Renaud

I went to introduce myself to our mayor when we bought our house. He said jokingly - I think, as it was said with a broad smile - that he thought that England and the English were dreadful but he was very glad that the old houses in the comune were being brought back to life. He certainly has been affable whenever I have subsequently met him. I later found out that of the 222 households in the comune 10% were owned by the British. I had no idea when we started the purchase.

Sweets, what flag do you intend waving?

The Campanile hotel chain allow you to have dogs in your room, but mention the dogs when booking.

The last garden centre in Jonzac before you leave the town in the Barbezieux direction has sold us quality plants. Have a look at them.

We were very sad when we had an empty nest a year or so ago, though having a dog helps. However we were rather enjoying life when a daughter moved back in - with all her goods and chattels - now we just rather treasure evenings to ourselves when we get one.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100008040/more-evidence-of-the-brussels-racket-as-irish-euro-enthusiasts-turn-to-business-leaders cut and paste

Thank you Mr Cat.

Mel asked "...Is there anywhere on this planet with less atmosphere than that ferry terminal?" My nomination: Stansted airport.

We have had a couple of Belgian holidaymakers at our house and would like to add them to this hall of fame.

When Douglas Jardine was public enemy no ! in OZ for leading the 'bodyline' ashes series, he was fielding near the boundry and getting barracked. During a quiet spell he slapped away a fly. A voice came from the crowd. "And another thing Jardine, leave our flies alone."

Wait until the wind is in the other direction and light your own bonfire... Or talk to him.

Was it the Biker Mice from Mars whose mission to Earth was partly 'to invent a new pet food without that fishy aftertaste'?

Not so much the strong euro more their conservative attitude towards banking.

Pleasant as it was to see those on this forum who could attend last year, I think that it would be unfair on other potential hosts for us to have all the fun of hosting an event this year.

Sadly I am stuck in London until mid September. Still got a swimming costume somebody left behind last year.

When we first decided to open our house as a holiday let we looked at the various commercial websites and following good advice from Quillan decided which we would use. However we also found Your Holiday Matters (YHM) (www.yourholidaymatters.com) a co-operative whose members have a code of practice and are committed to providing holiday locations as advertised. Potential members are vetted. YHM is too fledgling an organisation to be an effective referrals site but I fully support its aim of bringing integrity to the holiday rentals market. The revised website (with new logo) will be launched soon, inshallah.

I will miss you too Odile. Bon chance.

Next visit to Bergerac you could try Buggs car hire. I had a problem and the Buggs people couldn't have been more helpful. When one has a problem it is helpful to be speaking in English. Sad but true.

Did they escape from EuroDisney?

Where is Maigret when you need him?

My daughter and her boyfriend recently returned from a holiday on his bike in France. St. Malo, Mirambeau, La Rochelle, Angers, Tours, Samur then Paris. They said that the nicest thing was that other bikers with British numberplates always smiled and waved to them. They said they felt a real sense of community on the otherwise foreign highways. Thanks guys.

You will not be able to recover the Orangina.

I agree with both propositions.

Britain will 'obviously' join euro says Mandelson Britain "obviously" remains committed to joining the euro following the currency's "success" in helping its members to weather the economic crisis, Lord Mandelson said. From the Torygraph website. Now you know.

When I was briefly employed driving cash-in-transit vans for Securicor, I once reversed into a pub car park trying to turn. I went too far (no rear mirror) and hit the building, bent the bumper. Next day I was carpeted by the C-I-T skipper who said I was not allowed in pubs whilst working, especially as I couldn't be bothered to get out of the van.