Meg

[img]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/louweezel/birds2-1.jpg[/img]

Can anyone help me identify these little birds. They are twittering away just outside my window. They are quite small (smaller than a sparrow) and have a red head and face with a yellow and black bit on the wing. Their body is a creamy colour. Sorry not a brilliant description or picture! I don't know a lot about birds, and haven't got a book to look it up in! They are beautiful little things and are making such a lovely noise, they are i think try to scare off my cat who is asleep under the tree! They've been there ages and aren't too fussed about me trying to photograph them. I'll try and take some more a bit closer! [img]http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/louweezel/IMG_3553.jpg[/img] Thanks, Louise

Sylvia, Was there any return address on the packaging it came in??

 I would definitely say go for Michel Thomas!! It gets you speaking instantly and you feel like you are making progress quite quickly. It is such a different way of teaching. (Although i agree his accent is annoying, and as for that woman on it............... ) Louise

We got the name of our local chappie by asking at the Mairie. It arrived on Monday, it's so nice to be well stocked already! Just one less thing to be worrying about. Good luck Louise

That's a difficult one. I remember at uni the huge debates that used to erupt on the topic of the difference between an Artist and a Craftsperson. It used to do my head in!I've pinched this from Wikipedia.Artist is a descriptive term applied to a person who engages in an activity deemed to be an art. It is also used in a qualitative sense of a person creative in, innovative in, or adept at, an artistic practice.Art;From the Latin ars, meaning "skill" or "craft"The use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others.Yep nice and clear then...............[8-)]Louise

I try my best cassis [;-)] Fortunately is does smell nice, not like a granny smell. (No offence to granny's who smell of lavender but i am a few years off that yet!) As for lard, could be interesting. I doubt it would be suitable if the weather (ever) gets warmer. You've the sweat issue plus the fact it'll melt and you'll be standing in a lardy puddle! [:D] But i guess while its cooler.............. you try first though hey?! Louise

 According to our neighbour who a couple of weeks ago picked masses in the woods near us, they have finished. This could be a ploy to keep us out of the woods though!! (either that or she has picked them all!) Happy hunting! Louise

 sorry accidently posted it twice and can't delete this one!

Cassis, I was reading the other day that blackberry pickers suffer a lot with getting bitten and it mentioned that they wash with soap but don't rinse it off their arms and legs before they go picking. Can't remember where i saw that though. Somewhere in cyberspace!  I am now not rinsing very much after a shower to see if it helps, also i am using tea tree and lavender soap, which are insect repellents on their own right. Anything's worth a try! I am fed up of the smell of the spray you get........ Louise

Could you contact the Torust Office in Confolens?? They may be able to help. http://www.tourisme-confolens.com/ Good luck! Louise

My feet haven't been attacked yet, but i have a bite on my little finger!! It's agony as i can't leave it alone, it itches every time i bend my finger! I was talking to someone the other day who has been bitten terribly on her feet, they have swollen so much she was wearing slippers and kept having to put her feet in cold water! Time to pack up the sandals methinks!! [:(] Louise

This is why some agents make you sign a 'Bon de Visit'. Under French law you can be asked to sign a Bon de Visite for each property you view with an agent. This is purely to protect the agent and essentially means that if you have signed one, view the property and then view it again with another agent, possibly at a lower price, even if an offer is made through this agent, the vendor will pay the commission to the first agent you viewed the property with. Louise

  Thanks Clair, Have ordered some of those. Not that i used to buy a lot from Lakeland, but i did like looking through the catalogue!! [:D] Louise

  We have one on a windowsill in a spare bedroom. She has been sitting there for 24 hours, which i thought was odd but obviously not! There is a big beasty spider hiding in a crack next to her so i wonder if she's waiting for it.

Yes i think your right. Evil little things.[6] Last year i remember them causing me grief until November. I was talking to my French neighbour and she seemed to think that they like to live on the weed 'Fat hen' [img]http://www.crocus.co.uk/graphics/pests/87.jpg[/img] I can't find any evidence of this on the Internet. But we have loads of it growing in our field [:-))] Also does anyone know if the cats would be bringing them in?? And would normal flea/tick treatment prevent this?? Louise

    I searched around on these sites, before eventually deciding to buy from the UK. They may give you a good idea what is available though. http://www.mistergooddeal.com http://www.etrouvetout.com http://www.webmarchand.com/ http://www.maismoinscher.com/ http://www.webachatfrance.fr/ Otherwise maybe Kelkoo france or Ebay france?? Louise

Yep , me too, Dotty! Is it the Aoutas already? I thought they were later though last year???? I put a post on a week or so ago about this and no-one else said they were being bitten! I though it was just me being a flea bag!! Glad i have know found someone else who is getting eaten!!!! [:)] Happy scratching! Louise

I'd never heard of this so thanks, i will definitely visit. Some history in English http://www.oradour.info/ http://www.secondworldwar.co.uk/ora_tour/oradour.html Louise

 Thanks sue, My neighbour just turned up and gave me a bag of courgettes, so will give it a go! Louise

 Maybe she was being affectionate!   "While it is not necessary for the male preying mantis to be beheaded in order to consumate the mating ritual, the female mantis will occasionally bite off her mate's head." 

One natural predator of white fly is the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa. You can actually buy the pupae online! Also i have seen ladybird larvae available as well. I also didn't see many ladybirds, until about mid July. Apparently poppies and marigolds planted in the veggie patch attracts beneficial insects, like ladybirds and hover flies. I will give it a go next year. It's all a bit trial and error for me this year! Happy gardening, Benjamin

Or maybe i should start wearing one of these?? [img]http://www.wisementrading.com/insectprotection/bugout_garden.jpeg[/img]

I tried that but it just runs down my neck [:D] I think i will go for the flea collar instead, they do a nice range of colours now. [:P] You never know it could catch on............

 I have heard stories of this sort of thing happening at motorway rest areas. But as you say you will be on proper campsites etc. So basically i wouldn't panic unneccesarily. Obviously it is good to be aware about such things and take some precautions but if people listened to all the funny stuff going on everywhere, they wouldn't leave the house! Keep it in perspective, what are the actual statistics about this?? I think it may be a bit of a case of media sensationalism, so take it with a pinch of salt! Have a fab trip over! Louise