Gardengirl

What a good idea to have his excellent poem engraved onto the replica cancer pill, and excellent publicity for the Institute of Cancer Research, which commissioned the poem.

Me too, the response is generally favourable - apart from if there’s a real dragon on duty.

Fitting the thread perfectly, Brel from Norman.

Fantastic viewing Galibier section!

Thank you for your post, wooly. I was sorry to read about Quillan’s death, he was very helpful to many. RIP Quillan.

I like sunflowers, poppies and, best of all, lavender.

Nomoss, thank you for your post about Quillan; sad that he’s been through a really bad time but heartening that he’s being cared for properly. I certainly wish him well.

Our place is in the Gard. We have normally left by now for the summer (haven’t been since March due to medical problems this year) but British neighbours have been sending copious emails about the horrendous heat there just now. They will be extremely pleased when Saturday arrives, as they will be returning to the UK then. The highest temperature reached would normally be in August, but ‘only’ reaching 40C during some years - we receive emails and photos of town thermometers from friends in years that 40C is reached. Stay cool anyone in 84 - Vaucluse 34 - Hérault 13 - Bouches-du-Rhône 30 - Gard

I no longer grow garlic, but usually planted it out in November. For use now, pull it up as you want/need it, but mostly I let the tops die off and lift them when totally dry. Some types don’t keep well, but I was mostly lucky, storing them in light, airy conditions but out of the sun. At the moment most of France and, I think, the UK, is having glorious weather, so the tops should die back nicely. But when there’s nasty, wet weather with claggy soil, it can be better to lift them and store as above, trying to keep the heads separate in case of rot. No problems with keeping vampires away from you then, wooly. ?

Other neighbours were also concerned about their neighbours, having heard the row: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/23/boris-johnson-more-neighbours-confirm-tear-up-with-partner-carrie-symonds

Many would want to shake his hand - maybe he should appeal for crowdfunding; I should think he would do well with that, more than cover his costs.

I was very sorry to read your bad news, which must have been a big shock, Norman. I hope that you will pursue it as far as is necessary. I also hope that your health problems stay stable. Your post is a useful alert for others so that they are forewarned of future unwelcome possibilities.

I watched the debate, found it riveting. My dislike of Dominic Raab was confirmed, so bombastic. Jeremy Hunt came across well. Sajid Javid seemed to lose his thread occasionally. Rory Stewart gave his usual sensible answers, apart from when he really stressed his frailty when each was asked about their weaknesses. Michael Gove was the big I-am on everything.

There have been restrictions in the Gard (30) for a few weeks already after another fairly dry winter. It doesn’t bode well for agriculture, particularly for the many vineyards in the area. Edit: Norman, some of us do click through, thanks for your live links, much appreciated.

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Just walking into town can take ages if we bump into people from a club we belong to and take part in various activities with 3 kisses each! Then there are the group walks - there are often 30+ Of us - that’s a large number of kisses, plus again at the end. A lot of them must think that ‘les anglais’ have a lot of colds as I often say I mustn’t kiss, just wave a hand at everyone. It’s fine with friends, of course, or people from the English class, many of whom I’ve known for 10 years or so, or even the pétanque group, but all and sundry is too much.

Yes, there has been a spam-type post, which has since been deleted.

A north-eastern accent definitely helps, Patf. I was on a course in Paris in 1967 and we were all told that as a fact by our main tutor, who had taught at the British Institute there for years, so had huge experience with English accents,

Our main home is in the UK, where we spend the majority of our time. The way people speak annoys me so much, especially those who know so much better, but constantly use the glottal stop etc. Grrrrrr!

Ras-le-bol is frequently used by friends and I use it just occasionally as I don’t have cause very often, but haven’t been told by anyone not to use it.

I now have my forum details safely in ‘Notes’ on my ipad, don’t want to go through the whole performance of trying to get back in again.

It’s good that you’re back, Judith. I got locked out for ages too and still occasionally find that there are hiccups.

Nrnan, that’s exactly the set up of the email from Mint to me. I replied to her email address already on my system. Great that all is well with her, apart from having to sort everything out following being hacked. Sue, that’s a good warning to anyone with orange, or maybe any other company if hacking seems to becoming a problem with them.

I do think that Mr Bercow should be there, as well as others in official positions - it’s the official visit of the President of the USA, not of ‘Stable Genius’ Trump, there’s a big difference.

I thought I’d read that all appointments had been cancelled until new card is introduced. Surely I didn’t dream that? .....................