Meg

For the last day or so i  keep getting bitten. I haven't really noticed many mozzies around though, and due to the near arctic conditions have been wearing trousers, but still keep getting munched! Also i was boasting the other day that i hadn't been bitten for ages, so probably my own fault! Is it the evil little aoutats already???? The bites are definitely in 'those areas which clothes tend to fit snugly' if you know what i mean. We arrived last year at the end of August and i think the little beggars didn't bother me until late September, possibly later! Or am i just a flea bag.............. grrrrrrrrrrr [:@] Louise

Apparently whitefly are resistant to most pesticides. Is it really worth all the effort of spraying them so regularly?? I'd either not grow brassicas again or try some organic methods. Also spraying with chemicals will prevent natural predators. Louise

My book recommends either storing in an old deep freeze, with straw between each layers, or clamping, which works well for large quantities of potatoes, but won't keep out a very hard frost. I wish I'd grown some this year, every time i buy a bag in the supermarket they have gone soft and start sprouting in less than a week, and this is when stored in a closed cardboard box. [:@] I really need to find somewhere that sells those huge sacks of potatoes, with the muck still on, in the UK they would keep for months! Louise

 ooh women fighting over men........definitely not a pretty sight!  

Spot on JK!! There is nothing funnier than a man prancing round thinking all the women in the room love him!! Now i do like do  a man in a suit, overalls or firemen (real ones that is not just the uniform and baby oil!!) Louise

Seems like only outward flights from UK at the moment. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/373124

 maybe he has a stunt double.................?????????????

 uuurrrggggghhhhhh. Just googled and found the clip of the man who's arms exploded. (if it's the same one!!) [+o(]  Frightening!!!!!!!!!!!

  How disappointing, i didn't think you were being literal about the 'mighty eagle'!! Louise

Ld lines Portsmouth to Le Harve do good prices! http://www.ldlines.com/

No, it's just not right! And the biceps with the veins about to explode...............icky or what! Give me a man with a beer belly any day! Louise

 Looks very expensive!! (we looked a while back at home delivery and decided to was just too much!). We are 2 hours15 away. http://www.ikea.com/ms/fr_FR/popup/shipping_method_direct_eng.html Would it be cheaper to hire a van yourself? Although won't help with the stock problem it may work out less than paying someone a days wage. Louise

yep I'm with you JK. Too slimy! [+o(] 

Some info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormouse http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loir_%28animal%29#R.C3.A9partition_g.C3.A9ographique Louise

They have just arrived! (I only have 10........ah well at least it doesn't clog up the inbox!!) Louise

    No, mine aren't working now! Been like this for the last couple of days i think. I've not noticed a problem before............. [8-)]????????????????

       I guess it is easier to price work when it is something you make regularly, you know how long it takes, how much for materials etc. But for something that you create for the first time that has taken hours of thought and experimentation, it must be very difficult. If you are very emotionally attached to a piece of work there is always the thought that the price could never realistically reflect the processes that went into making it. To be able to work and make as you wish (and not get much money) must be more satisfying than producing things that don't inspire you just to bring in the cash. Many artists/ craftspeople i have met have 2 different work styles, the things that they want to make and the other which are bread and butter pieces. It must be tricky to find the right balance. Louise

 Cats!!!! Ours have caught 2 in the last 24 hours! They are lovely little creatures though, and i like to see them. Also they don't seem interested in coming inside the house. (Loirs that is, not the cats!) Louise

   I like the goblets jonzjob. How long does it take to make one??? Also odd question, when you go to craft fairs etc, why are the woodworkers always making/selling wooden mushrooms??!! (varying in size up to the chainsaw lot!) I have made some steel mushrooms though....................[:)] Louise

    I keep seeing them fairly cheap. I paid about £40 for mine back in the uk. I'm sure it was Foir  Fouille that has them the other day for 10 euro. (don't quote me on that though! It could have just been a promotion or somewhere else entirely!)   http://www.lafoirfouille.fr/les_magasins_la_foirfouille.htm  I have also seen them cheap elsewhere, possibly in the supermarkets. Can't remember now though! Keep looking around, they do exist! Also if you do find one i think you need flour type '45' which is the same as uk type '00'. Louise

    Odd isn't it! Currently 16 degrees here, sun is out though! brrrrrr................. is it time to get out the winter woollies. Maybe we have bypassed august............????????? Although after all that hot weather i think i will always feel cold when it is below 30 degrees! Louise

    I think it is possibly about the same, although you don't seem to get many promotions in the supermarkets as you do in the UK (buy one get one free etc). Prices for Alcohol and eating out are a lot cheaper over here though! Louise

    Latest news here! http://www.charente.com/extranet_en/index.php?action=current&id_edition=46&pos=0 Louise