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tegwini

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Everything posted by tegwini

  1. I was curious to investigate world league table for univeristies & discovered that the THES (Times Higher Education Supplement) one on the BBC sitehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4379738.stm,  lists the top 20 universities 1 (1) Harvard University, US 2 (3) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US 3 (6) Cambridge University, UK 4 (5) Oxford University, UK 5 (7) Stanford University, US 6 (2) University of California, Berkeley, US 7 (8) Yale University, US 8 (4) California Institute of Technology, US 9 (9) Princeton University, US 10 (27) Ecole Polytechnique, France 11= (52) Duke University, US 11= (11) London School of Economics, UK 13 (14) Imperial College London, UK 14 (23) Cornell University, US 15 (17) Beijing University, China 16 (12) Tokyo University, Japan 17= (20) University of California, San Francisco, US 17= (13) University of Chicago, US 19 (22) Melbourne University, Australia 20 (19) Columbia University, US Drop out rate is probably high in many of these universities,  I often wonder how many of the new crop going to 'uni' in the UK pass university exams as many are very average, and often well below average these days.  Having taught teenagers for decades & seeing the declining standards & increasing passes with A & A* marks I am constantly amazed!    Perhaps the French are less tolerant of medicre university  students which might explain the high drop-out rate.   The UK universities, many of which should be called FE/Technical colleges,  but want the status of being a university, & yet admit students with poor grades. Many offer 'degrees' in various trades & crafts or  even worthless topics,  & many graduating from such places have no employment prospects & have wasted money & years of their lives.  So many end up in 'Mcjobs'.   An apprenticeship or college course would make more sense. The French, at least , seem to be training engineers & scientists to deal with manufacturing,  transport & etc in the modern world - not much is manufactured in the UK these days,  & few serious engineering projects are undertaken in the UK compared with France.    I recently bought a new(bog standard) trailer here in the UK  (best quality/price) - sadly many of which sold in the UK are now made in France. In fact, serious reform is needed here, but it's unlikely to happen with a Labour government.
  2. tegwini

