Judith

Off post a bit, but I still CANNOT understand why anyone who lives or has a place in France (or Spain or indeed anywhere else in Europe, though this is French forum so presume we all have an interest in France) voted FOR Brexit.  I also take umbrage in the use of the words "many" and "most" ... I might be English, and yes, I think like a Brit quite often, but I am also European, and have been since we first joined - I'd been coming to France before then, and joining the EU just made it all much easier.  They'll be quite a few regretting their vote to leave when they find out just how difficult it could become to travel here to their maison secondaire ... and I met many of those this weekend as I returned from scattering my father's ashes ... they all think that life will continue as before .... and they have the shortest of memories, me thinks.

Our mairie puts the regular test of water quality on their web site ... I cannot remember if it includes hardness.  As it happens, I have another route to the information as a very good French friend is in charge of technical services for the locality, with water his special concern, so if needed, I can get the info straight from the horse's mouth, as it were.  And he speaks good English as well, so no problem of understanding, even if we occasionally both struggle to find the correct word in the other's language!

I see that more modern satnavs than mine constantly show the speed limit for the road you are driving on. Brilliant! Cos as ALBF says above, you only have to have a lorry obscuring the sign and you are scuppered. All well and good - if they are correct - they are not always, even when kept updated. I have just driven both ways through France, and my GPS was not always correct.  It is also difficult to change speed quickly - there was one occasion when the change from 130 to 110 was made half way down a pretty steep hill - with no warning beforehand.  If you just happen to be overtaking at the time ... voila, caught on camera with no intention to speed, bu not way of not doing so either. And yes, sadly I did get a fine - I presume when it changed from 110 to 90 with no warning as I was overtaking. Even when trying hard not to speed, it can happen.  I was cruising downhill well below the permitted speed limit, with foot OFF accelerator - if I had not kept a careful eye I too would have been unintentionally speeding ... just  because of the gain in speed due to the incline. I try hard not to speed, but there are often extenuating circumstances.

Now I see why you only wanted 12 letters!  Gorgeous, as is the lamp!  I think I might be just a tad jealous of your talent!