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FairyNuff

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Everything posted by FairyNuff

  1. We did our move in two trips with a hired van, no problems at all. A quick glance on Rosyth dock coming to France, and another one going back to Scotland. The sniffer dog was very interested in the holdall in the back of the van going back, which the HMRC man asked about, but it was only dirty washing. Fortunately he didn't ask to confirm it! I can't remember what the rate was on the ferry, but not too bad, even though we were technically freight. FairyNuff
  2. Bonsoir Thanks for the replies. At the moment we're feeding him dry food, with water always down. He hasn't slept inside at night yet, we're open plan so I'm a bit twitchy about that. He came inside for the first time yesterday, it's true about cats being curious, he was into all the nooks & crannies, sweeping out the cobwebs. At the moment he's chosen my usual chair, cheeky b*gger! having a wash. We'll talk to some friends about the vets they use and see how we go from there. FairyNuff
  3. We seem to have been adopted by a young cat. He seems to be well socialised and in good health. We've never been slaves to a cat so, apart from a visit to the vet to have his **ts cut off (any ideas of the cost?) what else do we need to buy / do? Thanks FairyNuff (and Sandy)
  4. [quote user="pachapapa"] What a tremendous spectacle; the Grande Finale was awesome. Definitely on my provisional agenda for a visit next year. When I think of how much time and money I've wasted over the years with the Edinburgh Castle event, a paltry affair. [/quote]   We watched it on TV last night too, and thought we must try and get there sometime. But I'm sorry I have to disagree with you about the Edinburgh Tattoo. I used to do first aid duty there and absolutely loved it, and there's nothing to beat hearing "Black Bear" and "Scotland the Brave" as the pipes and drums march down Castlehill. [:D] I don't think you're comparing like with like, in Edinburgh they're very restricted by the size of the castle esplanade, whereas the Grande Finale took place in a stadium. But I did thouroughly enjoy it. FairyNuff
  5. Could they be quetsches? They're apparently mostly found in north east France, Luxembourg and Germany. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetsche FairyNuff Edit: I posted this on the wrong thread [:$], so I've copied it here.
  6. Could they be quetsches? They're apparently mostly found in north east France, Luxembourg and Germany. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetsche FairyNuff   [8-)] Sorry, I posted this on the wrong thread! and for the poster who suggested that quetsche are yellow - not according to the link above.
  7. These sound like prunes de St Jean, small plums about the size of  the yellow mirabelle. They're sometimes called cherry plums. We've made jam with them, and this year we've preserved some in alcohol, along the lines of sloe gin. We'll see how they turn out around Christmas time! [:D] FairyNuff
  8. Thanks to everyone who has sent PMs, I'll have a look at your suggestions. It's not happening until next year anyway, but I thought I'd start thinking about it early. [geek] FairyNuff
  9. To Scooter I received your PM, thanks for getting in touch. Your B&B sounds lovely but it's a bit off the beaten track for my older relatives! I had in mind something a bit more cultural / historical, we're not generally very sporty as a family. I tried replying via PM but when I tried clicking on your PM the forum couldn't find it. Thanks again for the input FairyNuff [:)]  
  10. Every year my sisters and brother and I, with our other halves, get together for a weekend. This year we were in Ravenglass from Friday evening to Sunday lunch time, walking up to Muncaster Castle to stroll through the gardens.  Next year it's my turn to organise here in France and I'm looking for inspiration. We're 8 adults, no dogs, and looking for a small hotel or B&B, near enough to attractions to keep us occupied for a couple of days. Three of the couples are coming from England and we live in 36 Indre. Age range from 53 to 75 [blink]. Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks in advance FairyNuff
  11. We live in Indre and come under CCPI (Communauté de Communes du Pays d'Issoudun) for our rubbish collection. We have one a week and we pay about €150 a year for 2 people in a maison principale. Our bill is paid twice a year, in June and December. Before we moved here permanantly it was registered as a maison secondaire and we paid a bit less (about €100 I think). Is the house registered as a maison principale? Perhaps you could check that out. I do know that there are other villages around Issoudun which are served by a private company for their dustbin collections, and they pay very much more. I'm afraid I can't comment on any exemptions, but like many threads on here give this advice - could you ask at the mairie? FairyNuff
  12. [quote user="Mr Coeur de Lion"][quote user="FairyNuff"] Post-vasectomy testing used to be part of my job [blink].[/quote] You couldn't do a one off inspection then ;) I actually heard today that the French in general are very much opposed to vasectomies. Maybe it's the catholics in them? [/quote]   Sorry I can't, they kept the microscope! FairyNuff  [:)]
