brianagain

Did you mention gambling, Brian? ...[:)]

While speculating on currency markets without any regard to the effect it may have on peoples lives is almost immoral; perhaps even worse are those who speculate on commodity markets such as grain or sugar purely for profit while not caring about how it may eventually affect farmers livelihoods and prices in the shops.  Surely there are other outlets for gambling (which is all it is at the end if the day, usually with other peoples money) - horse racing or football matches - but perhaps these are not arcane enough to attract sophisticated investors.  But then I'm not an economist so what do I know. I'll get my coat, Brian (again)

http://www.investmentu.com/latest-research/euro.php?code=X300L6081 Tighten your seat belts folks; here come more (so called) experts, Personally, I take everything they say with a large pinch of salt. Brian (again)

http://english.controleradar.org/speed-camera-detector.php Info here as well in English Brian (again)

Next two dates here Brian (again)

How about "Ty Gwyn" - recognised in both Pays des Galles and Bretagne. Brian (again)

Just for interest See here for first German ICE3 at St Pancras today. Brian (again)

[quote user="Gardian"]What is a strong possibility is the passage of French TGV and German ICE trains direct in to St Pancras from the continent in competition with Eurostar.  [/quote] The first trial run by an ICE-3 into St Pancras is due in 10 days time. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/19/london-frankfurt-train-high-speed Brian (again)

This 14km stretch of the A4 is due to open next month, obviating the need to take the route through Reims. Hopefully this will also be tollfree (as are many other major city ringroads or bypasses). Should save a few minutes if heading east to Alsace or south to Burgundy. http://www.a4csr-sanef.com/spip.php?article153 Brian (again)

Likewise for me, but as the UK bank account is with Nationwide, it's going be more expensive from next month, especially as the amounts usually charged to the account from SANEF will be relatively small. Brian (again)

The best book I ever read about Belgium was written by Harry Pearson A Tall Man in a Low Land.  The kind of book that has you laughing out loud spontaneously, so best not to read it on the train or in company. http://www.harrypearson.co.uk/extract3.htm

Eurostar?

Perhaps you've forgotten to renew your tv licence[:D][:D][:D]

The important word in the statement Bénéficiez aussi de -25% sur vos trajets vers l’un des 30 pays européens adhérents à RailPlus... is "vers". The reduction is only applicable on cross border journeys. Brian (again)

Can't really recommend Garmin after using one in France for a couple of weeks earlier this month. The directions in the countryside often give you a (non existent signed) street name rather than the number of the road when exiting a roundabout. Why look for non existent street names in country districts when the number of the road is there on the top of the signposts. ie. less "Route de Nyons à Carpentras" and more "D7" Equally many directions, esp off roundabouts, are less than accurate - driving south on the D7 towards Carpentras the instruction "take first exit" off one particular roundabout will take you into the delivery yard of the Vignerons Beaumes de Venise rather than the D7. My old Michelin satnav was better but they no longer make them. Whatever else you do, always take a real map with you. Brian (again)

Sadly Laurent Fignon died today. Even while commenting on last month's Tour de France on France2/3 he seemed as enthusiastic about the sport as ever, although it was obvious he was very ill. RIP Laurent. Brian (again) http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/08/31/97001-20100831FILWWW00458-cyclisme-deces-de-laurent-fignon.php

http://www.douane.gouv.fr/page.asp?id=79 Seems like there is no specific limit but amounts over 10000 euros must be declared to the customs when crossing internal EU borders. Brian (again)

Was there a football match today? - must have missed it because I was watching the French cycling championship on FR3 - well done Thomas Voeckler! Brian (again)

[quote user="gardengirl "]That involves a taxi to Luton airport, waiting time there, the flight, shuttle bus into Nimes, coffee near Nimes station while waiting for local bus, bus to our small town, and a very short walk to our apartment. [:D] We hope very much that Nimes airport stays open after next year [/quote] Have travelled from (via) London to Nimes several times in the past few years by Eurostar changing at Lille for a direct TGV to Nimes - much more civilised and far less stressful. Why do so many people ignore the advantages of travelling by train?

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport-environment/ryanair-pledges-to-refund-police-after-water-row-1.1037345 Luckily I don't need to use Ryanair (much prefer the train) but who'd want to be on a flight like this? Brian (again)

http://www.booking.de/searchresults.html?aid=303948;label=germany;sid=739b7c1b0c5d0adc5d4e240168ce0171;class_interval=1;idf=1;mr=1;offset=0;si=ai%2Cco%2Cci%2Cre%2Cdi;ss_all=0;;city=-1455966;origin=disamb The Booking.com website usually has a good selection of reviews if checking out a destination Brian (again) (We stayed at the Boeuf Rouge several years ago - seemed ok then but of course things can change over the years)

Relatively nice here in the Bodensee - sunshine again today in Germany / Suisse Brian (again)

I guess that was the good news but I see that there is a (another?) grève nationale on the trains today - seems that services are disrupted at present - sorry! Brian

A quick check on the SNCF website shows a single ticket to be about 34 euros for trains this evening?? Brian (again)

"Booze Cruises? With the present cost of cross-channel crossings and the deflated value of the pound sterling to the euro, I doubt that all but the regular home imbiber will choose France over their local supermarket." Interesting to see that both the Sainsburys and Tesco wine outlets in Calais are closing soon due a fall-off in trade. Brian (again)