Framboise

Theres a similar scheme operating in several high category penitentiaries in USA whereby the prisoners take in dogs from the pound and rehabilitate them as helper dogs etc. It was heartwarming to see these hardened prisoners giving their love and devotion to abandoned dogs, helping them to find new lives and families of their own where before they were discarded like rubbish. It was noted that most of the guards now owned Prison Dogs, as well as a good number of the prisoners who were released had their canine chums waiting for them back with their families. Some prisoners even got jobs working as dog trainers for the Guide Dogs association on release. And then there was the Bird Man of Alcatraz. I heard Rose West is an animal lover though - she was allowed to keep a rabbit.

A friend of ours has lived here over 12 years, out of which 11 have been spent arguing with the french authorities as to the relevance of equestrian qualifications from uk. France do not recognise them despite uk authorities saying that they are completely admissable when setting out for work here. However after going to the european courts our friend has finally been given given permission to teach their particular skills in horsemanship, but at a price - they have been accredited with really low level compared to what they actually achieved back in uk. Please research this aspect thoroughly before you arrive en France to avoid disappointment.

Might this be an immature buttercup plant? They have a pale line running around the leaf which parsely does'nt.

Tht is wonderful news. Its always heartening to read that another poor little soul has finally found a wonderful new life with folk who really do care!!

Thats what I like to see, a happy ending!! The pity is that these poor dogs end up in the refuge, however if it means they get the chance at a proper family life then so be it imo - better that than some unthinkable fate for them. I will never regret taking our Charley from the SPA for he is the most wonderful dog with such a character. He has even learned English for us!

We have already found the beginnings of a wasp nest in the roof so they were despatched asap. Friends are doing a renovation of an old building on their property and to their horror the roofer discovered an absolutely huge colony of what he said were honeybees inside the wall. The apiarist came to take them away next day, but alas he took one look and said "Non!" because they are not honeybees so he doesn't want them obviously. It looks like this old thriving colony will be destroyed instead which is a shame.

Quaking in their boots after that.................

Of course I am an inmmigrant, however, if I want to be a foreigner then I shall be one HERE rather than in the place I was born. Moreover, we are taking nothing from the french system because we have paid nothing into it since we are relative new arrivals. You cannot say that about those who arrive knowing only the words "DSS"

Well said Chessie!

Dodgy landlords are not confined to those offerring accomodation to romanians etc. The nieces of a friend of ours from USA are taking a gap year and decided they wanted to spend it in London - the hub of Europe they said. They trawled the internet to find a reputable agency in London from where to rent a place for the duration of their stay, choosing a charming little bijou apartment in Islington, they paid their deposit by Banker's Draft as instructed, got their contracts and were even sent a set of keys by mail. They were really looking forward to their Year in London! These two girls caught their flight over from NY and keys in hand they took a taxi from Heathrow to Islington....................only to discover to their utter horror that although the road existed the house did not. They had been ripped off well and truly for £5,000! (The girl's father was a lawyer who had thoroughly checked out all the documents before the girls signed for the flat, yet they were still turned over by a charlatan). Worst bit was that effectively the two girls were homeless for the night and ended up in a rather grotty hotel until their cousin came back from her holiday and took them in. It happens to a lot of folk, not just those who don't want to pay rent.

I shall write this as someone of Romany Decent - I will play my Ethnic Card. If somebody - nay anybody - tried to move into my place whilst I was at the supermarket well I would be flaming hacked-off for a start and rightfully so since it's MY Home, not theirs to move into just because they feel they have the right to do so. They could try of course but I suspect my two Devil Dogs / Status Dogs may deter then from that idea. Furthermore I know precisely what my Romany Grandad would have done if he had found them in his house. Exactly what he did to the ****s who were trying to steal his rabbits during the War - he gave 'em two barrells of rocksalt in the backside for their trouble and needless to say he never had that again. In France its probably not so much of an issue finding intruders moving into in your place because many homeowners also have a gun or two -legal or othewrwise. Its unwise to take the risk I'd say. Where I used to live they have a great deal of trouble with Romanians and other eastern europeans killing the swans to eat from Richmond Park, Bushy & Home Parks, as well as the emptying of all the carp from the various lakes and ponds in there. Both are considered great delicacies for which if you can steal 'em, why buy them? (Not swans because they are the Queen's property and NOBODY is allowed to kill them irrespective). It does happen you know.