  13. Post-vasectomy testing used to be part of my job [blink]. In our lab it was simply a matter of observing a few drops with a microscope, however protocols often vary slightly from one lab to the next. Every year we would receive a few urine specimens, because the patient had been told to provide a 'sample'......[8-)] I definitely recommend asking your medecin traitant for guidance on who can help you. "Chapeau" to you for doing something about it, because we did have one or two cases (over 20 years) where the vasa had rejoined several years after the op. [:-))] FairyNuff
  14. Like several posters I was a veritable bookworm (still am), always at least two books a week from the mobile library. I once nearly set the house on fire because I was so immersed in a book.  A doll called Rosebud, two teddies (Big Teddy, who 'grumbles', and Little Teddy who's blue) which I still have, much to Mr FN's amusement. [:D] A dolly's tea set from my auntie Elsie. A second-hand bike, with 24" wheels as I remember. In wet weather when not reading, ludo, scrabble, snakes and ladders. These are all fond memories of fairly simple things that make up the richness of our lives. I don't know whether it's because they are childhood memories that make them unforgettable, but I don't seem to remember in such detail the things and events from adulthood. FairyNuff      
  15. [quote user="Gemonimo"]I took the Margaret Thatcher route and went prematurely blonde[Www][/quote] Me too! [:D] FairyNuff
  16. [quote user="Chancer"] You would strugle even more with the comments last night of the President of the Conseil Generale de la Vendée. Not our fault, it could never have been foreseen it was a combination of three events never seen before. 1. Spring high tide - sorry mate but that comes every year and is not due yet. 2. 200 km/h winds - I think that was an exaggeration 3. An atmospheric depression that lifted the sea so high that it came over the digue - that one really made me laugh, it could not possibly have been wave damage like they suffer every year that breached the digue could it? [8-)] [/quote]   Was that the chap who was interviewed wearing sunglasses after dark? Perhaps he was hiding behind them. I thought he looked a bit silly. I admit I didn't catch all of what he said, but his body language said it all. FairyNuff
  17. In Indre we had a howling gale (132 km/h)  from about 11 on Saturday night, the power was off until 11pm on Sunday. My friend about 5 miles away still has no power. We have some tiles off the house and the carport, but nothing major for us. The worst thing was not knowing when it would end and the frustration of having no power to continue the latest project. When you realise how bad it was for others you're just grateful not to be in their position. The people of the coastal areas of Vendée and Charente Maritime have my utmost sympathy, it isn't finished yet for them. FairyNuff
  18. Thank you for all the responses, it's given us food for thought. [:)] Having lived in soft water areas all my life (west Yorkshire and near Edinburgh) it was truly a shock to come to live in France - crusty taps, furry kettles, lots more shampoo etc. I hope everyone's survived the storm without too much damage. My heart goes out to the poor souls on the west coast of France. FairyNuff
  19. Having seen the inside of our hot water tank, we're in the process of putting in a new one, we were discussing the possibility of having a water softener. Speaking to different people and searching the internet I can't find out if you can drink the water after it's been through a salt-based system. Does anybody out there have the definitive answer? Thanks in advance FairyNuff  [:)]
  20. In general a teaspoon is 5 mls, a dessert spoon 10 mls and a tablespoon 15 mls, as CBC65 says. We have some rather modern style teaspoons from IKEA, which I doubt hold 5ml, so I have to take care which one I use for measuring. [:)] FairyNuff
  21. [quote user="Gemonimo"]Is anyone else addicted to beurre au sel de guerande? When I get back from the UK after christmas I'm going to spread it liberally on some CRUMPETS!!!!![/quote]   Yes, we go through loads of it! Don't keep it in a stainless steel butter dish though, you get rust spots. [geek] FairyNuff
  22. [quote user="Jay"]First purchase  HERE Second purchase HERE That gets rid of a good chunk of it then I would probably give the wife something for putting up with me all those years. [/quote]   Oh how I detest that phrase! It puts her on a par with 'the car' or 'the chair'. Surely after 'all those years' she's entitled to be referred to as 'my wife'? FairyNuff (who's someone's wife!) [:D]
  23. [quote user="dragonrouge"]We live in the Vendee and my wife has immune system problems in that she takes a very special drug for RA. She saw the Doctor last Friday and my wife thought that he said that both it was not yet available in our area and that indeed she would be written to directly with further details? Is this correct please?[/quote] I believe that you will receive an invitation (bonne de vaccination?) to attend a vaccination centre, not necessarily your doctor,  direct from the health authorities. It's then up to you whether to have it or not. I think those most at risk will be invited first, but how they're going to work that one out I don't know. FairyNuff
  24. I just checked in the cupboard and it's 'Fécule de maïs', I think Mazena is a brand name. [:D] FairyNuff
  25. Hello to everyone Has anyone used 'clubatcost.fr'? I've just seen it advertised on French TV, but hadn't heard of it before. Just wondering if it's any good, especially for a slightly middle-aged lady. [;-)] FairyNuff  
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