brianagain

According to an article in cycling news, Johnny Hoogerland seems remarkably sanguine about the whole thing. "It might be a scandal but I don't think they did it in purpose. Everything's well taken care off over here but... you can be mad but I don't think they did it in purpose," Hoogerland repeated. "I know that I'll be in a lot of pain during the rest day. I hope I can recover. It's a pity but I'm a Zeelander. We're not easy to tear apart. I'm still alive..." Brian (again)

The photo makes it look like he's being taken in to help with enquiries (more's the pity it isn't so) Brian (again)

Having only holidayed in this part of the Gers, I don't have any personal recommendations but you could start here: http://www.linternaute.com/restaurant/home/5/62/gers.shtml Perhaps after Fources, you should carry on to visit Larressingle (le petit Carcassonne) and make your choice from what's on offer in Condom. Brian

http://www.flickr.com/photos/francetvsport/5921834685/in/photostream Video clip of incident Brian

Don't suppose it will be long before the "Sun on Sunday" appears on the newsstands (or am I just a cynic?) Brian (again)

Not sure if you really mean Geraint Thomas, currently wearing the British championship jersey, as opposed to 'Cuddles' Evans who is an Aussie. http://www.teamsky.com/profile/0,27291,17543_6636476,00.html As you say it's as much a cultural tour de France, (esp. if you watch FR2/3) as a bicycle race. Always interesting to see places visited on holiday - we spent a couple of weeks in the Pleneuf / Erquy area in 2009 - so nice to see it again on tv. Brian (again)

... and for those in France it is on FR2/3 starting at midday (CET). FR2 at 12.00, then FR3 at 12.50. back to FR2 at 13.25, and finally FR3 at 15.25. Hope the organisers have double checked the tide times for crossing the Passage du Gois. Brian

Travelled back by Eurotunnel today - everything seemed normal around Calais (A16) and the large contingent of CRS had decamped for pastures new. Brian (again)

"34.4° in Dunkerque" We had lunch in Bergues today and can confirm that it was far too hot to stay in the sun. After a couple of weeks of changeable weather in the Moselle Valley (the German/scenic bit), I think I prefer that to what we have at the moment. Brian (again)

Traffic slow/halted around Lille earlier today, but everything seems fairly normal around Dunkerque/Calais except for a picket near one of the link roads to port facilities at Dunkerque. However, I spotted a large contingent of CRS vehicles parked up by Cite Europe? Brian (again)

Could be of interest https://iplayer.bbcworldwide.com/ Brian (again)         

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jun/01/blackpool-earthquake-tremors-gas-drilling Seems like the people of Blackpool are not too keen either. Brian (again)

[quote user="Frecossais"]Oh, I wish I'd seen that series last summer, it looks very faithful to the books, and the scenery looks fantastic. Thanks, Brianagain for the link. [/quote] A heads up for the showing of "Through a glass, darkly" on FR3 next Sunday (5th June) at 2030 (CET). This is one of the German tv series of Donna Leon's novels.  "Suffer the little children" was shown tonight on FR3 but unfortunately I missed it - the last 3 weeks have been dedicated to following the Giro d'Italia (British rider David Millar won the final stage today) instead of keeping up on French tv. Brian (again)

Bastide Brewery is still in existence if its website is to be believed http://www.bastidebrewery.com/ Two other (French) websites for French breweries are http://projet.amertume.free.fr/index_brasseries.htm http://www.biere-france.com/ As Dog says, many of these artisanale beers are expensive so I try to stick to my own favourite - Jenlain Ambrée - which is fairly widely available, but only one bottle suffices. Brian (again)

[quote user="Mel"]  Irrespective of what we all think about Ryanair's 'add ons' to their charges, I would have thought them bigger than to get involved with this kind of stuff. [/quote] From Webloyalty's own website: Ryanair's Sinead Finn, Director of Commercial Revenue, commented: "Growing ancillary revenue allows us to keep fares low for our customers. Now, in partnership with Webloyalty across three European markets, our passengers are offered further value with ongoing discounts from Webloyalty's programme – whilst we achieve a welcome boost to our revenue stream." So you can see that Ryanair's intentions are all aimed at keeping their prices low for their customers - nothing to do with increasing profits.[;-)]

You have to search the FAQ section to find this http://www.ryanair.com/en/questions/what-is-shopper-discounts-and-rewards Ryanair are not the only online retailer with this 'service', seems there are many more, both in the UK and France.  However, it appears that some  companies with an online website have dropped it after complaints (Debenhams and B&Q) Brian (again)

Ryanair are just one of several online companies who have teamed up with this company to exploit its customer database. You will have used your card details to purchase your flight, hotel room or whatever so that's where "shoppersdiscounts" get your details. I managed to avoid this very recently when making a booking with Premier Inn - the "come on" was a £10 discount on your next booking but happily I read the small print first. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shopper_Discounts_%26_Rewards http://www.60millions-mag.com/actualites/archives/les_fausses_bonnes_affaires_de_remises_et_reductions Brian (again)

Don't know if anyone else watched La Flèche Wallonne on FR3 this afternoon, but what a rider is Philippe Gilbert, blowing away the others in an impressive finish up the Mur de Huy, and especially after last weekend's triumph in the Amstel Gold. Can't wait for next Sunday's La Doyenne (Liege-Bastogne-Liege) which is also being broadcast on FR3. Brian (again) http://www.steephill.tv/players/youtube3/?title=Last%209%20Kms&dashboard=classics/fleche-wallonne&id=zoa3cTWVnxI&yr=2011

Not sure why anyone would want to pollute nitrogen - perhaps it's a mute point that people want to keep quiet about.[:D][:D] (I've just been reading the thread about correct grammar elsewhere on this forum) Brian (again)

[quote user="Aitch"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AReZEjERo_o[/quote] Lovely. And you don't even have to be Scots to appreciate the music of Runrig. Brian (again)

For a Dancer by Jackson Browne by JB http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSz1go_UxtY&feature=related or a more upbeat version by Linda and Emmylou http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuZHHUWMj7A Brian (again)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/20/france-at-a-glance-guide Should make interesting reading over the next few days (esp. the comments) Brian (again)

Things may change in the future http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9421996.stm Quote from the article: "Amazon, the biggest e-book retailer, is getting in on the e-lending act. It offers the ability, in the US alone and only if the publishers opt in, to allow the "owner" of an e-book to lend it to someone else. Each file is allowed to be loaned only once for 14 days and cannot be read by the original purchaser during that time. " Brian (again)

Take direction towards Rouen, Boulogne, etc. which is the left hand lane leaving the tunnel towards the A16, join A16 then leave at first exit 41.  Bear right at junction, up to roundabout, first exit then follow road into Coquelles. Brian (again)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/mar/01/bernie-ecclestone-rain-formula-one Isn't this really an admission that, in its present form, Formula One is just plain boring? Brian (again)