Maxine

Hi Polremy. Very interested in your mail and we are in the same situation. We do not chat on mobiles or wish to send text messages. But on a cold and rainy day on the motorway, to travel without a phone on board is a very frightening prospect. Like yourselves, we only would need a mobile in case of emergencies! So please could you relate your experience of the Tesco card, if you have one posted to you; inserted and working.Would like to know! Maxine.

I have tried Tiscali, Orange and found them wanting. Switched to Teleconnect and my troubles are over. No contract, cancel when you wish! Helpline and instructions all in English. 'Free' calls to UK and others for 5 euros.pm.There is no contest!

I have just helped my friend, who is feeding a stray cat in the village, to home three kittens, but could anyone tell me how soon after having kittens before the cat could become pregnant again and how long is the gestation period? Also, how long it would take for a female cat to recover from a spaying operation should our friend decide to go down this path?

We are glad to report that both kittens have been rehomed together.

Just finished watching Jean de Florette and although I have seen it before, the tears still fell. What a complete story it was spread over two parts! They dont make them like that any more! Mores the pity!

Martin, surely the only answer to your query is to put the house up for sale and make a few inquiries locally to size up the rental market. When eventually you get an offer and accept it, you arrange to take a six month let near the completion date and move out your posessions!. Then you start looking for the new house to buy!

Thanks everyone for your helpful information. I am now approaching a couple of suppliers knowing what to ask for!

As our large resevoir of wood for our wood burning stove was used up last winter and never have ordered any before . . . . . .(We inherited a great pile when we purchased the house!) . . . . .it is now time to get a few more cords stockpiled. I heard that you should really buy and keep it for a year before attempting to burn it so as to allow it to dry out!  As this will not now be possible, can one purchase wood already for burning? I have an address of a local supplier, but would like to be clear on this before I attempt to order. My French terminology does not quite cover this operation therefore I should like to know what to ask for when ordering.

Good news! The black male has been re-homed and we are still working on the others with photos in shops and stores around Ruffec. Living in hope!"

Anyone following the saga of the 'poor wandering one', will no doubt be please to learn that the young lady owner has made the 700 odd mile return journey and brought it safely back to its home! That is what I call dedication! Thank you for your support!

Thank you Catalpa and Pads for your helpful input. At the moment it does look like the young lady in question thinks that she is going to make the journey herself to pick the kitten up. I will update this thread if and when there is any progress.

Having just been the victim of a car shunt accident, whereby my husbandand I were left with painful whiplash, I was wondering if there is a means of sueing the lady motorist who ran into the back of us. She apologised by saying 'Sorry, but I ws looking in the boutique window as I drove down the street!' . OK!, it is all been reported to our respective insurers, but as the car did not seem to be damaged; the fender taking the strain, we have been put to a lot of inconvenience and expense. Two visits to the insurance bureau, two visits to our doctor plus a visit to have X-Rays taken. Total bill so far if Euro250, which no doubt we can claim back from the CPAM. But what of the pain? We both have had permanent headaches, painful necks and spine and in my husbands case, constant tinitus. All this many days after the incident! We know that in the UK we would contact one of those TV solicitors and they would take up the case and would receive damages to the tune of a couple of K each! Is this practice followed in France at all? Does anyone know?

We are looking for homes for three kittens who are living in Nanteuil en Vallee. They are being fed by a husband and wife, but as they have health problems, they are not able to take them on permanently. Unfortunately there seems to be a policy of rounding up all unowned cats in this village and their fate can only be imagined. There is one cute female tabby and  two black; male and female. They are about 9 weeks old and would fit in delightfully into any household. Please give me a reply if you are interested in helping us! 

An English young girl, who lives nearby (Ruffec area) lost her young cat. Then she heard quite dramatically that it has hitch-hiked itself to Cherbourg. It stowed itself away on a truck that was travelling back to the UK. Not having the neccessary documents, the driver could not take it with him but managed to leave it at a Cat Sanctuary nearby.  Now she wishes to retrieve it, but will have to make the return journey there and back, which is about 750 miles;  a long and expensive drive. Is there anyone reading this who might be passing through Cherbourg, who could pick it up and bring it back for her? Please help!

, A friend of ours, who lives in Poitiers, lost her one year old kitten cat. After making inquiries it was found to have stowed away on a lorry which was calling near her house and was found by the driver at Cherbourg. Not being able to return, or take it with him to the UK, it was left in care of a local animal sanctuery. She badly wants it back and she tells me that she was prepared to make the trip there and back to recover it. This of course would be very arduous and expensive. Has anyone any alternative ideas which could solve this situation. Maxine