Winegum

Oooops! Meant to thank you Pierre and thanked Cedrillion instead !! But thanks to him too.

Thanks Cendrillon, I was going to try using it but your comment about the lead has me a bit worried! However I also bought a six-cup aluminium pot in perfect condition, with the same bits inside. So I'll see if I can get that one to work instead. The little one is cute enough to just sit on the shelf. Many thanks

[IMG]http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab193/ACoPilotsView/DSCF9754e.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab193/ACoPilotsView/DSCF9757e.jpg[/IMG] This is what it looks like. It's only big enough for one cup.

Silly question time! I bought an old, single -cup cafetiere (percolater?)at a brocante today (about 1940's) but am having trouble deciding where to put the coffee. There are two baskets with holes in - one deep one with tiny holes in the bottom that fits in the main body of the pot. The other much shallower basket is only about half an inch deep, it has much bigger holes and fits into the top of the deep basket immediatly below the lid. There is no tube to carry water up to the top as are in some cafetieres. I've experimented with the coffee and tried both baskets but am still only making hot water! Any help appreciated.

We retired on my husband's minuscule RAF pension and relied on savings until my pension came through at age 60. We've taken nothing out of France, other than the enjoyment of living here. We spend our money here and pay our taxes. We're not rich but we are time millionaires. And we're never idle! More like idyllic!

I could imagine Daniel Craig as Reacher, I think he's got the right face! Tom Cruise - No way!

Thanks for all replies everyone. I travel back and forth on Ryanair about twice a year and am well aware of the rules with regard to hand-luggage. I just never figured duck pate to be a gel, a liquid, or a paste. It is after all in a sealed tin with a manufacturer's label. And besides, in order to blow up the aeroplane with my exploding pate I would surely need a tin-opener, which I don't carry because of the rules regarding 'sharp instruments'! The customs man at Stansted checked the contents of my bag one time and chuckled at my two large pork pies. No probs bringing those over here! And who knows what I could have lurking under that pastry. Oh well, you live and learn, and my friends won't be taking pate through again. Gardian - my friends were also elderly and on their first visit to to France. I think, like me, they could be forgiven for not considering a tin of pate to be one of the banned items.

Friends recently returning to the UK with two small tins of duck pate in their hand luggage had it confiscated. It wasn't a weight issue. They didn't argue as they didn't speak a lot of French. Has anyone else had this happen?

Just absolutely LOVED this!! Now I want my bike back - to heck with this camper-van lark. Winegum x

I had exactly the same circumstances as Simon, and followed the same method. It all works fine. I can buy and download from Amazon U.K. I am absolutely thrilled with it too. I pretty much had to have a Kindle because I've just published my novel on it! Wanted to see how it all looks and I'm very pleased. Never thought I'd like reading anything other than books but I've honestly had to do a complete U-turn on that thought.

You jest! I couldn't keep up with an athletic hedgehog, let alone a greyhound! Lovely greyhound in the last round of the hounds at Crufts this week. But the Faro (spelling??) hound won in the end. And a fantastic little Scottie won the terrier class. He looked so proud and full of himself!

Thanks Mimi - I'll check it out. Love your doggie in your avatar! We have friends who have a lurcher. She's SO gentle. Not sure what breed yours is, but she has the same look about her (him?).

Mimi - Thank you! I have just checked out the dazer website. This gadget looks perfect. It apparently repels aggressive dogs but doesn't hurt them. A superb suggestion. It's something I could use while running, and it would be great because I wouldn't have to stop and spoil my target running time. I've no wish to hurt any animal, but just find being chased very nerve racking. Many years ago I was once bitten in the back of the leg by a collie - who I didn't even realise had come up behind me. In his case I know it's bred into them to nip at the heels of sheep - but I guess he didn't have his glasses on that day! As a general comment I feel quite sad that this thread has dissolved into an 'us and them' issue, ie 'runners v dog owners'. I wanted some advice for a specific situation. I wasn't criticising all dogs or their owners. Dogs are wonderful companions and do amazing things - you only have to see some of them on Crufts this week - which I love watching. However, it would appear some people have taken my request for advice on this specific issue as a personal attack on all dogs and dog-lovers, which it was never meant to be. Whether we are runners, cyclists, or walkers with dogs, we all have a right to use the public highway, and we should do so in a safe and courteous manner, with care, consideration, and respect for all other users.

Polly said: Why does the winter being cold & wet stop you running? I walk every day whatever the weather, and I haven't put on any weight for years! And you still haven't told me why runners look so mis. Ah Polly, you must be one of the lucky ones! Unlike me you obviously possess great self-discipline and an excellent metabolism. I'm a wimp, and dislike thrashing my lungs running in icy wind - because it makes me wheeze. In winter I slide into eating things like home-made steak and kidney pie, and steamed treacle pudding and custard; and then I watch the rain belting across the valley and enjoy writing my book - which inevitably means growing a spare tyre. A simple case of energy in and not a lot of energy out! It takes all sorts. Like Sue I'm retired and only do what I want to do, when I want to do it. I've never noticed runners looking miserable! Concentrated maybe, even determined or possibly in pain - but not miserable. Possibly if you watch sport you'll notice that most athletes or competitors tend to have serious, concentrated expressions. They're usually pitting themselves against something and rising to a challenge. Some of us need that sort of a challenge - even if it's just getting a better time when running a distance. If you seriously want to know the answers to your questions try running 10K - when it's below freezing!

Polly said: 'Why run anyway?' Well I started about 20 years ago, just to keep fit and lose weight. Then it became addictive. If I don't go I end up feeling like a slug, and get quite irritable. Running brings in new and invigorating energy for me and makes me feel fantastic. I agree you don't see the countryside in detail - although yesterday when I struggled slowly up a hill I did see a wonderful long-tailed fieldmouse. But I have other hobbies - like photography where I study all the flora and fauna in detail. I also run because at 62 I want to continue keeping fit so I can enjoy life to a ripe old age. I tend to believe: 'If you don't use it you lose it!' Sue said: 'I have acquired 3.5 extra kilos that have appeared over the winter'. I know just how you feel. The winter was so long and wet and cold that I didn't run at all. I was glued to my computer trying to finish a novel, and grew a great spare tyre! Hate it! But at least I finished the book and am just editing the last chapter - Hooray! Carrying dog treats - Hmm! Yesterday I'd have had to have fed six dogs! Not too sure if hefting a couple of bickies over my shoulder would have dissuaded the big dogs from coming after me. Currently I've taken some advice from a dog-lover friend who advocates: no touch, no talk, no eye contact. And stop running because they think you're 'prey'. (praying more like!). I mean do I look like a flaming rabbit? I suppose it's similar to walking through a field of cows - if you run they run after you, but cows do it because they're nosy. Maybe if I run the same route enough they'll all get bored with me!