Cendrillon

"Out of curiosity I checked a copule of days later and the return had come back down to £35 - did not have the heart to tell them though." Paul I agree, it is never a good idea to look at fares after booking, what's done is done and usually cannot be changed. The only time I would look is when I have managed to book the cheapest deal ever!

[quote user="Pierre ZFP"][quote user="Pads"] Joyeux noël Nouvelle année heureuse à toi et à votre famille Im hoping this says:  Merry christmas , Happy new year , to you and your family Am I Right ? [:)] Thankyou [/quote] I think you want 'ton' insted of 'votre' as you are using 'toi' otherwise it isn't consistant with itself. but the sentiment is just fine [/quote] I think that should be "ta" famille

Thermal undies, plus layers of suitable clothing Wear warm socks or thick tights  A good brisk walk during the day Indoors wear good slippers, look for ones with thick soles especially if you have tiled floors Hot water bottle for bedtime but best of all a good electric blanket   Bon courage[:)]

Like most things in life, you pay your money and you take your choice be it cheap and cheerful or that extra bit of comfort. Confirmed Brittany Ferry fan.[:)]

If they are in your area BUT sell reasonable beds and will hire you a van. If they have the beds in stock that will work if not you will need to order the bed in advance.

"My OH was able to show him all the things that were wrong and, to our surprise, he agreed to put things right.  That was the good bit.  The bad news is, he said he would order the materials and come back after January! To be honest, all I wanted was to be shot of him and get someone in to finish the job but my OH, being of a more forgiving nature, agreed to wait (yet again).  The thing is, there's no guarantee that the job will be done right and we would have hung about for something like 9 months for a job that should take no more than a couple of days (3 at most)."   I think you said in an earlier post that water was coming in because tiles not been replaced (or was that someone else?) I would now be inclined to complain loudly via the shop where you bought the stove. Tell them it's not good enough, job has not been completed to your satisfaction, get them to have words with this shoddy worker and to find you someone more suitable.   Bon courage

[quote user="Pads"]You could always go shopping !![Www][/quote]   Nothing like a bit of "retail therapy" and it will be January Sales time as well[:)]

Friends of ours used Europcar and were pleased with the deal they had.

[quote user="le val charente"] Hello Due to start in Spring 2008. There was an article in yesterday's local paper saying there should be an announcement about which airline by the end of Dec or January.  Apparently Easyjet and Ryanair are putting forward their costings and schedules and there will be a decision then.   [/quote] Back in  Sep / Oct. Sud-Ouest  had a small article saying that Ryanair (Stansted) and GB Airways (Gatwick) would fly to Angouleme in 2008. The GB Airways flights had definitely been included in their summer schedules according to a friend of mine who works for them. Now that GB Airways is to  be taken over by Easy Jet (end of March) then it could be possible that  Easy Jet will operate this route..........but who knows![blink]

Betty It was few weeks ago but it was on TV .............honest!  Pictures of the children singing etc.[:)]   All I can say is "good for Berks." I am pleased to see they can support and embrace the multi culture, good for them.

[quote user="Loiseau"] [quote user="Cendrillon"] Well the French have a good point and there are French carols. ... .[/quote]   But only about two, Cendrillon!   I have never heard anything other than a French equivalent of "O Come All Ye Faithful" and the ubiquitious "Il est ne, le divin enfant".  (sorry, can't do accents on the laptop!) At a grand Christmas spectacle at the Puy du Fou (85) last week - which was a cross between Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge and Chipperfields' circus, they also used one (in English) called, I think, "The Coventry Carol", and a French version of "Angels from the Realms of Glory".   Angela [/quote] Quite a few on here Loiseau http://french.about.com/od/christmascarols/French_Christmas_Carols_Chants_de_Nol.htm [:)]

[quote user="5-element"] [quote user="Tony F Dordogne"]Sort of like the Brits who come to France and steadfastly refuse to learn French.[/quote] Just saw a poster in my little down, which advertised "Carols and Christmas Services", etc... all in English. Someone wrote all over it with a felt tip: VOUS ETES EN FRANCE. APPRENEZ LE FRANCAIS! This may appear off thread, and yet.... [/quote] [:)] Well the French have a good point and there are French carols. However it is Christmas and many will want to feel close to home and sing the carols they know and love. I saw on TV that a school in Slough has such a high percentage of Polish children that they will be singing some of the Polish carols at school this year.

[quote user="Tony F Dordogne"]Sort of like the Brits who come to France and steadfastly refuse to learn French.[/quote] [;-)]

On the other hand it was reported today that councils will no longer be translating their documents into 10+ languages as it has been discovered that contrary to local opinion there is no legal requirement for them to do so and it's costs a fortune. Panda   Apparently another reason is that "the powers that be" have come to the conclusion that if everything is translated then the incomers have less need to learn the language and integrate.

Is there anything to stop me getting too bored around the Lezay area in Dept.79, I fancy Salsa dancing but doubt if anything like that so I will settle for anything, fed up with knitting now.  valB You will be fully occupied with your "driving in France" activities won't you? Just imagine, once you are confident again you will be able to drive yourself to all these activities and there will be never a dull moment. [:)]   Go for it!

[quote user="lynda777"] Eh?  Sorry, this custom doesn't seem to have been mentioned in any of the books I have read. Could someone please elaborate?  What is the expected participation?  Present for the postman?  Is that normal?  Anyone else?  What about the school-teachers?  Lynda   [/quote] The OP was talking about gifts for their builders etc. The firemen usually do the rounds with their calendars and they definitely deserve a donation. I think gifts for teachers (at junior school level anyway) are the norm as in the U.K.  A Fr. friend of mine was teacher in a maternelle and was always  given end of year / Christmas gifts.

http://www.cren-poitou-charentes.org/article159.html   maybe these people would have something of interest.

[quote user="Just Katie"]You are harping on about these old men sitting around the place.............It's called RETIREMENT !!  The old men in UK pace up and down the sitting room peeing out of the window.  I am sure they would like a sunny bench to sit on to while the time away.  Our poor sods are stuck in the house with the wife while it is p issing down outside.[/quote]   Katie Do they really do this? [8-)][:$] or was it a typo?[Www]

Good for you Simon it certainly helps to be pro-active[:)]

I see the same old fellows sitting on the bus bench at 7am. They are still there at midday. Venture into the village near 6pm and there they all still are, just sitting.   Jura they are probably only allowed home when it's dinner time[:)]

Merci [:)]

Have you talked to the maire about this proposed hangar? I am sure there must be restrictions on noise (e.g. starting / finishing times) but he (your neighbour) doesn't sound like the kind of person who would take any notice.[:(] For peace of mind it would be great if you could buy the land. Bon courage and do let us know the outcome

Cathy. Don't tell everyone! [8-)] Many who read this forum are looking to move to France for a better educational system for their children and crime free living![:(]    

I changed it when the OP couldn,t be bothered to reply.   [;-)]Have just read your last line...........................![:)][:)][:)] good on you!

What, don't tell me the've moved it ?   Bugbear, you really should try and get out more![:)]