Nickel

Here is "sticky" all I need now is that sticky bun!   [IMG]http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m460/Nickel_048/IMG_0023.jpg[/IMG]

Just clearing out some hedges and a stick insect landed on me - I wondered if these are rare or common in France - I haven't seen one here before, though we do see  the occasional  Praying Mantis.

I teach ( well not really teach)  but I have a group of 5 adults from the "village" who showed an interest in learning English - so we get together once a week for a couple of hours and although it is mainly conversation I do give them exercises to do plus of course send them off with homework! Now in the third year and it is great to see the progress they are making. I devise some " missing words" "crosswords " etc but have found these 2 sites quite useful plus of course the BBC languages.  http://iteslj.org/ http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-grammar-grammar-games-archive.htm There are plenty of DVDs too available just do a search on Google - there is a lot out there to help you .

Merci beaucoup et de même.  I am sorry if I have hijacked your thread - I had no intention of that.    

I was not forced to reply - I made an observation which seems to have unnerved you. I enquired as to why you wanted to know - you have said because you find it very interesting - I am happy for you but I do not feel it is for you to decide if I write on a topic or not, even if my response in this instance has displeased you. Though I like the Catherine Tate reference!! but now I shall have to change my name to Impeccable!!     

Why or why ........ do you want to know ? As a newcomer to the forum one soon picks up from the many threads that each and everyone of us has their own reason for coming to France from the rose tinted spectacle wearers you mention to those who are trying to sell up and move back  and  all shades in between . I am sure some will be more than happy to tell you their reasons  and others will not............................and there we are. Mind you Coops you are right about the weather!!!    

I have no idea how well you know France or if you have any idea of where you would like to live. If you already know the country well then I apologise but if not then I would not necessarily be too dismissive of the idea to go to UK first where you ( considering your skills) will probably easily find employment and once there it would be far easier to make frequent trips to France to see the country whilst continuing to learn the language even arranging placements in French hospitals? I think fruit picking long term might become a little tedious. Whatever you decide -good luck.  

Food Allergies - the perceived prevalence of food allergy is much greater ( up to 20% of parents think their children may have food allergy)  than the actual prevalence - approx 8% in children less than 3 years old, this prevalence diminishing to 1.5%-2% in adults Peanuts ( a legume like a pea ) and tree nuts (almond walnut etc) account for the majority of food related allergic events. Those most commonly associated with anaphylaxis such as the peanut are also those allergies least likely to resolve in later years. Only trace amounts of the protein need be ingested to produce an allergic response. The apparent increase in prevalence seems to parallel the increase in other allergic/atopic diseases in childhood,there is much speculation as to why but no definitive answer as yet. Because of the severe yet fortunately rare allergic response that may occur, avoidance of peanuts/nuts is the only form of "treatment" however, so many foods now contain  peanuts and/or  nut products  a certain vigilance is mandatory  for sufferers.      

[quote user="Russethouse"] Perhaps you need a different supplier or variety of tomato ? My courgettes have lots of flowers but most of them are on ordinary stems rather than courgettes, I think its to do with male/female - no idea what to do about it though ? [/quote]   I think the male flowers often appear first followed by the female ones - don't forget you can also eat the flowers - deep fried -yum!!    

This is probably the best site for information and links on Lyme Disease. http://www.wadhurst.demon.co.uk/lyme/index.htm  

Piroplasmosis is caused by a protozoan - a malaria like illness - it is also known as Babesiosis in man and I think dogs It is not the same as Lyme disease (or Borreliosis)  which is caused by a bacterium - Borrelia However both can be transmitted by the same host - a tick. I have to agree to be careful as I found a nice little tick just beginning to attach itself to my skin just a few weeks ago!!  

Just ducked in out of the rain (again) and read this thread - suddenly the sun is shining - thanks Christine.

I suddenly feel a bit queasy - not sure if it's due to the thought of the aspic or the ......... aspic!!

 Sweet 17 , but that could be a new one for you to add to your menu - "aspic in aspic"   yum yum !!      

Vipère aspic. http://planetepassion.com/SPECIES%20FACT%20SHEETS/SNAKES/Vipère_aspic_Vipera_aspis.htm

You are doing the right thing in making a list to take to your oncologist - people often forget to ask the things that really concern them until after they have left the hospital. The grading and staging of cancers is now quite universal ( though always evolving). I am sure you will receive adequate "anti-sickness" medication, again make sure this is something you ask about. Best wishes    

Frenchie - How do you stand with lizards ? or maybe you don't stand, just run??

A few weeks ago a neighbours dog was bitten by a vipère and unfortunately died, it was a very small doggie and had apparently been bitten on the face. Villagers assure us the last such incident was over 25 years ago so given the number of dogs and the number of vipères I guess it is an extremely rare occurence - sad nonetheless. Hope that hasn't put you off your morning stroll !! 

Saw them in 76 (I think) when they did Trick of the Tail and have to say it was a spectacular show, wasn't so keen on their later stuff, nor  Phil Collins' self indulgent phase though did see some of the Rome concert on TV a week or so ago and you have to hand it to Phil he is still a great performer as indeed are the rest of the band. So may well buy the dvds - thanks for info!  

Dear Rikitikitavi,  Are you awaiting surgery? or have already had surgery - I ask because there are so many variables e.g  your age - pre/post menopausal, stage and grade of tumour - lymph node involvement, Er positive/negative etc; Once these are known by your oncologist I would assume they have/will formulate a treatment plan which may then involve radiotherapy or chemotherapy or both. These treatments would then start a few weeks after surgery; radio being an intensive course daily or every other day and chemo in cycles with time "off" between each. If such a plan is formulated in UK I am not sure how easily that would transfer to France - not least because of the time scale in finding an oncologist here and starting treatment and of course the treatments recommended  may not be the same. As for the cost -well as 5-element says if you are in the French health system then there would be no charge (ALD)  if you are not in the system - I am afraid I have no idea but I am sure a GP here can tell you . My concern is that with such a complicated issue you really need to be sure you are getting the best treatment available so please discuss it through with your doctors in UK - they will probably have colleagues in France to whom you could be referred if this is the way you decide to go. I wish you all the best.       

  Perhaps the original questioner wants diaries in English rather than French, with English public holidays and the like? Will, Brilliant!!

Mel , that is great for you and yes enjoy it all as you should - I was only echoing the thoughts that that sort of "buzz" will diminish  I am not saying that is a bad thing - but mundanity and familiarity will of necessity change one's perspective. I just don't think one needs rose coloured specs to see clearly. 

I tend to agree with sprogster that the excitement will fade with familiarity and irritation. Yes enjoy those things whilst you can but  once you can communicate in French that itself will lose its (dare I say ) je ne sais quoi. And it doesn't matter what coloured specs you wear you will soon get bored of rooting around leClerc. Oh now I sound like one of Gluesticks "moaners" but of course it is a great country to live in - warts an' all. Some "dreams " just need an edge of reality, some specs need clear glass.   

You are in the system though Coops - like the majority of us, so it is easy for them (tax officials) to spend time, effort and money investigating tax returns - and that is fair enough. My original posting concerned those people who are not in the system for whatever reason and there doesn't appear to be any check. Of the few I know they all pay their tax d'habitation /foncière have cartes vitales etc; so they "exist"  but just never fill in tax returns.  

Excellent - glad to hear you are both back home safe and sound - it's so nice to hear some good news for a change  all the best for a speedy recovery