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tegwini

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Everything posted by tegwini

  1. Sorry Framboise- slipped up in this reply... We brought out an integrated dishwasher - in reality they are all the same ( doubt if it is made in the UK)  a good make- can't remember the name- it's in France, I am in the UK, but from Comet - nothing special about it - except. quite a bit cheaper- integrated not showing control panel.  Same make available from Darty etc - we did shop around, just cheaper in the UK  Wouldn't have bothered otherwise, as it was a right pain to have washer in back of car & oven on roof of estate car. Plombier presumably got in what was needed - no problems as far as I know, you can't see the pipes, as it's built in;  oven likewise, Neff- same available in Darty etc- lots cheaper in Comet- as it is a double oven, & not the norm in France. Hope you're sorted by now Framboise. Regards Tegwini
  2.  Rob G I couldn't have put it better myself!  I have also read that there are more French in the UK than UK citizens in France. People leaving the uk have various reasons for doing so - but all contribute to the French economy in one way or another-  in our case we bought, no mortgage, with UK money, a house that had been empty for over 3-4 years. We have spent  this year perhaps  30K euros so far & much more to do. (another 50k euros minimum). We have employed various French artisans & still more to employ.   We are spending our money in France. We also pay local taxes, spend on our utilities(empty house didn't do that!)   & shop locally.  I know some French people here in rural Wilts/Hants - one in the village pub (in the kitchen), and a would-be teacher from France (can't get a job in France) & is presently doing the PGCE with a full grant & fees paid by the UK tax payer.  Enough to live on & rent a studio annex in a posh part of Salisbury.  I have met other French would-be teachers working as French assistantes- not well paid, but they are not qualified as yet.   One got herself pregnant - doubtless FOC use of the NHS &  pregancy costs quite a bit.  They are in the UK to earn or make money-  is this making it harder for UK citizens to get jobs  ?     Not that many half-decent jobs around here anyway. Outside of London the number of unemployed UK citizens is larger than many realise, much  of it disguised by government ways of  keeping records & taking people off unemployment statistics via the benefit system.  No - we oldies give far more than we take! Regards Tegwini  
  3. We have a TERRAZZO floor in the sejour - about 40 odd sq metres - where it has been walked on it is dull & has no gloss- where there were carpets it is ok. It is  in good condition - some of the grout is a bit dark/dirty, but no broken tiles at all. They are about 30 cm sq. I am struggling to find a company to clean it, sand it down, seal it- near Poitiers, 86210- anyone out there who knows about Terrazo or a company that could do this job ? Many thanks Tegwini
  4. We did find insurance cheaper in France - even with a broker, BUT after the first year we asked for some contents cover & the price more than doubled.  They said 'maison secondaire - more risk'. We queried this with our bank CA - much cheaper - they said 'maison secondaire- not many big value items'.  Which is true.  Still cheaper in our case than the UK.  CA does have an Eng. speaking tel service- perhaps you can do it on the phone, but it does need to be done for 'handover' meeting (completion)Good luck Tegwini   
  5. Many thanks all - Toodlepips how long ago did you write to them & what dept are you in ?    - we're in the Vienne & I wonder if there's a  national policy to accept,  for example your claim that you have no TV.   I am sure it's a lot harder to attempt such here with the BBC. Shimble-not in France until next holiday - just after Christmas & the bill is due before that - presumably a letter would be acceptable? Regards Tegwini    
  6. Does anyone know if one is obliged to pay the TV charge - we only visit our Fr house as & when & NO tv ( but aerial on roof left by the seller) & doubtless it doesn't work- knowing what we have had to sort out so far!    No plans as yet for TV. What can I do - bill is higher than expected, especially with TV added. Regards & thanks Tegwini
  7. We had the little beasties under our house in South Africa in Sandton (north of Johannesburg) in the mid 1960s.  Then someone came out with some kind of pump & gas and they all died - thousands crept out from under the skirtings!   Very effective I think - probably more so than a fluid.  The nest went under the foundations, and for metres. We were lucky, solid house, concrete foundations, slate floors, BUT they were muching the skirtings which were paper thin,and you could actually hear them. In next house in Natal, on a slope we had a nest open up after a rainy afternoon, it was misty, & large raptors flying over was a bit frightening, dogs OK, what's it all about?  But,  they were seriously popular with dozens of birds, including hawks.  Scary really, as they troll around & then pair up to breed- yuk. Can France be worse than that?
