In our day as they say, we received the key of the door when we were 21 - well, issue 21 of etcetera1 is here so we can now vote and add another key to our gradual success. At least that is what many of you say and thank you for that.

Hello again and welcome to the May issue and before I go further I wish Georgia Eddy who will be 11 years old (going 21 I suspect) on 11 May 2008

a very happy birthday Georgia Eddy

Georgia makes and bakes exceedingly good cakes and we will be delivering copies of etcetera1 to her dad, Tim Eddy of TB Piscines, (one of our advertisers tel 05 55 60 44 72) on her birthday) so that we can join the family for ice cream and cookies. They don’t know this yet so please tell them.

Also birthday wishes to M Lartigaut Commercial Director, Aeroport International de Limoges for 13 May. A couple of years or so older than Georgia., andI bet he is not having ice cream!! Our thanks to him for being such strong encouragement to etcetera .

To you all, thank you very much for your continued support and comments - we welcome them and where possible, act upon the suggestions you make. Remember too that if you have some news or events you want to mention, please tell us - we will do our best to broadcast it. This is the start of the Vide Grenier season so information about Vide Grenier’s in your area would be very welcome. Remember also that comes to you courtesy of the advertisers so please support them. They are all registered here and pay their very high cotisations (state payments) and tax here.

We are witnessing a high number of unregistered workers being summoned and in two cases sent to UK. We do not accept advertisements from business people who live here full time, who have UK companies but are not registered here. It is simply not fair on those who are registered. Get registered and enjoy the benefits of being registered. Sorry to keep plugging this.

This month sees another 44 page issue of etcetera1 because we get questions about the EU and this takes space. There is an EU website but it really is hard going. Most of our information is taken from the Euronews website. A bit of late news from the Office of President Sarkozy is that he intends to amalgamate the gendarmes, who are virtually the rural police and under Military orders, with the Police Nationale - a very sensible move it would seem. There is resistance and warnings from one Senator but M Sarkozy sorted out the Police when he was Minister of the interior, against M Chirac’s judgement, so he will not rest until he has completed this little move. Tax forms will shortly need completing and submitting - late submissions can be quite expensive so if you have doubts contact one of the specialists who advertise in etcetera.

Now is the time to get gardening - suprising how quick the grass grows so I hope you have a peaceful and relaxing time in your gardens - read etcetera when you stop for a short break and enjoy a glass of cool something.

‘Bout sums it up - I send you and yours as always my best wishes and take care