Rob Roy

On TV this morning Simon Calder said that those flying in to the UK were able to carry hand luggage, but those flying out, and using internal flights, were not allowed any (apart from bits previously stated). He also said that once past security there is nothing to stop you buying stuff at the Duty/Tax free shops (if they have any at your airport!) - which presumably will be checked again at the gate where you will need to show a receipt.

I would think you could use a plum or greengage jam recipe quite successfully. We have also got loads more mirabelle on our trees this year, (even on trees that don't usually have any) but none of them are ripe yet[:(]

Didn't need the bucket after all, only got 28 [img]http://bestsmileys.com/sad/8.gif[/img]

[quote user="Russethouse"]Give it a week and Shami  Chakrabarti will be on our screens ..........( I know I'm a dreadful old cynic)[/quote] A long as a week - surely not??[;-)] She's probably already booked for Andrew Marr's prog on Sunday morning[:)]

"If a rescue society is happy for a cat to be kept in all the time but at least have a loving owner, who are we to question?" Well, I am for one. What sort of life is it for any animal (on four legs) to be kept shut inside a building 24/7? To be frank, and I am going to upset quite a few people now, some rescue societies have a completely cockeyed view of animal welfare. Animals should not be saved at all cost, come what may, even when on their last legs, living a life that suits the human and giving them a supposedly clear conscience. They are animals, for goodness sake, not human beings. They live, they fight, the fittest survive. That is not to say we should not look after our pets to the best of our ability, offering them a good life, good food and affection and when it is time for them to die making sure they do not suffer unnecessarily.

[quote user="catalpa"][quote user="Rob Roy"]Yes, but not so easy when your Prefecture refuses to change your licence - 'it is not necessary Madame'[/quote]  [:D] Love it! Our Prefecture officials nodded approvingly when we went in and explained we wanted a French licence. "Of course, you live here, it's obligatoire". We smiled and nodded agreement - on the basis that life's too short to explain the real facts to French officialdom when the real facts don't really matter. [/quote] And that about sums up France really, doesn't it? To misquote: "Its not what you know, its where you live, that matters"[:D]

Our neighbour grows potatoes commercially - supplying the local markets (and us!). He stores them in huge heaps in his barns - in the dark. When I want any I just go and fill a bucket[:D]

Bound to get a response with a title like that![:D]

The France Telecom website will tell you as well, and after all it is them that are supplying the lines![:)]

Why do you think French schools will be too much for him. Personally I would prefer my children to adjust to French schools (even with a struggle) than go to any type of boarding school anywhere.

[quote user="catalpa"]Following all the debates over the years about whether you have to / or should change your UK driving licence for a French driving licence when you're here permanently, here (at last!) is a good reason to do so. [:)] [/quote] Yes, but not so easy when your Prefecture refuses to change your licence - 'it is not necessary Madame'

[quote user="Christine Animal"] That is your way of thinking Mary.  Then don't complain when something happens to them... [:)]   [/quote] As far as I know I didn't complain about loosing my kitten- I was just sad that it had happened and wanted to share it with someone who might understand. I agree with everything Pads has written. Cats are free spirits, and to cage them or confine them is just as cruel in my opinion as ill treating them. At the end of the day they are animals, not humans, and one should never try and give them human emotions.

I got an adaptor for my modem (which is the same as a phone isn't it?) when we arrived over here from the local computer shop. At the time I didn't know it was possible and lugged the whole computer with me as I thought he would have to change the lead (which went straight into the back of the unit, not plugged in). I did feel a prat when he just produced an adaptor[:$]

