Meg

    Metal just happened by accident really. I was at college and decided to drop one of my 3 'A' Levels, but need something else to fill my timetable. A friend mentioned a Jewellery design course, and i began at one day a week. Then when i finished my 'A' levels i did the Jewellery/  course full time. So that first got me hooked. Then went to uni and decided larger scale/ forge work appealed a lot more. (less messing around polishing out every tiny scratch, now that does take patience!)  I just enjoy the way metal can be manipulated and find as you say, i just relax into it! Also with metal if you get fed up if something is not working you can lob it across the workshop and it doesn't break!!!! I couldn't bear to spend hours working on something for it to break right at the last moment, eg, glass, ceramics. Ideally i would like a huge workshop with lots of equipment but i think i am going to have to start small. Also limiting yourself to very basic tools and equipment brings its own interesting challenges. I feel inspired to get on with it just talking about it. I really miss bashing some metal!

[quote user="Chris Head"] Is the medium itself important to an artist or just a means to expression? Chris [/quote] For me i would have to say the medium is what is important. I'm a metalworker, nonpracticing unfortunately at the moment as i am waiting to sort out a workshop. I prefer to work with the material to see what develops rather than plan and draw too much first. It's a love of the material that inspires me. Louise

A good investment then!!!!! Gald you are doing well with the remaining fingers. Good luck with next Tuesday! Happy cooking, Louise

    Excellent idea!! Looking forward to posting and reading in this new section!!! [:)] Louise

   http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5203812.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5211742.stm It's been really hot for weeks though!!?? [8-)]

    I can't find one.............[:(]

[quote user="Christine Animal"]Does anyone know if there is a similar system for the UK as I would love to look at places where we lived, but the Google Earth doesn't zoom in so close as the Pages Jaunes.     [/quote] You can view Ariel photo's of UK on http://multimap.com/, do a normal search for an address and click the Ariel icon. I think that Google Earth is probably closer though. It may vary i guess. Louise

[quote user="Davehume"] there is an alternative, a box which simply just plugs in to your existing cordless phone and utilises that so you have the same freedom as a normal phone but using the internet to make the call, I have been using one of these boxes for a while now with no problems it was also very easy to install (which makes a change), [/quote] Thanks Dave, Have just been looking at these recently as i use skype a lot. There are quite a few on ebay at the moment but i wasn't totally sure how it all worked! So, nice to know that youv'e tried one and it works ok!! Louise

 Been looking on Internet and found this.......... Take a paper bag as big as your head and blow it up. Tie off the end so it retains its shape and hang it near where you do not want them to go. The wasps will think it is an enemy nest and stay away. However, wasps are not stupid, just a little slow, so when you have finished whatever it is you do not want the wasps to participate in, take down the bag otherwise they will see through the ruse. I can't find anything about plants being a deterrent though. Now to find a paper bag................I need to go in my mini pool without being harrased!! Louise

Thanks for your help PG, No i haven't got as far as finding an auto ecole yet! I Thought that by begining to study for the theory it would help with my French before i register with a driving school. At least now i can get the ball rolling!! Louise

    Yes Cassis is right. This is the route we have taken from Calais to Angouleme. Definately avoid Paris! Louise

Hi, Thanks all for the advice! Now i don't have any excuse to not get on with it!!! The websites are fun if not frightening at my lack of knowledge, not sure if it is general driving knowledge at fault ( did my uk theory test about 9 years ago) or my french!!! [:$] PG, are the questions on permis ecole the ones that are actually in the test?? Which package did you go for? Thanks again Louise

    Hi I am considering taking my driving test over here. But before i start i want to get to grips with some of the terminology for the theory test. I have heard about CD-ROMs to help with the theory test. Can anyone recommend one??  Then at least i can start to get used to the language etc. before taking the plunge!! Thanks Louise

