jon

three weeks ago....stanstead then at Shannon.On the way back from Shannon there was a member of staff from Ryanair patroling the boarding queue and  making absolutely sure that all handbags were inside that one piece of luguage.One person had a something extra which she was holding and was told very sharpley that the extra piece had to go in the case or she would not be able to get on the flight.The woman said that the item would not fit...and the ryanair employee raised her tone.I do not know what the outcome was. They are begining to paint an unattractive picture.I can undestand that they need to make money but their rules are no longer conjuisive to a pleasant flying exsperience.

you are not allowed carrier bags!I believe.

Oh well...going off the tracks as we were/are.....friendship...not important to some.Vital for others. Not discusssing problems with anyone!Not sure about that! That really is the major season why people go back to their country of origin...missing people who are close to them.I have researched this topic

On the subject of friendship.Telling your friends all about your problems!Yes, of course I have been here one year and a half and these people whom I know are not really true friends yet....of course not.Did I tell you that they were.I said, perhaps that I meet lots of people because I enjoy meeting new people.However my "old friends" in UK have so many problems of their own that it is not fitting for me to offer my problems. So we have established that Americans make true friends!Hmmm The French do not make good friends. The British make good friends ....perhaps My friend...one of my best friends is French....and lives just an hour and a bit from me.She says that the British have a special type of frendship to offer and she is more British than I .....and all her nice neighbours who cook for her and buy her gifts and pet sit are little more than aquaintances.Her friends in England.....most of whom have never ...in 5 years been to visit her here are the greatest ever.Even when she goes to UK they are not free to meet her during a 5 week vacation. Contrary....!!!!?????

No...Stan.You have the comfort of dear old Essex to return to....and the joy of a new home to get to know. I think that often people ndo not try to make friends and new interests.They see a barrier perhaps.Since I came here no end of people have been spinning stories filled with negativity.But we are constantly making new friends/aquintances and learning about the people who live around us.They are not all French.....[although many are] We are constantly finding new interests....looking at new ideas ...ways of working.We were like that in Uk so it will not change for us.Everyone makes different financial provisions.....and all I say is...as I said before it is not adviseable to leave your country of residence without funds/plans.. Are Americans really more friendly!!!!!!Or do they appear to be?How many American friends have you got?  

What draws you to US Crustv?So different to France!How many times have you visited America?Are you in need of adventure....perhaps?Wherever you live...you need to create your own adventure...sometimes with the help of others.

Carmelle why do you Hate France? I think, perhaps that you are not contented with your work,career or maybe you need to find new friendship and interests? Maybe change your region...get involved in a project.,..if you are young ....you can do so much...if you put your mind to it....Where are you living?

This is a little difficult...I nhave purchased a ticket for a person who has no computor/and is not happy to use one...so was not advised of the new system when I purchased the ticket 2 weeks ago!So,I guesse that I will have to do it for her and post it off recorded delivery to make sure she gets it...otherwise she has to pay an extra 40pounds!They are of course really stingent with their rules of one piece of luguage....we are NOT allowed to carry our handbags seperately. Therefor causing delays fopr take-off as everyone is opening their cases to retreve their handbags.Then of course there is less luguage space in the over head lockers.Some of the rules are understandable....but not all.

Baybound....It was, infact a question!But if you have a home in UK...your French property is a holiday home?Nothing wrong with that!However you have not left Uk !So the outlook and the circumstances will be a little different.I had property here for many years before we left Uk.Everything we do know is related to the French system and the French way of life.So my thoughts and planning are here in France.If I am to offer advise info to anyone who is concidering moving here I am aware of the full conviction and the fact that I am no longer part of the Uk regime. Where do I live Entre-duex-mers....Gironde...1 hr from Bordeaux..35 mins from Bergerac.20 km from St Emilion.I do agree with posting which mentions a persons's character and circumstances.Exactly,of course!I had been planning my move for a long,long time!I was  looking for ther right moment...in some ways I found it!Eventually found the property,the architecht and  ways to seek clients.Not the best time to start a buisness but it is all going rather well.

