Just Katie

[quote user="sweet 17"]Or more money than sense.  Sorry Katie, just a joke at your expense.  And I'm allowed aren't I as I am honorary Welsh?[/quote] You can be whatever you want Sweetie,  I would be a bit of a hyprocrite if I did not allow people to have a pop at me.  As my mum used to say "If you don't like the taste of your own medicine................" [:)]

[quote user="ErnieY"] Exactly so Claire, and to you Katie, there you go with the male stereo typing [:(] No, I most emphatically will not "stop dah dee dah ing when the female aussie volleyball squad are strutting their stuff", I'm not quite that shallow [kiss]   [/quote] I wish all men were like you Ernie [:D] What you doing next Saturday

Well I am quite looking forward to it.  I am still struggling a bit with French an it will be the only TV I will understand.   Apart from Le Quartiem Duel (something like that).  Keeps me on the edge of my seat that.  Seriously

Thank you for replying Cerise,  I too love dogs but have never allowed mine in the bedrooms.  What about people who suffer from allergies?  I had a cat once and even when she was out of the house my friends son would have the most awful reactions when visiting.  So much, she had to stop coming to me. I think the large chain hotels limit the welcoming of 'crated' dogs (for what that is worth) to a small selection of rooms which is fine as long as this is made known to all guests.

Hi Helen,. What accomodation are you taking?  Meeting other people of her age will of course be much easier on a campsite.  My daughter went last year with a friend and her parents.  They met loads of people their age, mostly French and willing to show off their English skills. If you are staying somewhere quieter, would you not consider taking along a friend?  Two years ago, my son was 16 and dug his heels in because he did not want to come on holiday with us and, it turned out to be a complete waste of money.  He sulked and moaned for a fortnight.  Most teenagers have no interest in culture and pretty stone villages and your daughter sounds typical of this normal behaviour therefore another idea would be to drop her off at the nearest Mac Donalds or Haagen Das Parlour and enjoy a well earned break from her [:-))] Edit Well for a few hours at least

Please don't gun me down for this but do these 'animal welcoming' b&b's allow the dogs, cats whatever into the rooms?

[quote user="TWINKLE"] I used to drink it with vodka on a Saturday night when I visited my family and friends in Wales a few years back.  I soon stopped though - it's no fun climbing up the curtains at 9am on a Sunday morning when all you really want to do is sleep for a few hours[:(] [/quote] Well you was making weird laughing noises at the the time

[quote user="ErnieY"] but I'll close my eyes, put my fingers in my ears and chant la de da de da de da de da until it's over [:P]     [/quote] Yeah yeah, but I bet you stop dah dee dah ing when the female aussie volleyball squad are strutting their stuff. [:-))] Monika, I love the olympics, it reminds me of summer and there is such a selection of sport, there must be one which excites you.  What about diving? [:)]

[quote user="Tressy"] [quote user="Just Katie"]Oh and will you hurry up and send my leather jacket and white sunglasses up please.[:)][/quote] Are you finding it cold up North, Katie?[blink] [/quote] Nooo I just like to look styleeesh [8-|]

[quote user="TWINKLE"] Thank you for your lovely posts - they are really appreciated. I just wanted to say that the forum has helped me quite a lot over last two years that I've been a member.  When I'm not working and my husband is playing and my daughter is tucked up in bed,  it's hard not to have gloomy ideas going through your mind.  The forum helped me let off steam and have a giggle and a moan - all which kept my mind wandering off into the black hole.       [/quote] Yes Twinks, I know this forum has lifted you. If fact, I think you have now met half of the members[:-))] A kiss for you and little twinks Xx and Monsieur x.  So glad the worries are now behind you and you are all hunky dorey.  See you soon [:)] at Brittany. Oh and will you hurry up and send my leather jacket and white sunglasses up please.[:)]

Hello Blackcat, On the subject of work for your husband, I commuted to France from UK working part time for a numer of months.  I found it quite easy to do.  Is your husband in an occupation where he could undertake consultancy work in the UK? Or even work part time?  I know maybe this would not be ideal for you, but it is a feasible plan B. Oh, and with regards to renting from agencies, beware of the fees

