LBV CharenteNW

My OH is a magnet for them, he got bitten at Christmas, got the little bug**r back though, squashing him against the bedroom wall, I told him that it was because he had the log burner going at about 1000 degrees +, and it was encouraging them to breed early. He didn't believe me, he got bit again in February as well. He says if it is warm and moist they will come out and hone in on him. We have put our nets up already, just as a precaution, we have been told it is something to do with your blood groups, I don't get bitten at all, but the OH they use him for target practice. Looking forward to the summer of antihistamin tablets, sprays, candles etc.    Wifey

Thank you both for your idea's, We won't be arriving until the 20th what chances of us getting a goose (the feathered variety)?

Jo, I had a good look around  and found Interchange on the web, I now transfer anything from £500-3,000 for a flat fee of £10. The company is only small but the staff are really good. However having read the replies, I am going to look into opening an Euro account.

Anyone got a good receipe for christmas, we are thinking of a goose, how big and how to cook one any idea's. There will be three of us oh and a small but greedy dog.      

Geordie Girl   Thanks for that, i will go to the thread, by the way how big was your goose and how did you cook it?

We will be coming over to France on 20th and would  like to have a traditional Christmas Dinner, we do not want turkey, it's sooooooo boring. We have heard that goose is the main thing  anyone got any suggestions for a full Christmas Dinner Minimum 3 courses. I don't want to have to join the scrum in  the UK supermarkets and take stuff over, if I can buy it  fresh over there.             

Well done Katie, I gave up 7 years ago on a New Years Eve when I was also the appointed driver for the night because I had to work early next day. It was a nightmare, no alcohol or fags.  The thing that did it for me was watching my mum, a smoker since she was about 11, now 67  she can hardly walk, has constant blue lips (not flattering) and like all addicts comes up with all sorts of excuses, especially for why she can't walk very far.  Sadly we have given up trying to get her to give up. After deciding to give  it all up the thing I found the worst was getting  onto  a crowded commuter train to have someone who was a smoker sit next to you the smell was awful, it made me more determined as I didn't want to smell like that anymore.   Forget the patches, lozengers, gum and fake fags, Sheer willpower  will do it every time.

Thanks for the suggestion,chamomile sounds nice and hard landscaping we have thought about, but as  we have a courtyard with pots already I thought it would be nice to sit in a green area.  Artificial grass has been suggested!

we have just arrived in dept 16. our garden is across the road, it isn't very big. It is long and narrow with a small stream at the bottom. 3/4 of the way down it  has an very large Chestnut tree which has some sort of ivy growing up it. The grass that is there is of a very poor quality and patchy at best. It is surrounded by small pine trees and laurel. We are not there  often enough at this time to keep it trimmed, however I have seen that some lawns can be replaced by a spreading "herb" does anyone have any ideas?  With the Chestnut Tree there is very little natural light Any ideas would be welcome.    

Has anyone got a van travelling from the UK to Dept 16 between the 3rd and 9th October 2007, which may go past Kent, We have a new bed in three boxes we would like to transfer to the French House.    

We are in the process of buying a house in Dept 16 near Aigre, it will be a holiday home to start with and one to retire to in 7 years. Can anyone assist with security checking and basic maintenance when we are in the UK.