I have a few words to say to John...re    T V programme....you know most of them are set-ups....the terrible story of the drunken ski-operator who had a pregnant wife....who broke her leg have been doing very well apparently. We declared that we were not prepared to offer disaster on a plate. Negative publicity is not my cup of tea...as it happens I am not a tea drinker ..... I would love to know if any of you live here in France? I imagine that most of you have two homes?  

  I wonder Cat if you are implying that I do not speak French? I have to say that you do not, necessarily need to speak to people in order to understand apsects about them and their life style!.Observation! However I do talk to them.My neigbours are French and we spend time together over a meal or just coffee. I love cats....by the way...there langauge is universal....but not one of them similar to the next.The original topic was not about learning French.....which of course is very important. The original topic relates to a couple.....should they venture to France to live? Yes my region is special. Just finished making elerflower cordial and crystalised rose petals.Next some apricot and orange flower jam.Could not do all this in London....all the flowers were sprayed or scented with petrol.    

Most of us start from nothing! Northing wrong with that..... J and I came from very humble beginings.Asperation and ambition are important ingredients in many lives.... Very much so through all my life....almost every moment of it.Materialism however is not an asset in the structure of living and I feel that it is as dangerous as a virus in its own way.So very difficult to describe unless you are in tune with the land and the people of my region.They work so hard and with great passion.In return for their efforts they fill their homes with good food and laughter and then watch the day begin at 6 am.Maybe they will be able to afford repairs to the roof ....but they do not need to spend their last piece of money buying clothes just to make an impression on someone else.

A circus artistes on the trapize practices his skills ..pretty amazing....not everyone can dance on ropes and waver the great fear of heights!However ever circus ring has a safety net. I will certainly say giving up a great job in UK to presume that you will find work in another country[wether or not you know the language or not]is pure fantasy.If you have a property and adequate funds.....plus a plan.....plus you choose the right area[and there are places in France  with a favourable progressive enviroment]....If  your   prospects in UK are not so hot than it would be good to concider a move. I moved at the right moment.As I have said before...for all the right reasons.My reasons.My reasons are also shared by many others who,perhaps have not made the same decisions and remain in the safety zone knowing that they will be receive"Free" medical help and a clear view of a society which operates purely....[or not] on materialistic qualities in life and lives in the shadow of its former qualities. I am not complasant .....This could be paradise.....but we are 2009 and sounds of war are everywhere.So I am contented that today my only real problem is that the birds have enjoyed all my ripe cherries.

A circus artistes on the trapize practices his skills ..pretty amazing....not everyone can dance on ropes and waver the great fear of heights!However ever circus ring has a safety net. I will certainly say giving up a great job in UK to presume that you will find work in another country[wether or not you know the language or not]is pure fantasy.If you have a property and adequate funds.....plus a plan.....plus you choose the right area[and there are places in France  with a favourable progressive enviroment]....If  your   prospects in UK are not so hot than it would be good to concider a move. I moved at the right moment.As I have said before...for all the right reasons.My reasons.My reasons are also shared by many others who,perhaps have not made the same decisions and remain in the safety zone knowing that they will be receive"Free" medical help and a clear view of a society which operates purely....[or not] on materialistic qualities in life and lives in the shadow of its former qualities. I am not complasant .....This could be paradise.....but we are 2009 and sounds of war are everywhere.So I am contented that today my only real problem is that the birds have enjoyed all my ripe cherries.

Russethouse....!!!! Who mentioned the word tired! You need lots of money to live in London....unlelss you want to live like a hermit......or work in an office of some kind...or in parliament where you can fiddle with taxpayers money! I said "disenchanted.....I meant it...was back there to visit friends....a few weeks ago....great for shopping...great for restaurants with brand names[which I am not so excited about]But life is not about shopping and restaurants,crowds and agressive traffic jams.Did visit my two fav restaurants...and enjoyed this. However...here I am doing many different things and meeting a different type of people.You see life for me is about people.What was changing in London[and not for the good] was people.I do not rely on others but enjoy learning and being with people who have character,integrity and other interests apart from making money. Hence...perhaps why I persue the forum....passing through the fields of negaivity from time to time.

