Gardengirl

Sorry, don't know them, but 4X were very good for us recently; v. good rate of exchange. Also, it was being paid to the Tresororie account for our Notaire, and didn't appear in their accounr when it should have done; people from 4X then tracked it for us, to prove it should be there. We were due to go to sign final contract, and weren't keen to set off without knowing for sure!  Jo

I saw many diseased-looking horse chestnut trees a couple of months ago when out on a ramble along the Thames, beyond Hurley. They were spread over a large area. I remember hearing something last year on Radio 4 about the problems of organisers obtaining sufficient conkers for the annual conker competition - wonder if that was due to the same cause. Jo

Lots of sense in the above postings. Just a thought on acces to cheaper items such as laguage courses; in UK there are internet 'freecycle' groups around. They are set up to try to keep things out of landfill sites. There will be one near you, I'm sure, if you live in UK, or one near a good friend or relative. As well as being an excellent 'green' idea, so many good people respnd to requests with what you are wanting - most times! The protocol is that you join (free), and then you are meant to offer something you no longer want/need first. We have passed on lots of stuff to new owners, and have also had a few of our 'wants' given to us. Great system! Google for 'freecycle', then look up nearest group. My only comment on courses is that Michel thingy was recommended to me by my boss a few years ago. Personally, I spent years at evening classes (now very expensive in our area), lots of time in France - weeks and months at a time, and it just grew! Lots of luck with finding a course, Jo

Sorry to hear about your tomatoes. I had it the last 2 years, but no problem this year, despite all the wet weather. Mine are all outdoor varieties, and are doing well, but a bit slow ripening. Choosing a different spot next year, maybe not in the route of the prevailing wind could help. Also, I suppose you get rid of the blighted crop totally - not on the compost heap. Better luck next year, Jo

Recently got back from a holiday in France, during which we signed the final contract, and paid all the money that had built up while waiting for the problem with the swimming pool to be resolved. So roll on next March, when we'll move in for up to half the year - mainly winter, with some springtime and autumn - summer will be too hot for us, and I can be busy in my Berkshire garden.  (For new readers, we are buying a new-build apartment,due to be handed over next March, and discovered on receiving the final contract in May that the pool was to be moved. As it would have been directly in front of our apartment, we refused to go to sign on the original agreed date, and waited with some trepidation for the decision to be made - all those who had already signed had to agree, and the wait went on for several weeks! Eventually they had to keep the pool in the original place.)  It's all very exciting - so thought I'd like to share it with you. We are really grateful for the help and support we've had - and expect there'll be more needed as moving date approaches. We also signed our community marriage contract, and opened our French bank account while there. That was far more long-winded than we had ever imagined, with an impressive array of forms to be signed. It was a little Clouseau-esque, and continues so, with frequent letters and emails from our English-speaking contact at the bank. 13 letters and packets to date in 2 weeks, and loads of emails.    Best wishes, Jo  

Re: bleach I remember in about 1952 our neighbours had put bleach in to an old lemonade bottle. Their youngest drank it. Terrible! All inside his mouth and throat were badly burned as were his chin and neck, poor soul! I can't remember what bleach came in then, but rather thought it was plastic bottles. We had the regular rag & bone man collecting around our estate; that part really took me back! In our part of Berkshire the local council (Wokingham) has collected paper/card and tins/plastic for many years. We have to take glass to a nearby supermarket, and old carrier bags to another. We have several compost heaps in the garden, so don't really have much in the rubbish bin. However, we feel lucky to still have weekly collections of general rubbish, unlike so many places; several Reading Labour councillors lost their seats in the recent local elections partly because of the problem of fortnightly rubbish collections. This is so unsuitable for areas where there are rows of terraced houses; they have their huge rubbish bins and huge recycling bins out in the street (can't get them through the house to the back garden), so whole streets look very messy. Jo 

Just to let those who offered advice (and anyone else who's interested!), we held out against signing the contract for our apartment. We heard on Thursday that the pool will not now be moved. All 22 of the people who had already signed had to agree to the move. Apparently only 7 responded to the deveopers letter; 6 were for & 1 against. So we are very pleased, and have given the go-ahead for the signing at the notaire's office next month. Apparently the developers had not realised that having the pool towards the side of the development would mean it will be in shade most of the time! We chose to have a south-facing apartment because we will be there mostly in the winter (too hot for us in the far south in high summer); apparently a big building firm had no-one who could give them basic info on where to put their pool! Jo

Thanks a lot for your replies. I found your info very useful. Jo

It might be too late for your meal, but a few recommendations: La Brochetterie, Rue Henri 1V, near the chateau; duck breast & other meats grilled over the fire; lots of locals. Weekday lunch menu from E11.50 to E19.50. A la carte has wild boar etc. Le Majestic, Place Royale. Menus from E18 for lunch to E34. Foie Gras with pears, pigeon with ceps. Au Fin Gourmet, Av Gaston Lacoste, nr station. Quality cooking, popular with locals; menus from E19 weekday lunchtimes, then from E27 to E56. R. La Table d'Hote, Rue Hedas, in the old part.a good welcome, lovely stained-glass windows and beams. weekday menu E20, then E26. ALC from c. E30; foie gras with onion jam, Gascon black pork with fruit, Duck pie. Jo

We walk a lot in the countryside in England/Scotland/French Alps. when we move to France we would like to join a walking group, as the whole area will be fairly new to us. Does anyone know if there are rambling clubs we could join? Thanks, Jo

I bought some garlic granules today, so can't wait till tomorrow to see how they have worked! I use gravel and bran as my main lines of defence these days, with the addition of wood frames with copper tape stuck round them, plus vaseline spread on the top for the lettuces, but have tried beer traps, crushed egg shells, slug powdery stuff and loads more. I can kill 50-70 early morning and late evening - I go round with a pot of salt and sprinkle it on them these days! My broad beans are the worst hit - practically nothing left1 Lettuces aren't too bad - but they are the best protected salads in the country, I should think. Really hoping for good things from garlic granules! Many thanks, Jo    

La Pleiade, 32 rue Jean-Quehen (03 21 34 03 70), a little street to the west of Place d'Armes. Closed Sundays & Mondays. quality food; E22 upwards. Histoire Ancienne, 20 rue Royale (03 21 34 11 20). Closed Sunday, Monday evening. Bistro; 2 courses in week E11 for lunch & up to 8pm. Menus £17.50 - 30. Jo

Yes, I understand I can't get a flight refund, but government taxes are refundable, minus an admin charge - so hoping for that! Jo

I'm trying to get a refund of taxes for an unused flight with Ryanair. Can't find a number or address, just a reservations number; can anyone help on this? Anyone managed to get a refund from them? Jo

Gardian - you mentioned rain and then 'the next thunderstorm' - do you get a lot of them where you are? - wherever that is?! Jo