  8. That's a brave remark!-  Pushkin   Not really- she lives thousands of miles away! Regards Tegwini
  9. Thanks Puskin, Lovely pictures, I especially liked the toothy one - reminds me of the husband's mother. Regards Tegwini
  10. Many thanks all - not sure why she got these words so confused - she barely speaks English,  perhaps glands is a clue??  That's not a big deal, but I just wanted to try to explain that she make my day - and not easy in rural Wiltshire, grey, wet, dark nearly every day - some sun today- yipeee! Regards Tegwini
  11. GOT TO REPLY TO NEIGHBOUR'S EMAIL - PLEASE PLEASE -CAN ANYONE HELP?? Anyone any idea how to say - 'you made my day'   which my neigbour did when she said she had been sweeping up the 'nipples'  (actually acorns which stain the grout) from the terrace - but I am still smiling about this! it did make my day!   imagine it! many thanks tegwini Perhaps I put this in the wrong place - no response so far, pse help!
  12. I always overwinter geraniums, trailing & other,  in my garage, in  a cold, damp Wiltshire village.    I shove as many as possible into pots with soil & water infrequently - sometimes I think I am a bit cruel to them in giving them so little water.  But geraniums are tough South African plants & cope with drought.    My garage faces south, but has draughty steel window frames, very cold.  I have so far not lost many, I don't bother to do cuttings, but they would give more plants & they are easy to propagate from cuttings. I did a lot of that in SA.   Not sure why, but the English variety seem a lot more fragile.  You get heavy frost in JHB in winter, & they cope with it there, never considered overwintering them there. I often put them out earlier than I should, but I feel that they by then are eager to be out & amazingly they flower earlier (some even flower inside) and lots of dosh saved. Good luck with them Tegwini
  13. Hello Futuroscope is open at Christmas- & so are the Hotels within walking distance - eg Holiday Inn etc.  We did it - was the coldest winter for years we were told (Christmas 2005),  but still enjoyable;  very nice buffet restaurant at Futuroscope also open & very reasonably priced.  posh chateaux hotels also open nearby, & serving Christmas meals too. Who knows it might be warmer this year? Tegwini
  14. Hi Anyone got any ideas for somewhere warm in France over Christmas- couple of days only, not so  too far from the Vienne. We have 10 days off, some wallpaper stripping to be done (groan...) and will deserve somewhere warm over Christmas.  Couple of days only, not too far, as already have to get to France & Vienne.  So far looking at Biarritz- anyone been there in winter? Many thanks Tegwini
  15. GOT TO REPLY TO NEIGHBOUR'S EMAIL - PLEASE PLEASE -CAN ANYONE HELP?? Anyone any idea how to say - 'you made my day'   which my neigbour did when sweeping the 'nipples'  (actually acorns which stain the grout) from the terrace - but I am still smiling about this! it did make my day!   imagine it! many thanks tegwini I think, therefore pehaps I am...
  16. Anyone any idea how to say - 'you made my day'   which my neigbour did when sweeping the 'nipples'  (actually acorns which stain the grout) from the terrace - but I am still smiling about this! it did make my day!   imagine it! many thanks tegwini
  17. Re-posted - more legible for the visually challenged, who also struggled to see & understand the game!!! A predictable result,   the best team won – not much running rugby, quite a lot of spoiling tactics, and it was penalties that  gave the Boks chances to score – some penalties from (dare I say it?) not so clean play.  Interesting also that Habana can’t be credited with tries either, as someone claimed that a sprinter got most of the previous points, and  yet still a comfortable win. Most of the points from Percy - my new hero, in fact the leading point scorer in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The total 2 game aggregate was  52-6 !!!  Excluding the 4 previous matches where England was also beaten. The Bookies know & yet some fools lost loads!  Moans all over, excuses, excuses, excuses about that  ‘try’ – well forward pass before, and referee was kind to the English to award a penalty.  AND the English team got 3 points anyway – why the moans ?   some rather bad losers, sad to say.  Even Phil Vicary said the best team won-  let's not bring into rugby football mentality.  The Bok dominated in ALL aspects of the game - scrums, ruck, lineouts, possession etc & etc.  Someone on this site moaned about the coach’s blazer-   Well, the Springbok  blazer looked OK to me – especially holding the trophy -  Jake White, the coach ( & NOT a Boer- with English ancestry) apparently has to apply for his job.    Something to do with affirmative action & the SA government demand that more Africans should be in the team – whether good enough or not. (If this policy was imposed in the UK it would mean some Asians in the team, also whether any good or not).  This will probably be the last winning team to come from SA. Still a great night in for us - and Paris was not destroyed as often happens after football matches where England plays. Regards to all rugby lovers Tegwini ps  Ulster Rugby - good post, lots of  good judgement there!!!
