virginia.c

hhm. I think a mod would have to advise there as I am about the most useless computer person on this forum. When you say shortcut, do you mean you used the pm facility? Anyhow, I can't give you any schools advice but I could put you in touch with an English electrician in the Dordogne so that you could get some good advice re workng here. I'll pm you my number.

How funny is this? Have just seen on the Beeb news website that Somali Pirates have attacked a French naval vessel, mistakenly believing it to be a cargo ship! Imagine the pirates surprise when they were not only repelled but caught and captured.. As they say, Should have gone to specsavers...

Ive just checked the thong drawer (partner's obviously) only to discover that the leopard skin thong has a velcro lining. Am more than happy to lend it out however... Re the lavender, I was given a tip about a lavender farm near Cazals in the Lot. Run by an English couple I am planning a trip down there. I want to plant two lavender hedges either side of a path (yet to be started) and they sound like good people to source and recommend the right kind of lavender varieties for the terrain here in my part of the Dordogne. I am going to contact your guy - soon as I've managed to gather the rest of my walnuts.

is happening to me to. Again, only on this site

How about a leopard skin thong? That should see them off permanently..... Oh, and nails to match obviously...

I wish I was nearer Frenchie. Perfect weather today too. I missed so many of the summer ones as it was too hot!! Hope you enjoy it and pick up some bargains.

Hi there and welcome. There are plenty of threads on the forum about living and working here which you can look up. I can't give you any specific advice, but i do know that registering properly for work is very important. It does sound like your trade is one that could find plenty of work here. If you were in the Dordogne I could probably call on your services myself, and I wouldn't be the only one. Best of luck. Great that you speak French and already have family and a base here.

Ok. Here's a recommendation for anyone wanting a good value lunch in Sarlat. La Rapiere in the centre. 15 euros for a great meal. Smoked salmon starter, confit for main with fantastic potatoes and salad and a lovely tart tatin for pudding. Really simple but good cooking and great value. Nice service and definitely worth a visit.

Hoping someone can give me a good recommendation where to have lunch in Sarlat today? We'd like to eat outside to enjoy the weather and please the dog. Recently had lunch in the Hostellerie la Roseraie in Montignac and it was lovely. We just happened upon it as it a small hotel just off the main Montignac drag. Lovely courtyard garden, comfortable seating, very nice people and food. If by some miracle someone has been there and knows somewhere in Sarlat of a similar type I would love a recommendation please!

Re the laxative properties - trust me people - no need to do anything to them! And, I had been thinking about crumble so put a couple of them in the freezer yesterday just to see how they are when defrosted - will let you know. I think that;s a good idea and will try it, also the tart idea. In desperation yesterday I drove round with a full bucket in the car handing out figs to all and sundry. A campsite took a few (not that gratefully - maybe the toilets weren't up to scratch), then an old lady in the centre of Hautefort who looked at me as if I were completely crazy, but took the rest. At this rate I'll be lobbing them out of the windows whilst racing past the odd unfortunate at great speed and with my numberplate disguised.

Hi there. I'm no expert but I did look into trying to get a cost effective mobile broadband deal for the summer to use here in France. I couldn't find anything cost effective at all. The only thing I did find was that Vodafone did a summer promotion via a SIM deal where you could get up to 300 minutes and unlimited texts per month for £20. The minutes were to be used calling to the UK from France. It was called Vodafone Passport I think. I wonder if it is worth you just looking at the major providers to see if there may be anything similar for when you are here? I can't believe that we still can't get mobile broadband competitively outside of the UK. It's got to happen eventually, but probably not in time for your trip. Why not give Vodafone/Talk Talk/02 and the others a call and just ask the question? Good luck - it's a frustrating search!

Nasty and hurtful comments are to be regretted and I'm sure everyone is very relieved that a good home has been found for your dog. Speaking for myself only (and I hadn't read this thread until today) I was quite shocked that you were giving up a dog of this age and were (possibly) prepared to have him put down. As an owner of a bad tempered 12 year old Westie who has been with me since the age of 8 weeks - I could no more give him up than cut off my right arm. He loathes children, doesn't much like people and enjoys greeting other dogs, as long as they don't expect him to play with them. Needless to say, he loves me unreservedly and I am more or less at his beck and call. Elderly animals don't rehome well, they have such strong bonds with their families, and of course are more prone to illnesses. Having had him with you for so many years I think many of us, whilst understanding your issues, were a little taken aback by the fate which may have befallen him. I am very pleased he has found a new home and hope that he lives long and prospers.

thank you for that Clair. I would never have thought of fig ice cream, but I think I may give it a go. Should be able to make around 100 litres!

