Ckeywood

Does anyone know of a scheme that helps with the installation costs of a new Fosse Septique? I heard a rumour a while back that it may be possible to claim over half the costs with a grant coming out this year or next. Thanks Sara

Hi Lyn, We have recently had to find another riding school as the one we attend in Moyon is closing. We have found an excelent school in St Gilles, just outside St.Lo. We are hoping to start in a couple of weeks time and like you, my friend and I are hoping to become horse owners sometime in the near future. Our children will be riding there as well but at different times. It's about 140 euros for 12 one hour lessons plus your registration of about 30 euros. The teacher speaks good english, although we prefer to be taught in French where possible to improve on our language skills. Hope this is of some use to you. Maybe we will see you there. Sara

Have managed to find quite a selection of riding schools in the area (well hidden) and have pretty much decided on the one for us. Thanks.

Help! We purchased some hens last year and they have been absolutely fine. We bought some additional hens not long ago and about two weeks later they started to get snuffly beaks. They seem well enough, feeding, drinking and generally scratching about but they don't seem to be able to shift the runny beaks. Will I be laughed out of town if I go to the vet about this? Should I just get someone to wring their necks? Thanks

Phillipe, if you are still having problems please mail to [email protected] My husband may be able to help you.

LAST EDITED ON 02-Aug-04 AT 10:26 AM (BST) Hi Poppyt, what operating system do you have?

We live near Hambye (50) and are currently riding at Moyon. They are closing the riding school part of their operations after the summer holidays and we need to find somewhere else to have lessons. They would need to cater for adults and children of various abilities and be reasonably priced. Any suggestions? Many thanks.

Thanks all for your replies. Looks as though it's time for the trip to the vet. Will let you know how much it costs here in Manche (50).

We have a puppy of 7 months old. Jack Russell (mum) Labrador (dad) cross. Don't ask me how they managed that one! Anyway, we would like to have our bunndle of joy "seen to" to prevent him getting over affectionate with the ladies. Anyone know the best age for this to be done. Many thanks Sara

Our girls seem to like Cuttle fish bones. Washed of course. We had to show them how to go about it by scraping the soft top a little and now they have no trouble.

We set out with the children at 6 in the morning and headed towards Arromanches. Just the other side of Cerisy La Foret we were stopped by Gendarmes and told the whole area was a no go area unless we had passes. He suggested we try Isigny. When we arrived at the roundabout just outside Isigny a Gendarme was talking to another motorist so an American soldier came over and asked what we wanted and we explained we wanted the children to experience the days events. He allowed us through to show our identification and get passes. Our friends behind us caught the Gendarme who basically told them Interdit! We went ahead and received our passes and contacted our friends on the mobile who came back round and spoke to the soldier and were directed our way. We were escorted in coaches to the American Cemetary and witnessed the ceremony...21 gun salute, laying of wreaths and speaches by Jaques Chirac and George Bush and the fly past by military aircraft. They then kept everyone including WW2 vets waiting in the mid-day sun while the two presidents took an unscheduled lunch break....for three hours. This was the only sore point of the day. It was a very moving experience and brought me to tears. We spent the rest of the day on Utah beach.

We bought ours in Bricolage in Avranches but we had a look in Weldom first. They had a nice selection but we wanted a certain style and Bricolage had it.

Our children now 8 and 6 attend a local private primaire. They love it. The quality of education is very good. Discipline is very good. They have made some very nice friends. The French children come and greet us when we arrive and are always keen to show off their English. The staff are fabulous and were very helpful when we were trying to settle the children. They study a good selection of subjects with priority given to the basics. So far we can't fault them. I don't think you or your daughter will be disappointed.

We brought 2 guinea pigs with us last year. Only needed health check and confirmation paperwork from the vet. Because they are not free roaming like cats and dogs they do not need rabies jabs. You need to declare you are transporting animals. P&O charged us 15 each to bring them over though.

Fantastic fun but very very hard work. My advice would be to have lessons and work around the ponies as well. Grooming, mucking out, feeding, whatever the weather. While doing this, do some homework. Find out as much as possible. Perhaps she could join a club? Stabling and grazing, feeding, shoes (every 6 weeks), vets bills, insurance(for equipment, pony and rider) and kit can be costly. Getting it wrong could be heartbreaking and expensive. If she is still keen after all this, then go for it. I had heaps of fun with mine but I had to prove to my mum that I could do it and my pocket money went towards it's upkeep. That was many years ago and now my daughter (8) is learning to ride. She would like a pony as well but I want to be sure of her commitment. I don't want to be left holding the baby as it were. Good luck.