself.

I did weigh in last week just forgot to post:  +1lb Weighed this morning +1.5lb I think I'm doing something wrong [:'(]

Ages ago, I remember seeing something about using a thin piece of copper wire pushed horizontally through the stem of the tomato plant near the base to prevent blight.  Not tried it though so I don't know how efective it is, or if it is detrimental to the plant.

[quote user="Cathy"]Would anyone recommend it, bearing in mind the length of time and the cost of postage? [/quote] I've sold 30 items totally 150 euros over the past 6 months on eBay France.  Only a few items didn't sell.  It's mainly been outgrown but good quality kids clothes and a few household ornaments.  In fact on Saturday I sold 6 items inlcuding a pair of jeans that my son never wore as they were too small for more money than I paid for them in Auchan [:-))]

[quote user="zeb"]Just come back from a hectic weekend in North East Essex, where, on several of our outings, son in law pointed out new driveways made of some sort of moulded, coloured concrete (mostly russet coloured but we did see one which looked like sandstone). He said the dyed concrete was laid and a mould pressed over it to achieve the desired pattern. Have any of you seen it? Can someone point me to a website as we would like to know what mix is used and how it's done?[/quote] Yes, you can get this sort of thing here.  At the 'Habitat' show in Périgueux in the Autumn there was at least one company with a stand for this.  I'm sorry though, I can't remember what they are called, so not much help really other than yes, they do exist.

After watering (or lots of rain) mulch around the base of the tree with a thick layer of grass clippings for example.  I've been doing this for the last few years and my new trees and plants are thriving despite the lack of rain.

You could always buy some seed and start some off yourself - it justs needs patience.  I've got 5 rhubarb seedlings on the go but I won't  be able to crop any for two years [blink]

[quote user="Fay"]I was really looking forward to getting stuck into Labyrinth but have actually put it aside after about 80 pages...[/quote] I did exactly the same.  I read another book then came back to the Labyrinth.  I'm now on page 387 and for me the story has picked up in pace and is starting to grab my interest.

[quote user="Stefan"]OK, for those who want to know where to be / not to be in July, full details of the route have just been released [/quote] Brilliant timing!  By the time I have packed up my tent at The Pyla Dune campsite on the 11th July I can hook up with the Tour as it starts it's Bordeaux to Dax section not far from Arcachon [:-))]

Thanks for that Will, it's excellent [8-|] It was taken at least two years ago because it shows our old pool and garden!

[quote user="saddie"]Secondly Royal Mail International signed for is as bad - I received a parcel recently and asked our postie - il faut signer ? - mais non ! [/quote] I have just this morning received a parcel Royal Mail Int recorded, and I DID have to sign for it. 

Rather than change your ID why couldn't you just change your pass word?

Not so good for the hawthorns and other 'tree' bits of the hedgerow though.

I'm of the same opinion about the verges and hedgerows.  When we moved in we had quite a dense hedgerow the other side of our lane, but between the farmer renewing the sheep fencing and the verge cutting the hedgerow was entirely gone last year.  It is now recovering but I'm afraid that very soon the verge cutters are going to come along and cut back the hedges that are just growing.

I know Anne, I'll PM you with her email address. Luckily she lives about an hour max from you. EDIT: I clicked on email and not PM so check your mailbox.

Well done Alexis! Can I borrow your scales [;-)] For me this week, it's no change, exactly the same as last week. OK I suppose, but a loss would have been better.

It sounds like a [url=http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/carpbees.html]carpenter bee[/url].  They're like a lancaster bomber flying past!

Where we live, the day is often at it's hottest between 5 and 7pm.  Maybe the rise in temperature causes the wind to increase (insert: little smiley with a Gallic shrug!)

[quote user="Ron Avery"]Yes but for four weeks I personally would not bother [/quote] We filled one in for 10 days of residency.

7/10 600 points today.  Politics questions let me down on the three wrong.  When I looked at the Top50 scores I was the only one there!? 10/10 on the princess quiz though!

5/10 369 points 13th position.  A lot of scottish questions I felt, and it didn't help at all the other half is a jock! Had some good guesses! Who is Oberon?

I think you would need permission whatever the size - a garden shed needs permission.

You sound just like my husband Chris!

You could go to the school to start with to have a look and introduce yourselves but you will need to go to the Mairie to get a certificate in order to enroll your child.

Generally my soil is awful, like yours quite a lot of clay, which is good in that the clay holds the nutrients, better than having a light sandy soil to start with!  I'm trying to improve it with homemade compost, manure (my daughter rides and I have a free supply luckily) etc. Part of the vegetable garden is imported topsoil from after the building works and it may be that that looks so good!