Well said (Mrs) Mozman. [quote user="Judith"]Somewhere in all this a sense of proportion has to be re-introduced.  Of course, they want to kill.  Of course, we don't want even one plane to be affected this way - BUT - does the governent intend to put such draconian regulations into place that no-one will fly and the commercial world becomes paralysed?  I note what John said about the IRA threat in the 70s - and know people who felt the same, but were determined not to let the b****** win by giving in.  It is obvious that this state of high alert cannot go on for ever - but the other point not made clear - will the restrictions be lifted asap (as they say they will) or is this government (and John Reid who is only covering his back after all in his comments) so frightened about the consequences that they will keep them on much longer than required.  O -  for a Churchill or a Thatcher to stand up for reason! [/quote] Ahh - so is it the really the current government you are complaining about, or the restrictions put in place today? The comments repeated by John Reid had already been said by the Assistant Police Commissioner, but I suppose he was only covering his back as well. I would think that, although 21 suspects are already under arrest, while the police carry out more searches etc in various parts of the country the security forces want to be sure they have detained as many people as possible that could be linked to this particular cell or group. Apparently the plan was to blow up a minimum of three transatlantic planes over the ocean, then the same again a couple of days later, and then again after that; with some of the bomb making device carried as liquid in fizzy drink bottles. It is being quoted that it was potentially more catastrophic than 9/11.

How do you secure a cat from anything apart from keeping it in a run, which in my opinion is not much better than keeping one shut in a house all the time. Cats run, climb, jump etc up and over almost anything in order to get where they want to be, that's the nature of the beast. They are a far more independent animal than a dog, and like to go off and do their own thing every now and then, as well as having much more of the hunter instinct in them than the average family dog. I love my cats, I also love my dogs, but they are not treated in the same way as they do not have the same habits. (Even if the cats do join the walks with the dogs[:)])  

You think you've got problems! You ought to see their (French) faces [8-)] when my husband produces his birth cert. It is from Southern Rhodesia (as was) - we have to explain where that is, let alone anything else[:D]

 "I have no objection to increased security, nor do I mind some overkill - initially - but several posters have already understood that threat though there obviously is - the terrorists win every time, if we go overboard about security" But is it not disruption that the fanatics want, it is death, and according to latest reports that is what has been foiled today - "mass death and destruction on an unpresidented scale" which are strong words for the Home Secretary to use. Regarding the passport checks - I don't see how that would make any difference at all to what a person might carry on to a plane in their hand luggage. It has also been said on the new reports that although  the security checks and scans are normally carried out on hand luggage it still relies on human surveillance and operation (of the scans) which can never be 100% due to its very nature, and in this situation that is not considered adequate, hence the clampdown.

Gifi and Foire Fouille (?spelling) have loads at cheap prices.

And what if they had not reacted and numerous planes were blown up? The security services are in a no-win situation. Personally I would rather be inconvenienced than dead. I am not sure what you mean about the overkill re the bomb attacks last year - could you explain? "Why does Ryanair not mention it on their website ?" Ryanair have fairly comprehensive information on their website now - they have put several updates on during the morning.  

Did you know that in France artists are treated as a 'special case' and get good tax breaks, as well as lower SS payments?

[quote user="Cassis"]Sounds great, Jonzjob!  What's wrong with it? I've been out picking plums from our boundary hedge this afternoon - blimmin' basketsful of wild plums, yellow and purple.  Thank God it's Jude's job to stone them and make the jam!  There also seem to be redcurrant bushes in the hedge.  The rest is a mixture of various types of willow and field maple, plus others I can't identify.  A nice mixed hedge like this is really nice if your priority is not screening - obviously it is mainly see-through in winter.  The red and yellow willow wands look fab in the winter sunshine. [/quote] I hate people that show off[;-)][:D] (O.K. I'm just jealous[:(])

I shall stand by with a bucket to catch them as they fall off the screen[:-))]

Re. the postal query. We have sent parcels to the UK for birthdays, Christmas etc without having any problems with the French postal service. However, I have sent a parcel from London to my husband here in France by Parcel Force and it was a complete shambles. I can only speak as I find! [Www]

I suspect the ones mentioned at 12 euros are those intended for supporting plasterboard etc as a '3rd Hand' when you are working inside. They are not designed to take the weight, or the place of, a proper Acrow prop.

I'm getting them sometimes - and then again sometimes not .....[8-)]