I quite enjoy reading the experiences of gite/hotel owners on this forum such as the current thread "Is it just me?" However, life is a two way street and I wonder if  there as many accommodation providers who are as clueless, rude, opportunist etc as the guests which are often discussed? A few years back I accepted a tariff from a lady  to rent a lovely gite for a week .  When we were about to book, she had slipped an extra 250 pounds into the price.  When I queried this, I was told that it was for the hire of the towels.  After telling her I did not want them, she got all uppity with me and told me that her towels were lovely, white and fluffy.  Hardly 250 quids worth of enjoyment in my experience.  She ended up losing my booking because she really started nagging me about the towels to a point which made me feel uncomfortable.  I mean, can you imagine staying in a place like that?

Val, I was thinking the same.  Someone would definitely get the frying pan.  You have to be the right type of person to run this sort of business and dont they earn every penny. RH,  I would hardly call these people cautious and agree with puzzled.  I remember getting mine bathed and in their babygrows  to go out in the evening whilst on holiday. They always came with us.  I remember the great feeling of freedom when they fell asleep and we could spend the last few hours in peace [:)]

I only discovered this a few weeks ago and am additcted to fromage blanc with a dolop of this.  I have never seen it in the UK and dont believe that it is widely used there, hence me not knowing about it. I have a mouthful of the stuff right now and am in heaven.  What else can I used it for?

No Jura, you would never know it.  The way he stormed Wales and Scotland, you seem far more gentle. [Www] [:D]

Nah do it yourself Oldgit [:-))].  Dont forget to prop as you go though or you may come out with a few little bumps on the head.  Seriously though please take the advice given, this is genuinely not a job for the novice.

Nectarine,  I remember that thread well and was of the same opinion as you if you remember.  However, Glueys grievence is different in that he WAS the OP on the tenants thread and it seems he has got the hump after a comment made about his toilet seat. Dont get me wrong, I too consider Gluey to be one of the more colourful characters of the forum, but I am a little surprised that he can start a thread by commenting how tasteless three women are dressed for Ascot then when someone says more or less the same about his toilet seat he goes and gets all uppity over it. A rule for one..........?

[quote user="5-element"] The Lycée Francais in Kensington, opened in 1915 and has about 3,500 pupils. It has been around long enough to attract the French in London who can afford it, and who could afford to move into that exclusive area. It was quite natural to congregate loosely around their Lycée, I expect this is how most immigrant groups end up being in a particular area. Many French people who move to London now, to this day, will probably know about the Lycée. If they have children, they are bound to wish to send them there for their education, which AFAIK, is bilingual. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyc%C3%A9e_Fran%C3%A7ais_Charles_de_Gaulle [/quote] Sorry 5E, I missed your post.  Thank you for the information but the French must have already been in the area for the school to open and meet their needs. 

[quote user="cooperlola"]The reverse is true, also, is it not, JK?  There seem to be areas of France where Brits congregate, don't there? - although I guess not quite as small as Kensington.[/quote] Yes Coops, we know that, and have discussed it before.  But I don't ever recall discussing what attracts the French to UK, especially Kensington.

Come on Cathy, hurry up, we are waiting [:@]   [:D]  Good luck to you both

[quote user="Russethouse"]Could it have started with Embassy staff  ? - the Embassy is in nearby Knightsbridge.......[8-)][/quote] Yes, maybe.  I have tried on Wiki but nothing, only about the school. 

I wonder why there are so many French in Kensington.  I know that there is a school there, but seriously, what took them there and when?

[quote user="Panda"]Yes put it down to experience and move on.  Was he cute though?  Any silver lining at all??[/quote] Actually yes, but hardly 105 euros worth for 10 minutes.

Well we live and learn dont we?  I could have been worse.  There, that's my Pollyanna moment over. [:D]

Sunshine and no hoodies [:-))]. Seriously, it is not too far from home, I have always enjoyed attempting to speak French.  It is unbelievable how quickly you progress when living the the country.  So if anyone would like some advice on speaking French, I am your girl. [geek]