Brian Unsworth

PaulT -and many others in your position I'm sure. I came across this in a previous series of postings , and must confess to being quite moved. How true it is, and I can think of holding a couple of our dogs that have had to ask us this with their doggy eyes. It still hurts.   The Last Battle If it should be that I grow frail and weak And pain should keep me from my sleep, Then will you do what must be done, For this -- the last battle -- can't be won. You will be sad I understand, But don't let grief then stay your hand, For on this day, more than the rest, Your love and friendship must stand the test. We have had so many happy years, You wouldn't want me to suffer so. When the time comes, please, let me go. Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, Only, stay with me till the end And hold me firm and speak to me Until my eyes no longer see. I know in time you will agree It is a kindness you do to me. Although my tail its last has waved, From pain and suffering I have been saved. Don't grieve that it must be you Who has to decide this thing to do; We've been so close -- we two -- these years, Don't let your heart hold any tears.     Adam was our boxer bullmastiff cross and we said he could never be replaced, there did not exist a dog that could match him. Thanks to a local refuge we now have one, and despite our feeble protestations we have in fact got two. Before I again lose my veneer of hard north country grit and stoicism and find it hard to see the keyboard clearly I hope the above helps.   My very sincere good wishes   Brian

Just to let you know, after waiting in vain for anyone's experience of the product, I took a chance yesterday and dosed my pup. So far I'm relieved and pleased to report no ill effects, but it's perhaps too early to say if "it does what it says on the tin" Regards to all Brian

In an earlier posting there was some discussion on the adverse reaction to one of the flea/tick treatments. My canine companion and I do agility and at a competition yesterday when remiseing our dossards we were given a goody bag which included Francodex "Ectocycle" pipettes to eliminate eggs larvae and adult fleas. 4 of these each claiming to be active for three months seems a very generous gift by a company to all the competitors. They say if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Has anyone come across this brand - and more importantly used it safely and effectively? My agile dog is too heavy to use these particular freebies, but his 6 month old active playmate falls within the band. Avec mes meilleurs sentiments cynophiles. Brian

Easy peasy! Our permis arrived through the post today, Saturday, only four days after my 30 minute visit to the prefecture. All correct, the envisaged problem of changing my wife's UK category A to EU category B being no problem at all. My HGV entitlements which in any case expired in 2006 have obviously not been renewed, but I am assured from other threads that I am still entitled to tow a caravan - within certain limits - despite the pretty picture on the licence itself. Since I have neither a caravan nor a car capable of towing one this is purely hypothetical. I do have tickets for the Loto tonight so perhaps it may not stay that way!! Thanks to contributors whose input proved helpful. Regards to all, et bonne route. Brian

An update  for readers following this thread. Confident with the knowledge from other threads, and encouraged by AnOther's words, I visited the Prefecture in Cahors yesterday. I was asked only for the forms, two photos à la LeClerc, photocopies of our passports and the UK licences. No utility bill, no marriage lines, that was all. I had duly photocopied the licences as per instructions, but was also asked for these copies as well. Ooops. Let's hope there are no slip-ups - or indeed requests if stopped by the gendarmes because all I can offer is the receipt from the Prefecture for our dossiers! I addressed an envelope to myself, apologised for not having a stamp but the kind lady seemed unfazed, and she said the French permis should arrive within 10 days. She also seemed to consider the change from the old UK category A to the EU category B would be no problem. I was back to the car before the half-hour free parking had expired. Are things going too smoothly, I ask myself. Watch this space: Regards to all et bon courage Brian

Thanks Another, that's reassuring. My French neighbour works in the Prefecture in Cahors so between the three of us we should have no trouble!!! Ooops, hush my big mouth, let's wait and see. Thankyou again Brian

Our UK driving licences are soon to expire, and we are about to change to French permis. The various threads in this section have proved most helpful and I am about to set about the task full of confidence! However, although my licence is the "new" plastic form, and updated with motorcycle entitlement, whereon cars are category B, my wife's original paper only licence still has motor cars as category A. I am sure we are not alone in this situation and I ask if anyone has met this - and more importantly - what needs to be done??? Regards to all. Brian Unsworth

Just been reading through the topic on Internet Scams, and it has prompted me to ask about a related matter. I have received several unsolicited phone calls while living here near Cahors, pointing out that a very important message awaits me if I pressez l'etoile. Instead I press the end of conversation button, and remain ignorant of what may be life-changing news! Has anybody been brave/reckless enough to actually listen to this message, and are they prepared to allay my curiosity as to its earth-shattering contents?? My thanks in advance and in anticipation. Regards to all, Brian

It's gorn!!  Tuesday lunchtime, 14/04, our nagging banner has disparrued whence it came. Don't know how, where or why, but hopefully it won't return. Must admit to not realising how much we appreciated Sky News until we were deprived of the bottom third. Regards to all Brian

Since updating our channel memorisation on Canal+ and Canalsat as requested this morning - 9/04 - the channel identification and summary banner at the foot of the screen refuses to leave us on Ch 362 - Sky News. It even has the audacity to tell us that the chaine is non accessible, patently untrue!! Ch 364 Travel has the same problem, although not as annoying because we hardly watch this. I would appreciate being reassured that it is not our equipment at fault and that others have this problem, and would also be grateful if any viewers have found a way to solve it. I am reluctant to contact Canalsat at this stage because although my French is adequate for face to face conversation, the futility of arm waving, pointing and miming when using the phone puts me off. Hopeful regards Brian

We live in the Lot with our chipped and fully vaccinated Brittany spaniel. If we wanted to take a short holiday in Spain with him, are we likely to need any extra paperwork at the border? My thanks in advance. Brian

Thanks for the information. Theirs seems a bit too powerful - and expensive! - for me. I only need it for occasional use on weeds that have the audacity to pop up on my drive. I've seen a gas canister type £30 or so. Does anyone know if this can be bought in/delivered to France?

I've just read the posts on flame guns, and now wish I hadn't left mine back in England during a previous life. I can't remember seeing one in the gardening centres round here ( Lot 46) and Amazon only deliver in the UK. Does anyone know if they can be purchased over here?? This is my first post by the way so I hope I have done all a poster ought to have done. My thanks to you all in advance - or my apologies if they are needed. Regards, Brian