Some years ago I had two Danes - wonderful gentle creatures without a shadow of doubt. My parents still have them and I have a dear friend in Sud France who has 18 of them - she does breed for showing though!! Has many a champion amongst her collection too.

And as an update - could I really have seen the first swallow of the season yesterday near Orbec? I thought it might be a bit early (as well as freezing cold), however is it possible this was the pathfinder heading northwards as spring approaches?

When we put the room above the grange it took away a few of our little resident's nesting places, but using offcuts of wood and scraps of plank and batten we made small shelves and attached them to the old beams. Last year the hirondelles returned as usual and happily used their "new accomodation".

They're Cou Nou de Forez - alias Loire Baldy Chickens! I have some and they are delightful creatures, very friendly and amusing. No ours won't be eaten either!

I am bemused by driving here. Yesterday my son went out in his new car. Coming up to a junction in a very small village he saw a car with tiny tailer in a side road, just sitting there waiting for something - what he did not know that said car was waiting for him. The old bloke pulled straight out in front of him turning left as he was just about to pass the junction, the trailer sideswiped my son as the car went right across his path. Now luckily my son had his french mate with him because the old bloke was about to leave the scene until the lad shouted "Where are you going?" or words to that effect!. Anyway the damage was minimal so the idiot parted with some euros and thats that - but honestly!! And then yesterday in the supermarket carpark I saw no less that 3 other old men driving the wrong way in the one way system exits and another driving over a raised kerbside to get out of the terrible parking fiasco he got himself into! Myself and two other lady drivers just sat there watching incredulous at this unfolding in front of us.

You can also by a hand-sprayer thing at the supermarche called Insert Cleaner which removes all manner of gunk. Our neighbour uses it to clean engines!! My OH and son cut all our wood to fit the Godin, plus the kindling because it arrives in big logs direct from the farmer. Its not ideal for everyone but thats what OHs and sons are for! We have a giant stack of ready stuff in the barn plus a smaller stack (enough for a couple of days) in the porch. Its traditional more than anything else, a way of life and whilst not instant like the central heating, well we like it despite the muck it creates. And please remember that many houses ONLY have burners like this for the entire place.

The Romance Of An Open Fire soon dies a death after the umpteenth time of laundering all the curtains again, alongside removing the ash, sweeping the chimney etc.................... Its still nice though for all that.

It works with the doors shut but you don't get as much heat out as you do with the doors open. These doors are solid iron with two tiny vents in the bottom for air-flow which means they hold a lot of the heat inside the unit, hence why it chucks out more heat into the room with the doors opened. However we do close the doors at night when we go up to bed, the fire keeps going through til morning when if we are in time with a few bits of kindling we can get it going again. As another owner said, occasionally when the wind is in a certain direction it can be tempermental, but you get used to its funny little ways.

Merci!! I don't know WHY it would'nt appear on the posting but maybe its just me??? Thanks Bugsy

Looks like my photo has'nt come up - even if it was there on preview!! Ours is old and it has the iron doors that fold right back leaving the entire front open.

Heres ours, burning nicely on a cold winter's evening. Lovely!

We have a Godin Colonial - its like a big iron cupboard standing in the hearth and really does a good job considering the size of the room. Its been no trouble really, but you must ensure to use properly seasoned wood or you will rapidly fill the house with smoke like a peasouper because of course it is open-fronted!

And its snowing again, right now! Best get camera at the ready then!

Taken in the last snowfalls