When I wanted a pull cord fitted recently, the electrician told me I would have to buy one in England and bring it out as I would not be able to buy it here. He didn't say anything about regulations.

I have two large fig trees bursting with fruit. I can only eat so many and loathe them in any other cooked/pickled or preserved guise. Both my trees grow on a fairly steep bank but I do have an impressive long tool with which to nab them. I have tried to give them to my French neighbour but she's got too many herself to be interested. My question is, if anyone lives near Hautefort and for some reason cannot find figs, you are very welcome to come and pick some fresh and delicious ones for yourself. I can't bear watching them rot! Pm me if you are interested.

Oh well done you! My head hurts and i'm already worried about whether I'll be capable of dressing myself in the morning! But, when I'm calmer I will retrace my steps and try to work out where I went wrong. Actually, this pic doesn't show just how wide the head and body are. I did take another one which I'll have another go with tomorrow. Thanks to everyone who has tried to help - much appreciated.

Lordy. When I click on edit, no little green earth or anything for that matter, is there. When I post a normal reply to a post I only get a very small box to reply in which appears on the left of the page. Could this be why it doesn't appear? And I was having such a good day!!

[IMG]http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af290/virginiac_photos/ChariotteJune2009024.jpg[/IMG] It's only taken me the full half hour and I bet it still doesn't work. Clair - the instructions were great, unfortunately I'm not! link repaired by a mod

Oh I know it's a salamander and I'm such an idiot that I can't get my photo to attach to this!! I'm so completely useless on computers - if anyone can help, please keep your instructions absolutely simple - as if you were instructing a 3 year old!

sounds like a salamander and apparently they are poisonous so don't be tempted to pick up!. They like dark, damp places - I found one curled up in a flower pot underneath some rotting dank wood. I did take a picture and if I can work out how to attach it I will post it later.

Quite a few in the sky today, but noticeably fewer...

Amazing isn't it? Credit cards took the place of travellers cheques year's ago and have been 100% pretty much for travellers ever since. Whatever the explanation the card companies give us, it means that we are really exposed in Europe at the moment. I now carry around an amount of cash with me that will cover a full tank of fuel plus a meal etc. I don't like carrying even this around to be honest. I wonder what the credit card companies are doing about this? Just on today's posting there are clearly a number of people with whom this issue resonates - and, if nothing else, it is very embarrassing when it happens. I was very lucky that the first time it happened - after I had filled my tank full - we had enough cash on us. Do I understand everyone correctly that even a Visa card makes no difference?

I wish I'd seen the neck lock - and the faces of the other customers! Nothing so exciting goes on at my CL. They are unfailingly charming and helpful - exactly the same as my local (and v small) branch of Barclays.

Both the mastercards I have are via store cards, don't want to name them but just think a very, very annoyng femail voiceover ad on TV and "it's not just food" etc. And I can't think how to describe the other one! Anyhow, they are large concerns both. I have good limits on them and have always paid both off on a monthly basis. When I spoke to one of them today, she said that the problem was with the French banks, ie she could see the transaction that I had tried to make today - they had approved it but it had then been rejected by the French bank allied to the French retailer I was attempting to purchase from. According to her there was nothing they could do but they hoped the problem wouldn't last too much longer! Whether this is true or not I have no way of knowing. Like you Britgirl I have never either card rejected before. And I take the point re the Nationwide from the previous poster - thank you. I did though search out my old Barclaycard and I've ordered a new pin number so, hopefully by next week the problem should be sorted although I will not be able to collect points for irritating food for a while! On the positive side, the store let me have the bed and sidetable as they understand the problem and I've bought a fair bit from them before. Come next week mind you, they may well want it back!!

Interesting. Do you have a Visa credit card you can bring with you? If you have, it might be as well if you do. What did you mean by getting them reinstated by the way?