    We were living in a caravan for a couple of years before we moved over here and a one point in Ireland we ran out of blue stuff and were miles away from a camping supply shop. So in the end we just didn't bother using any chemicals. There wasn't much of a difference smell wise, it smells bad regardless, so we didn't bother using any again after that. Also it has some nasty chemicals in  eg formaldehyde, which is not good for you. I'd personally rather smell the yuck than the yuck mixed with the horrible smell and toxic chemicals of the blue stuff! Also porta pottis using it shouldn't be emptied in to septic tanks, maybe why it is not readily available over here. We never bothered with the special toilet paper either, just buy the really cheap value stuff, which they have plenty of over here, as it breaks down easily. In the end it all works out a lot cheaper! Louise

    [+o(]  Get well soon massimo! I have one of these little chappies, http://www.cookmate.co.uk/acatalog/info%5f2269%2ehtml which i bought  in the UK. It is made by Kuhn Rikon and was only £5! No sharp edges left on tins and it even tackles the confit de canard tin with no problems!! (..........and i'm left handed!!) Louise

Hi, We drove from Charente to Calais with our dog and decided to only do a one night stop over on the way. He was treated the morning we left at our local vet. This was mainly because we thought it would be less stressful and easier than waiting until we were in / near Calais. (There is enough to think about without the thought of finding a vet etc.) There is some info on vets in Calais here http://www.day-tripper.net/infopetsabroad.html#Anchor-Useful-23240 but you'd be under the Defra 24hours. Otherwise you could look at http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/pj.cgi and see if you can find a vet on the way up and book an appointment. Can't think of an option 3.................! Louise

    If there are that many i think it will be very difficult to get away from them outside. Maybe you could buy a gazebo with sides on it for sitting outside/ eating in?? Failing that buy several of those electric bats amd hand them to your guests on arrival............at least it should make a laugh out of it! ( be warned though, it soon becomes worryingly addictive!)

 Thanks! Ingredients purchased! So will give it a go. With all that alcohol in it i will be drinking it regardless of what it tastes like!!! Louise

Has anyone tried making Vin de Noix?? My neighbour was just telling me about it, but couldn't remember exact quantities etc but was green walnuts, red wine, eau de vie and sugar left for 3 months, i think! Anyone have any tips or recipes??  And most importantly, does it taste nice??!! Thanks, Louise

    I have planted my rocket in a concrete water trough near the house and so far it has remained untouched! Also its easier to pick as required. Stinging nettles seems like a good idea to try, its free and i have plenty!! Louise

    Me and OH got a quote for house insurance the other day and were told that due to the new rules we will be sent a renewal notice and have 20 days (i think) to cancel, otherwise the new insurer said that if we go in to them, they will cancel it on our behalf. We went in with a couple of months to spare as we were worried about cancelling in time but it now seems like it should be hassle free!!

Julie,   I have found some that CP Jardins Jardinez Bio range do an insecticide for 'Pucerons et Autres' which is made from 'Extrait de Derris Elliptica'. It is in liquid form that is diluted with water for spraying. Pucerons are greenfly and on the back of the pack is  a list of the 'autres' which includes Altise (flea beetle). I found it at Mr Bricolage but i guess other bricos/ garden centres should have some. I haven't tried it yet as i am waiting for the threat of rain to pass first. My cabbages and swede are looking very munched! Are they likely to recover?? Also i have just planted out other brassicas today! Hope this helps!! Louise

Very scary!! My lilies have been evicted from the garden! Shame though as they are one of my favorite plants [:(] So glad your cat has recovered and thank you Fay for alerting others to this problem, i hope it helps save some other cats. I shall spread the word!   http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=NewsFeature&articleId=1115280258929&marker=1 Louise

    AHHHHHH!!!!       I had no idea lily pollen was toxic to cats! I was just admiring mine earlier as they have just opened! (i have 3 cats). I will be taking them to a neighbour tomorrow!! Ive just been searching about it on the Internet. So thank you! Sorry for interrupting your post!! PS, yes it is annoying when there is no reply or follow up. I wonder if some people forget to check replies, especially if they sort the problem out just after they have posted??!! Hope the cat is OK!

    Yes ebay is fab! We got our headlights from ebay germany in the end,  definately a  lot cheaper!