Bastet

Salut, Is there any point in keeping old documents relating to, e.g. CPAM reimbursements from two and three years ago? As an avid hoarder, I'm paranoid about chucking away anything resembling an official document, but at the same time, the contents of the filing cabinet could do with a thinning out. Thanks

On the bank holiday of the 25th May, the normally sleepy village of La Mothe St Héray, (79) will vibrate to the roar of what seems like almost every Porche in France, of all ages, which gather for speed trials on a stretch of local hilly road. Be prepared for traffic diversions if you're passing through, or stop off, enjoy the spectacle and have a beer in one of the local bars.

Thanks for the suggestion - rooms booked !!

Thanks - I've checked it and there are no rooms available.  I know it's during school holidays so maybe we're too late. I guess this is the price to pay when you can't decide what to do for a birthday treat....        [:(]

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced  hotel or B&B establishment in La Rochelle?   We're looking for 2 double rooms for one night, a walkable distance from the City centre, early July. Thanks.

Thank you for your helpful reply; I was certainly getting entheusiastic about that offer - I guess it 's correct that if something looks too good to be true then it usually is! We'll look into the Free service as you described. Bonne soirée.

Forgive me if this has been commented on already; a quick search suggested not. Does anyone use tele2 as their internet provider for broadband ?   If so, what do you think of them?  We are thinking of changing from Wanadoo as Tele2 are offering what seems to be a good deal on  broadband and free phone calls for €17.50 for the first 3 months then €25 therafter.  http://www.tele2.fr/internet/haut-debit/adsl.html This isn't much more than we currently pay just for broadband.  Any constructive comments/opinions?  Thanks.

A couple of times I have used PayPal to pay money to, for example, a friend in the U.S. for some jeans she sent me, nothing to do with Ebay.  You can do this directly to anyone's e-mail address from your PayPal account. I'm sure someone will tell me that's a bad idea, but it seemed to be the best way at the time.

There a chain of opticians called Optical Centre - they have branches at Niort, Poitiers and Puilboreau-La Rochelle. Until July, they are offering 40% discount on all new glasses (total - frames + lenses) PLUS a second pair free. They have an excellent range of frames and the Niort branch has an chap who speaks English.  There may be other branches - their website is www.optical-centre.com.   No, I have no connection with them at all; just a satisfied customer.

Sorry for delay in replying.  Lezay market - held every Tuesday. The spice lady comes from Celle sur Belle and has a stall at Lezay 1st and 3rd Tuesdays and will also do mail order. I think she also goes to Chef Boutonne and maybe one or two others. Dowerhouse chutney is made from tomatoes, plums and apples, as well as the basic onions etc. Would you like the recipe?

Hi Val_2, The 2 ovens are electric so I hope they don't produce the same effect your previous gas one did!    I'm hoping that even though there is no integrated high temp cleaning system, being new and hopefully modern in design, they are as well insulated as your new Scholtes. I guess time will tell. My OH is extremely annoyed with the info we received and himself, for believing it.

Thanks for your opinions, albeit opposing!  Assuming the worst, Payrac-man, do you think it would be possible to protect the sides of the units with anything, ie that metal backed insulating material?

Hope this is the most appropriate forum to post this in. Today, after several weeks of waiting, we have had our Sauter cooker delivered. It is a double electic oven, gas  hob range style, 100cm wide. When we ordered it, the suppliers were absolutely adamant that no extra space was required to be allowed at the sides between the appliance and the adjacent kitchen units, so we didn't, and built the kitchen leaving a 101cm gap for the cooker. Having now received the instructions, they state a gap of 2cm is required.  At the risk of sounding terribly naive, are the adjacent units going to suffer from not having this gap - are the ovens likely to be so badly insulated?  There is a ventilation space at the back of the cooker. Thanks in advance.

Have rather belatedly read this thread.  I think I can safely say I am the chutney queen of  Deux-Sèvres. I have currently in my storecupboard, elderberry, cherry, nectarine, banana, aubergine, orange& lemon, fig, mirabelle, plum, green tomato, dowerhouse and prune chutnies. I also have a wide range of relishes & pickles. I love making these and would be happy to share any recipe.  Luckily, I live close enough to a weekly market where there is a regular stall selling exotic spices, amongst which I found nigella seeds - excellent in the aubergine chutney!

Hi Tina, Have sent you PM. Regards Bastet.