  18. A predictable result,   the best team won – not much running rugby, quite a lot of spoiling tactics, and it was penalties that  gave the Boks chances to score – some penalties from (dare I say it?) not so clean play.  Interesting also that Habana can’t be credited with tries either, as someone claimed that a sprinter got most of the previous points, and  yet still a comfortable win. Most of the points from Percy - my new hero, in fact the leading point scorer in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The total 2 game aggregate was  52-6 !!!  Excluding the 4 previous matches where England was also beaten.   Moans all over, excuses, excuses, excuses about that  ‘try’ – well forward pass before, and referee was kind to the English to award a penalty.  AND the English team got 3 points anyway – why the moans ?   some rather bad losers, sad to say.  Even Phil Vicary said the best team won-  let's not bring into rugby football mentality.   Someone on this site moaned about the coach’s blazer-   Well, the Springbok  blazer looked OK to me – especially holding the trophy -  Jake White, the coach ( & NOT a Boer- with English ancestry) apparently has to apply for his job.    Something to do with affirmative action & the SA government demand that more Africans should be in the team – whether good enough or not. (If this policy was imposed in the UK it would mean some Asians in the team, also whether any good or not).  This will probably be the last winning team to come from SA.   Still a great night in for us - and Paris was not destroyed as often happens after football matches where England plays. Regards to all rugby lovers Tegwini ps  Ulster Rugby - good post, lots of  good judgement there!!!    
  19. Gardian    Not sure why a green & gold blazer is 'ghastly' & what's wrong with the Springbok coach?   He's clearly doing his job well.  and, who knows he might end up coaching the English team- SA coaches have made big improvements in various sports in the UK! Dreamer - thanks for your kind words (opposite marital/national mix) where are you based ? pse pm me. And, I agree with you - let the best team win    but above all enjoy the game. ,
  20. Raindog The word 'arrogant' & worse, was used to describe the Boks - on this site.  You only have to trawl around the media, including the www. to note that many are convinced England will win.   SA rugby www sites are far more balanced. No, I am not being patronising- the British have long believed that 'British is best', fed by the media & government,  just stating a fact, but we know that's not true, otherwise why do people leave the country & live elsewhere?   In any case,  I don't think 'patronising' is the correct word to use - cynical maybe?   disillusioned?   or perhaps realistic. Having lived on more than one continent I am no longer nationalistic, and enjoy the rugby as most do because it's a game which is to be enjoyed.  Just remembering the joy on Habana's face after that long & successful run is enough for me.
  21. Raindog The Springboks have not in recent history been beaten once by the Pumas, so the Pumas were at a massive disadvantage to start with. The Boks may have made some mistakes, but the Pumas had no real defence - eg the 80 yard  clear run by Habana. The Puma's only try was questionable  I don't agree that there was no teamwork in the SA tries - in fact there was a lot of running rugby. The Pumas got so frustrated that one resorted to pulling Skinstad's  hair in the last moments of the game. England vs SA ,  well since 2003 they have won very few major games, and have really gone backwards. And the results against SA over the last 4 games have been dismal with high scores to the Boks. The word 'arrogant' was used to describe the Springboks, who are in fact quite modest and hardly boastful about their chances this Saturday, unlike many English supporters who seem to accept one-sided media reports written by chauvanistic UK reporters. Sadly, British - or rather, English is not always best.
  22. Hi All It's not yet 7pm Sat so game hasn't yet started- My SA journalist friend is predicting, apparently he predicted this weeks ago,  that it will be  SA vs France in the finals. Doubtless I will  be shot down here for this Enjoy it - whatever happens! Tegwini  
  23. Thank you for your kind words Ulster Rugby-  I shall be more than confused as to who to support this week end - split loyalties x3- good excuse to sit around & watch the tele, sadly not keen on beer,  However, lots more toned & muscled men in tight shorts to admire from  far away- very distant memories of a much younger hubby ...  Regards to all Tegwini 
  24. John-   It's  'Boer' not 'Boor' from the Afrikaans word farmer, and the Springbok team is mixed - some Coloured, some African & some  English speaking South Africans (white, many with origins in the UK eg Montgomery).  Afrikaaners or Boers- many can trace their origins back to their ancestors arriving in the Cape in 1652 and have Dutch, French, German & lots of other ancestors.  The language is similar to Dutch. English speaking South Africans eg Janet Suzman, Peter Hain, etc are not Boers. And I doubt if many are,  to quote you,  'bastards' -  of the generation playing  few would  have had parents who were not married,  (unlike the way things are in the UK), and  also I don't accept your other insult to the Springbo team that they are 'arrogant'.   Big & tough maybe, but that's rugby, it's a rough tough game, not for wimps,  they are determined & have worked hard to get into the Springbok team. For goodness sake, it's only a game!!  
  25. Bluebells - I can't get worked up over curry or beer (imagine the effects later!)  BUT, I do like to see the toned legs & bums- happy memories of something or other...
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