buelligan

Poor you PD, you may be one of those unfortunates who has a problem knowing their 'rs from their esses...[:D]  For those who miss their curries; I suggest making your own.  If you can't go the whole way, try using Geeta's sauces, chutneys etc http://www.geetasfoods.com/index.htm   If you don't want to buy online, they are available at Intermarche.  All of the sauces I have tried were excellent and I can highly recommend their Onion Chutney and Lime Pickle.  As you probably know, Intermarche also stock nans.  So stop whingeing and get cooking...[:D]

I use Milton and then a hot oven (put the jars into a cold oven and bring to temperature) but then I am a belt and braces sort of a gal...[:D]

It'd make me laugh if it didn't hurt so much....[:(]

There is a garden about half the size of the one you describe for sale here (11).  I believe the asking price is E3000.  Hope that helps in some small way.

I have some neighbours with a very small roof terrace.  When I moved in I noticed that they were keeping two labradors up there.  They didn't clean the terrace at all.  One of the dogs died of some sort of hemorrhage.  He was about 2 years old.  Several weeks later, when the neighbours were away I heard truly dreadful noises coming from the terrace.  I fetched a long ladder and found the poor, terrified little female in a terrible state.  She had no water or food (no bowls either), no bed or shade (and it was the middle of a Languedoc summer), the whole terrace  was deep in dog mess.  I did what I could, got bowls, water, food, bought her a bed at the local Jardiland and created a bit of shade for her.  There was no way I could carry her off the roof via the ladder and the house was locked up.  I took care of her until the owners returned and then went to see them about this terrible thing they had done.  Being unwilling to fight with my neighbours I accepted their assurances that it would never happen again.  The next day the poor dog disappeared, I hoped fervently that they had given her to a better home but had no confidence in the truth of that.  I have not spoken to them or acknowledged them since that day and am deeply ashamed that I did not do more to protect those poor dogs.  Yesterday, I saw that monstrous pair trotting around with a puppy.  I have heard a puppy barking on the roof terrace.  What should I do?  If I see that this dog is suffering the same fate can I get advice or help from any French organisations?  Would the Mayor be in a position to help?  Any advice would be very much appreciated I am determined that this little dog will not suffer as the other two did.  Many thanks!

Sorry, I read this thread very late but felt I should let you know that I had the same problem with my cat earlier in the summer.  I have always used Frontline but this May I noticed it just wasn't working at all.  At first I thought it might be just the pipettes I had so I bought a new lot only to find that they didn't work either.  Did some research on the net and read that cider vinegar (a drop in the cat's water) works.  Tried it to no avail.  I became desperate (as did my poor cat).  Then I bought Biocanispot chat 80 made by Biocanina from the pharmacist (actually cheaper than Frontline).  She had her first application on 7 August and has remained entirely flea free since then.  We are both very happy with the result![:D]

Cars get keyed every day.  Acts of petty vandalism take place all the time.  (I am very sorry that Rosienoo had this bad experience but)  I suspect that reading something more personal into the motivations of these anti-social individuals says more about ourselves, the victims, than about the perpetrators.  Perhaps we are just looking for some sort of predictive factor so that we can avoid the next unpleasant event.  Perhaps we see ourselves as more important than we really are and try to interpret the vandalism as somehow personal.  Whatever, IMO, the truth is that some humans can express themselves in a very negative and unpleasant way just because it comes naturally to them.  Our best defence against them is to remain civilised and to create a more civilised and respectful world where these unbalanced people cannot thrive without changing.

I took my very young niece and nephew hunting shrooms in the UK once.  We picked parasols.  When we got home I cooked them with a little garlic in butter for dinner.  My five year old niece decided she would prefer not to eat mushrooms and I made her a plain omlette instead.  In the middle of the night she woke me, she was quite ill with an upset stomach.  You have no idea how relieved I was that she had not eaten any mushrooms!  After that, I resolved never to share my fungi with anyone, the worry is just too great (and it also means you get to enjoy all the mushrooms!).[:D]

I'm sorry powerdesal, I have no attitude about this whatsoever, I am simply reporting what was said by those who worked at the station.  As I have never worked in that industry I am not in a position to prove or disprove the words of those individuals.  I suppose I should come clean though and reveal my vested interest.  It is that humans can continue to live on this planet in a healthy, reasonably civilised and happy way.  As far as sullying my mother's memory goes, I thank you for your concern.[:D]

My mother lived opposite Berkeley for many years.  She was Chairman of the Macmillan Cancer Support group in the area and was well aware of the number of cancer deaths there.  She knew people who worked at the power station and who freely admitted that they would cause alerts and shut-downs on days when they wanted to go home early.  She died at a young age of cancer herself.  She didn't drink or smoke ever. 