Well I guesse that you must be right Pudding as you are living with your experiences. I will reminde you all, however that I feel the same way as did when I arrived in Nov 2007....disenchanted with what London had become....and possibly much of the rest of the country.For us coming here at that moment....and it was the right moment to become divorced from the uk property market  gave us a chance to buy a different life style within the industry  we knew so well.The rules and regulations are so very different and a little complex but we have gained from dealing with everything correctly and have support and interest from many local people.I have to say that I employed local artisans and purchase wine from neighbours and associates who work the land.Despite lots of negative suggestions relating to disaster and doom and gloom within the tourist industry .....I still say that hard work prevails;our clients are not only holidaymakers from many countries[incl France] but people who live and work within our region and seek a night or two in a our property and enjoying our cuisine. There is a lack of musicians in our area....I mean musicians who are in a band and want to earn a living with music[especially summer]So there is an opportunity.If you area a chef and speak French[important in a prof kitchen]there are opportunities in St Emilion.....that, however can be seasonal 8....months in a year....but time to pause.There IS room to set-up buisness here....but you have to have funds....as you would, indeed in UK. I am sure that very few people living in my region are really financially rich.......but everyone seems to eat well...keep warm in winter and seem fairly contented.But France is not really a destination for those who aspire to be lazy;in thoughts or motions.I never stop thinking about today and tomorrow. The proof of the pudding...is in the eating.

Dreaming is also important. Having something to look forward to. I came here less than two years ago and I remember my postings here on the forum.If you have funds to keep you going for a few years and you can buy a house[with a reasonable size garden...grow some of your own fruits and vegies]then why not.I know of lots of children who have settled here and learnt to be very happy speaking French and enjoying the schools.Life is fairly difficult everywhere.....but change can be exciting. Think about where you should be settling....not just for the price or weather factor...think about an area where there is tourism....even in these difficult times people do goon holidays[the French....Americans are coming back to our area...I believe]So a chambre d hote is probably a better idea than a gite.Also settle in a wine growing area.Lots of interesting things going on through summer....like fetes,vandage.My area is rather special.

Cherries,Apricots,plums and rhubarb taste great with duck....but in moderation.

I do agree with what you say. It is about taste....and what is wrong with custard! Nothing....especially when you are paying. Here we are on a forum...free speach...I hope...and, of course without any intention of upsetting each other!

Once you have sealed the duck properly it has...obviously began to cook.... I feel that after pink...or lets say very pink the juices have escaped and the meat tastes dry. Fortunately since we have been here no one has needed their duck well done. Every cook, every chef has their own ideas....however. Duck with its very distinct and intense flavour does not benefit by the addision of herbs...[too strong] Sweetness[in moderation..ie honey and port or maderia as a sauce is perfect.    

. It is the old fashioned method of cooking...no complaints about that. The juices from the duck only disperse from the breast when it rests....then you get the jus....which makes a sauce. I remember Marco P W in my kitchen delasing the pans...as we all did in those days [duck however is so so fatty] and he used to finnish off the sauce with a little butter...and say Monty old bear.....when what here ment was monte au beurre. I am sure that your brother in law is a good chef and that his reciepe is good.....but by now I think that I know what I like and how to match my flavours....did not get 3 AA rosettes for not being able to understand cooking!Where does your relative work?  

Cat...pardon me for saying that 10 mins absoluterly max! Deglazing the pan...the honey...perfect but you get a burnt sugar type effect and there is nothing to deglaze.....Duck breast is something I cook every week for guests.This time of the year with elderflower fritter...in a month or so with roasted peach.Rosemary/?A little mis-matched with duck...but I guesse it is personal.    

Just looked at the location and gardens of two lovely chateaux. Will be looking inside with the next week or so. VERY exciting to be able to help a couple and their family forfill their dream. There is a lady called Lucinda... who diirected me to these chateaux. Keep the music playing!  

Do any of you rent a chateaux for wedding receptions....in the area of Entre-duex-mers? It seems to be a fairly thriving buisness...at the moment.

It is very interesting that many of my bookings are from fellow Londoners. I wonder is there anyone who has a chateau in the entre-duex-mers area and wants to get in touch. There really is a an interest in people coming here to get married...another chateau in the area servicing weddings would be great. The fincial rewards seem to be subsatntial too.