mint

Rosbif, here are a couple more suggestions, if you do not have these already! Whilst pvc windows tend to be better fitting than old wooden window frames and thus make the room feel warmer, do you use any sort of draught excluding strips on your windows to help with getting a good fit? You may remember those tv adverts from Anglian windows years ago where a man sits in front of a replacement window, holding out a feather and letting it drop to the floor.  What that demonstrates is that the windows are free from draughts.  My windows have some sort of strip (neoprene?) around them.  You mention that you have wood windows but do they have beading around the glass?  If you do opt for overhauling your windows instead of replacing them, you might like to consider having beading as well as draught excluding strips.  The beading would also be good for security. And, lastly, don't forget a good old-fashioned draught excluder at the bottom of the door can add hugely to comfort[:)]

Thanks for your message, Loiseau. Could you please tell Pat, when you are next in touch, to sort out the problems PDQ and return here ASAP.  I shall feel her absence and look forward to her posting again.   

I am not that fond of them though a friend does make very nice ones. What I do enjoy are beignets des fleurs d'accacia but hardly anybody amongst my circle makes them these days because of the work involved. On the whole, I don't go a bundle on deep-fried foods.

Id, I agree with you about UPVC, I don't like it either.  So I understand about poor Rosbif's problem; the house just wouldn't look the same, would it? I dislike UPVC shutters particularly.  Putting my head above the parapet here, but they just look too regular and "nasty" to me. Actually, double glazing is excellent for noise insulation but not so much for heat insulation.  As long as the windows are well-fitting, IMHO, it's not worth the cost of replacing with DG.  After all the heat "insulation" is the air between the glass panes. Do you have good shutters, Rosbif?  Would you consider fitting inside shutters or even some good quality thick curtains? Or simply having the windows overhauled, maybe change to plate glass if the existing glass is not of sufficiently good quality. We live in a house that is made up of an old original house and a new extension.  The older bit has excellent joinery and plate glass on all the windows.  The newer part also has good windows and doors all double glazed.  I can't say I notice any difference in comfort between the 2 parts of the house.  What I do notice is that the old joinery is a lot better quality and classier although, to be fair to the previous owner, they have matched up the joinery throughout and must have spent a fortune.  I guess the newer stuff is simply just not as well-made or as beautiful. 

I agree with you about Sexton.  What's the matter with his kicking?

OK, UaG, I'm not arguing with you because I know I get quite hazy at times about things that I think have happened!

Now, now, UaG, the TMO showed quite clearly that the chap was fully committed and his arms didn't change direction which would have proved that it was a deliberate knock on.  The yellow card was the right decision. Equally the French could have argued about the try that was not allowed because it was questionable whether it was indeed a forward pass.  Not at all clear from the slo mo. The refs always get criticised by coaches, teams and fans and they do make mistakes of course.  Still Biggar didn't look great arguing. And I am normally a huge Welsh fan, lived between the Aberavon ground and Taibach rugby club for a few years[:)]

Did you watch the Wales France match yesterday? Wow! just wow!  France winning with more flair and youthful intrepidity[:)] Experience isn't everything then? Anyone want to predict whether it will be Ireland or England at Twickers?

from your peach tree? Couple of years ago, we were given 2 peach trees by an Irish friend who moved back to Ireland.  We didn't know what they were (only about a foot each) and neither did he. Regrettably, we got rid of one for want of space!  The other one flowered for the first time last year and the blossoms looked beautiful on the bare branches.  It did produce quite a few peaches but, unfortunately, the fruit were mostly maggoty. Can someone tell me whether there is something you could spray on it to prevent insect attack?

For doing that, ALBF, I'd used quick lime. 

For leftovers and other foodstuffs (raw or cooked), which is better to use from the point of view of the environment and of health? For most things, I tend to put them in deep dishes and put a plate over the top.  I also use glass jars and glass containers with lids.  Do use plastic boxes which are sturdy enough to last for years.  But sometimes, when it's just to keep in the fridge for a day or two, I hesitate over the cling film and the foil. Wasn't there some worry about aluminium saucepans and food containers some years ago?  As for cling film, that is single use plastic and I wonder whether I should still be using it?