Of course, you're absolutely right powerdesal, silly old me!  No one in their right mind could possibly object to living next to a "traditional" style power station.  There is no need whatsoever to review how we supply power to the world.  Everyone is happy!  Super![:D][:D][:D]

I'm with Hereford on this one.  I usually add a tiny dash of vanilla sugar as well.  As far as I know Elmlea is to cream what Stork is to butter but I've never tried the stuff. [:)]

Hope this helps... http://www.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=338#section3 [:D]

Wind farms eh..?  I'm sure most on this forum (and elsewhere) want to use electricity.  How many of us would prefer to live next to a nuclear or fossil fuelled power station as opposed to a wind or solar farm?  Of course, what we really want is power at the flick of a switch and someone else living next to the mess...  It's a total PITA when we have to actually see and live near the results of our own consumerism isn't it...?  I'm with Maricopa on this one...[:D]

Could I ask whether anyone has any advice on how to stop bats coming into the house at night please?  I love them but, unfortunately, so does my cat.  Last night she managed to kill one much to my sorrow.  Is there anything I can do to stop a repeat performance?

...I think I may have been a "Rocker" once...or was it a "Greaser"..?  The only weapons I carried were my smart mouth and sense of humour, they got me into enough trouble though....[:D]

...any more Big Endians (or should that be Little Endians ?[8-)]) want to comment..?  I thought this thread was about Lockerbie....[:D]

Is it possible that some in power might not wish an appeal to be heard?  That they consider it "better all round" if they please the Libyans, appear to be just and compassionate, maintain the illusion that "we got the right man" and that the real culprits did not get away with it...?  I do not wish to appear cynical but I do not have much faith in the integrity of the "Justice System" (in any state, at any period of human history).  I envy anyone who does...[:(]

I live in the Languedoc but haven't been up to Rennes (le Chateau or les Bains) for a few months so I couldn't say with any authority.  We get so many tourists in the area who are generally attracted by the Cathar/Grail thing that it would be hard to tell if some amongst them were here specifically because of Sepulchre (or Labyrinth).  For my part, I enjoyed Labyrinth as a rip-roaring adventure but found Sepulchre rather dull and more predictable than the first book.  Hope you enjoy your next visit to this wonderful part of France![:)]

Just finished reading it. I recommend it highly but with minor reservations.  I don't think it's a particularly easy read.  The language is a little unusual so you have to be prepared to work a bit. It's a very interesting and thought provoking book.  I'm very glad I read it and would be most interested to hear what anyone else (who has read it) thinks about it.....[:D]

First things first!  Make sure you secure your ladder properly.  Obviously you will be working on the roof and if you have a mature infestation (they can reach a  height of 2.34m), you need to absolutely sure that even allowing for some minor stampeding you will be working in a safe environment.  Protective clothing is a must - never attempt to apply even the most innocuous of unguents, especially from an exposed and elevated position, without ensuring you are adequately dressed.  Lastly, take time to enjoy the experience.  Far too few of us have been blessed with an opportunity like this!  Make the most of it (I am sure many other forum members will)...[:D]  

Sorry, I should have been more precise with my wording (my English is not all it should be)! [:)]  When I wrote "immediately" I meant "immediately they became aware of it".  I am prepared to accept that even mods are not omnipresent![:D]

For what it's worth, I feel quite strongly that the posting should have been deleted immediately.  I read it all and was sickened by the pleasure that some posters appeared to gain from upsetting and bullying other members.  It was absolutely clear that the person in question believed that her details had been revealed and that, to me, is the salient fact. The whole thing was shamefully uncivilised and base.  Not the kind of humour I can laugh at at all.  I take it the dust is now deemed to have settled and it is permissable to post this...?[:D]

It's a lovely thought but, in my opinion, children are just like adults; all different [:D].  What might seem a delightful gift to one could be a toe cover (utterly useless object) to another.  Some Irish friends of mine (who have a holiday home in France) were in a similar quandry.  They decided to present good Irish smoked salmon and a few other Irish delicacies.  I know the recipient was very touched - probably more because they had expressed their gratitude which such obvious effort than by the gifts.  Although I know he and his family were very pleased with the salmon too!  What I am trying to say in such a long-winded way is; It's the thought that counts![:D]

Mmmm...that reminds me of a delicious dish I once ate at a little restaurant in Goleen, West Cork (the Sea Urchin, which I think has long since closed [:(]).  It was just a simple dish of summer vegetables in the most delicate, crispiest possible tempura batter.  A drizzle of piquant dressing to dip them in.  It was incredible![:D]