    hyacinths

    I read somewhere that more plants are killed by over-watering than under-watering, but hyacinths growing in winter, indoors, with central heating, fires etc do dry out, and need water. I've grown them successfully outdoors for a year or two, but they seemed to vanish eventually- eaten,  rotted ?    BUT, worth the hassle, gorgeous smell.   Blue bells are related to them & make a glorius show here, but I am starting to plant them in my little forest in France. Regards Tegwini
  3. Marton Merrythought -  based in  Ironbridge, Shropshire,   Deans in  S Wales, both well established teddy bear makers, making mohair & other types of bears both make GOLLIES, they are not illegal, & Steiff, Hermann,  (of Germany) &  lots of others gollies are exported around the world & imported by the UK.  Lots of  people collect them.   The Chinese also make a few resin cheap & cheerful ornaments & soft toy gollies too.  Robertsons may have stopped them- sadly, but the badges are now trading on ebay etc . Lots of collectors & demand for this traditional toy & available in lots of shops- just google it.
  4. The DVDs/Videos 'The world at war' narrated by Laurence Olivier covers Oradour dur Glanes.  They last for about an hour each DVD & were recently available in one of the national newspapers We also visited it & also noted the silence, and yes, no birds around when we were there,   As a history teacher I do find 20th century history at times sad, almost depressing.    But, 'man's inhumanity towards man'    is   not new, it's been happening since time began. The Oradour massacre is especially poignant hearing about the woman trying & failing to get her baby out of the window above the high altar as the baby cried & the soldiers heard it. Tegwini     
  5. Many thanks for responses- and Ouistreham was open & took an English card & quite a few others  open too. We're back now, & fuel in Hants/Wilts for diesel is now even more   £1,07 +    !!!   more than 20p per litre more than the French price. Believe it or not...
  6. Many thanks for replies-  it's all very confusing - EHIC telephone line costs, and rambles on with taped irrelevant stuff - needed a real person there, but it's only a computer. Trouble is the French are  not remotely fussed about this sort of thing & apparently a visitor can access French health care with minimal cost & the family prefers to do it this way & keep the difference for trips, cinema etc for the au pair.  Not that much choice, and it seems this is quite the norm.  Au pairs earn pocket money, but I believe the social costs would double this & fewer would be employed.   The ex-pat community I know worry about the legalities, as clearly it would a disaster should someone report them for working on the 'black', and I hear there is a tradition for that,  quite apart from some envy by some of the French for some ex-pats. We will cross fingers &,  Paris is not that far ... regards tegwini
  7. Does anyone know if a 17 year old taking a temporary job (as an au pair) needs more than the EHIC -  I realise that extra insurance might be helpful, but could the EHIC be sufficient for a short stay of less than 6 months?  (and the 17 year old will only be 18 after this time). Many thanks Tegwini
  8. Thanks all yes arriving at 10.30 - embarking at 11 pm ?    a quarter tank won't get us to the Vienne, especially as trailer on tow, & husband gets agitated when tank is low & it is 1 or 2 am thanks again tegwini
  9. Many thanks all - we won't be taking any chances &  trying to run on fumes!  Since it's late & winter we will have some diesel- but we have a card.  This week- end even in Southampton we saw diesel at 1.06 and even 1.08 and hear of smaller garages charging more.  It's gone up since 13th  - unfortunately. Thanks again for the help - shall be taking down the details. Regards Tegwini
  10. It has never been an issue before,   but as we are arriving at CAEN   at 10.30  pm  (on the road after 11pm?)  and wonder if petrol stations are open at that time, and if there is a convenient one coming from the ferry?   We don't know Caen at all,   this is our first visit for years on Brittany Ferries,   usually on LD/ Le Havre,  and reluctant to fill up in Portsmouth @ £1.06 per litre!  Name & adress of any much appreciated. Many thanks Regards Tegwini
  11. Many thanks to all for the responses, regards Tegwini
  12. my note Bugbear was in Sport & Enternment 27th Nov not western France
  13. This is the note I posted a day or ago on western france Hello Bugbear Sorry, but nothing received - & also in original post, have been waiting for it (like Christmas) was it a pm ?  - also did not arrive & all ok with email, could you pse try again.  TXS
  14. Hi Bugbear  & Cendrillon Is OP me ?- not sure I get this www. speak!  Was  NOT a matter of not 'being bothered' - for starters I didn't notice your here - and have only just discovered you can click on these I do get out, & have a life too,  hence not 'au fait' with  all this stuff!!!    And, it does show Vienna - nice place, stayed there, but a  long way from Poitiers. No point in such comments,  and  I did reply, moved this request to get some suggestions, rather not have any responses such as this! Tegwini  
  15. Many txs Ulster Once he's done his jobs,  & golf will be a magnificent incentive, could take you up on this - not joined anywhere as yet, but sounds like the weather is unlikely to suit; he also is a fair weather golfer.    Could be Mignaloux if that suits - I could pm you perhaps with Fr. tel no ? Sadly it sounds as if there's not much else to do- not much for me anyway. Did you see the Welsh/Springbok rugby- at least some running rugby for a change. Not a top side (sadly minus my hero Percy!) Regards Tegwini 
  16. Hello Bugbear Sorry, but nothing received - & also in original post, have been waiting for it (like Christmas) was it a pm ?  - also did not arrive & all ok with email, could you pse try again.  TXS Hi Ulster  - did not know you were a golfer - if interested, OH originally an obsessive player (3 handicap in Northern Natal on a difficult course, but decades ago),  if you fancy a very laid back game over Christmas, we like the look of Haut Poitou Golf, a bit far maybe? -but he has to finish his ceiling wallpaper clearing! Regards Tegwini    
  17. Anyone any suggestions of something to do over Christmas? Arriving 21st Dec - 30th (have to see plombier/tiler & also we must strip wallpaper from some ceilings & husband has to take leave then),  so really need some ideas -   music, art, Christmas markets, Christmas service (in English?)    Any ideas welcome - via car, & considering taking train to Paris- ideas there? Many thanks Tegwini   ps moved this hoping to get more response- note to mods.
  18. We will be in France over Christmas - have to- to pay M. le Plombier etc & arrange next job, and will be stripping wallpaper off a ceiling !   and OH has to take leave betw. Christmas & NY.   SO any suggestions for anything to do betw. 22- 30th December near Poitiers ? Could be Christmas markets, music, carol singing, art,  & planning to use TGV to go the Paris - any ideas there? Willing to travel by car in the Vienne  & perhaps by train if futher Regards & thanks Tegwini  
  19. PS   Husband says Tony F is right-  UK tax authorities have the power to freeze UK bank a/cs - they have more power than we realise- lots of our civil liberties taken away since 1997. Tegwini
  20. Recently attempted to get an income tax overpayment repaid.  Husband (who is a Chartered Accountant) had a right squabble with our tax office (Bristol) only to be told   'big delay'   & 'mail accumulating & they were at least 3 weeks behind in opening the post'.   They blamed being short-staffed,  we wondered just how chaotic things are there- and,  they refused to allow him to submit the claim on line ... I rather think that the left hand doesn't know what the right is doing! - or is this Gordon & co hanging onto our money? Regards Tegwini  
  21. Perhaps they are - have avoided them for about 2 yrs. Today booked for beg. of school Hols,  ret. 30th Dec- with BF  car + trailer+3  = £284  (Portsmouth-Caen) The price for LD same date etc £315.    Wouldn't it be nice if BF now competed with LD?   BF more choices & daytime ferries to France... Tegwini
  22. We have used French artisans for:    plumbing,  fitting a new kitchen,  tiling floors/walls,  plugs & wiring, even sealing & tiling a very large terrace, repairing the boiler & lots more to come.   I have NEVER been asked for a deposit & some of the work needed supplies having to be brought in by the artisan. I have met ONE UK artisan for a quote - he wanted 30% deposit for labour ONLY,  & big delay!   I can only assume his work came only from ex-pats accepting this dubious practice - I can't imagine many of the French would. Tegwini
  23. Bonsoir Pads Have you seen this? www.bitesizedlanguages.com it's free, daily & click on it & you have sound too. amicalement Tegwini  
  24. Many thanks all Cheque ready to go- minus TV part,   with letter - fingers crossed too. Regards Tegwini    
  25. Thanks Nick Will try some of those- have found a French bloke working in London(for a large UK co) who might get back to me plus someone who could come to France  for £2900 !!!! (+ VAT - should there be VAT then??)  and another one I am waiting to hear from-    if you are in France have you looked in the  Pages Jaunes?    I did find someone who did come out from near Poitiers, but I can't get a price out of them!  And they are a specialist cleaning company - and, their email also doesn't work. I will keep you posted if I get anywhere - would it make sense for someone who has to travel to combine these 2 jobs?  we are  NE of Poitiers are you far from here? Regards Tegwini
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