Don't worry about the médicaments; they are there to get you over the difficult patches.  My thinking is take everything that will help.  Then when you are over the worse, you can always stop them? bon courage[:)]

[quote user="nomoss"][quote user="mint"]When I first came to France, I was told that only 4 vowel sounds give anglophones problems so that you will be OK if you could say correctly:  un bon vin blanc! [/quote] How about the vowel sounds in: il n'y a que le pub? [/quote] Hey, nomoss, I said that only 4 give problems and, as PatF has pointed out, these are the nasalised vowels. Don't you see, the rest don't or shouldn't give problems at all......[:P]

Judith, if you are still worried tomorrow, just go to the nearest Urgences.  In my experience, they are very good about getting you seen and, if necessary, treated.

AFAIK, the storm is only going to be at its worst for 48 hours.  So why don't you put the root balls in water until you could plant them out?  Won't harm in water for a couple of days. All is calm chez nous; in fact, going to be 19° tomorrow afternoon!  Think I'll have an early lunch and go out with my neighbours for a walk.

When I first came to France, I was told that only 4 vowel sounds give anglophones problems so that you will be OK if you could say correctly:  un bon vin blanc!

Oy, you Judith, read AGAIN!  I said I liked most Northern and West Country accents.  I particularly like Yorkshire.  For many years, a very good friend from Yorkshire was, to me, a typical Yorkshire person; kind, generous, called a spade a spade, couldn't do enough for anybody but very quick to spot a fake. And West Country, well, I have lived and worked there in various locations and still have friends there that I stay in touch with. BTW, hope your leg is better and you are getting out and about?  Lovely day here, warm and sunny.

Yes, id, I laughed too! As for your English accent, please tell me it is not Northern Irish (apologies NI)!  Otherwise that will be something I will have to learn to like. What you say is true about who the accent belongs to.  For example, I never liked Brummie until I had some really lovely friends from Birmingham.  After that, because I liked them, I associated the accent with them.  If I said I liked Brummie, some people look at me in horror and say oh you can't possibly. The other accent I have difficulty with (but not dislike) is any Scottish accent further north than Falkirk, say, Perthshire or Shetlands way. But I like most Northern accents and West Country ones.  Not RP (or BBC English) though.  Don't know why but it always sounds affected and insincere to me. Oh and Mockney, not too keen but don't mind real Cockney.

Is this the place to confess to a thrill for watching thunder, lightning and buckets of rain whooshing down? There was one year when we were staying in a hotel in Sorrento with a magnificent view of Vesuvius.  One night, there was a storm like no others I had ever seen.  I insisted on opening the French windows and watching the spectacle and letting the rain come in and OH knew better than to ask me why I was opening the huge floor to ceiling windows .....lol

 I beg to disagree about an English accent being mignon when speaking French!  I find a strong English accent grating and even difficult to understand. Don't get me wrong, I do not claim my own accent is impeccable, far from it, hélas.  I have heard some English people who are perfectly comprehensible, especially those who manage to speak in sentences[:-))]  Others, not so much  ... even those who have lived here in access of 20 years going on 30. When I belonged to a French reading club, it became painfully obvious that an English accent was anything but mignon. Still, that's my opinion and it is not intended to upset anybody on here!  As for myself, I like, as far as possible, to pronounce things as closely to a "standard" voice as I can manage.  In fact, I have finally found a French teacher (one who has lived in different parts of France) who is going to help me with my pronunciation.  I have emphasised "different parts of France" because I do not want to have the local accent.  That also does not sound too good, IMHO[:P]

Cajal, I couldn't access your article about Mt Blanc.  I agree about the "idiots", including the one, Griveaux, that appears on your link! Mt Blanc is a difficult subject to be dogmatic about.  It is indeed beautiful but it is a victim of its own success like many other distinctive and beautiful places in the world.  When I did the tour de MB (over 10 years ago), the path was very eroded in many places.  And now with the generation of selfie takers, it is under greater threat than ever. If you manage to find that article again, I wouldn't mind having a read of it, thanks.

[quote user="alittlebitfrench"]Bit chilly out there Mint. Besides, OH is doing a grad job looking after the little ones. I prefer to play Fortnite. Or forumnite as I call it. LOL.[/quote] So Madame ALBF is to be applauded, looking after four children under, what, 10?  Plus having a job outside the home.  Chapeau, madame[:D] As for chilly, don't I always say you should move your family lock, stock and barrel to the Dordogne where the weather is said to be très doux[:P]

ALBF, you have too much time on your hands.  Why not take the baby out for a walk?[:)]

Sue, I can confirm that pomme is spot on on this one.  For example, mine is cnciliateurfiscal24@dgfip. Good luck!  Sounds like you need it!

Yes, pomme, that link does work, as you say.