Nickel

I dont know if this is of any help but went to Mauritius in February with Air Austral which goes from Toulouse with a change of plane in Reunion. You can then of course book the dates to suit yourselves. Certainly easier than going to Paris.

Asking at the poissonerie if they have any "mackerel"

Clair, Sorry didn't see your post, with which I entirely agree.

Hello, I really think in the first instance your friend should be discussing this with her oncologist. For example radiotherapy may involve treatment every day or alternate days for a number of weeks, a trip to France might therefore not fit into such a plan whereas chemotherapy may be given in cycles enabling holidays to be taken. There are so many variables - has surgery been undertaken - is surgery planned - what chemotherapy drugs etc etc. So I suggest  a treatment plan should  be formulated with the oncologist and then the possibilities of coming to France can be addressed to ensure that your friend is going to receive the best available treatment. As for the E 111, I think that is now the  EHIC but someone else I am sure will know about what your friend may or may not be able to claim

That is such dreadful news - as a fairly new member to the forum I have to say I always enjoy the posts from "SD" Very best wishes for a quick and full recovery.

Don't forget you may have to budget for full private health care insurance unless you can time your end of E106 and start of retirement age cleverly.

Here too,  just turned up - can't remember ever having asked for one. However, can't always remember what day it is, so..........

The people I mentioned , who are in every other way fine up-standing, law-abiding citizens tell me - "Oh, didn't know we had to ! we have never received a tax form"   which is why I was wondering what if any checks are made?

Now we have all finished and sent off our tax returns, hoping the correct figures are in the correct boxes and maybe wondering will anyone want to come and check up and investigate. I was thinking although I do not know many "brits" living in France  - maybe 5 or 6 couples - I do know that 3 of them have never filled in a French tax return although residing here. ( high percentage or what!) Is it just the people I associate with - or maybe it is something more widespread ?  

Having just spent the evening with neighbours - they have come up with : Je préférerais peigner la girafe... i.e to waste time on a pointless task. Watching paint dry, although they understood the meaning has no equivalent in French ( apparently)   

Is there an equivalent phrase in French for - it was like watching paint dry or - I'd rather watch paint dry.... or would a literal translation convey the same sentiment. Thanks   

Our local pompiers are a great bunch of guys ( using the modern interpretation of guys to include females!!) they do a wonderful job and I am sure you will enjoy the training and being  part of such a worthwhile team . As for the "really awful stuff "- well it may sound "awful" to say but you will very soon become accustomed to that and whatever role you have will just take over. So to echo everyone else - Go for it !!

I think they always put on a pretty good Flower Show

Just read this cutting - written by the much missed Miles Kington;  The French Navy, he claimed, had adopted a new slogan to spur its seamen on to valour and glory in France's hour of need. "To the water! The hour has come!" Or in French "A l'eau! C'est l'heure!" ( just say it out loud )  

Many thanks for all the replies - now if I can just find my way to the shop.........................

Apologies if this has been done before - I am looking to buy GPS for the car about 250 euros. Have read many reviews on Tom Tom Garmin Navman etc - and they all seem pretty much the same - would be grateful for any advise to help me reach a decision. Thanks

Having just seen another couleuvre sunning itself - I have to say I have seen a lot more already this year than previous years - wondered if it was just me they have come to visit - or are there more around?

The great cellist Pablo Casals, when aged just over 80 proposed marriage to an attractive 20 year old pupil. She accepted and on his wedding day his doctors advised - "but Mr Casals if you try and consummate this marriage the consequences could be fatal". To which he replied "well if she dies ... she dies!" 

Was there yesterday - still free but at 14.30 pretty full up with not a great deal of space to manoeuvre, so not surprised if there has been damage to some vehicules.Maybe they will start charging to try and reduce the numbers just left there? 

This is a good site - you get much better weather !! http://www.pleinchamp.com/home.aspx

[quote user="TefkaC"] Probabley incuring the wrath of the pcwhizz (as in the past)! You cann't beat a 4 stroke honda strimmer/brush cutter, well balanced can be used at any angle and you don't have to mix anything. Not cheap but efficient...........    I am now retiring to the bunker to await the replies....   Charlie..........   Absolutely agree - have had my Honda strimmer/brush cutter for 5 years now - and never had a single problem with it.   [/quote]

There was a recent (Feb 2008) update on malignant melanoma on the HAS website (ALD30) I thought it worth mentioning in view of the recent study indicating that melanoma of the scalp and neck would seem to be more aggressive than melanoma presenting  on other areas of the body. Now the sun has at last made an apppearance, time to put on the sun block and for those of you  going a bit thin on top (even some men apparently !!) time to knot those handkerchiefs.

Here's one that could have been used a few  months ago;   We're in the stickiest situation since Sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun ! Captain Blackadder

  Never eat more than you can lift. Miss Piggy

Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - - the ones we don't know we don't know. And if one looks throughout the history of our country and other free countries, it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones.  Donald H. Rumsfeld, Department of Defense news briefing, February 12, 2002