Hello and welcome to the combined July/August issue of etcetera which comes to you from our new home in the Charente. We have moved from a renovated farm house to a brand new bungalow ‘with a first floor’ And very nice it is too. Thanks to France Telecom and Monique we had a seamless change in telecoms and internet services. Evelyn, our postmistress at Javerdat who has processed so many parcels and mailings for us, - (now to be a problem for Rosalyn at THEILRABIER) - ensured an effortless change in postal services, EDF ‘no problem M,sieur’ and Michel from the Maire at Javerdat sorted the water meter reading. Man & Van moved us (we had little to move) but we giggled all day at his Satnav and although they are not allowed to advertise, Notaire Delarochette at St Junien transferred the title deeds of the house swiftly and Veterinary Surgeon Fougeras of Oradour sur Glane gave the cats the all clear. Thanks to our GP’s, Dr Cros at St Junien & Dr Duchoquet at Oradour Sur Glane and St Junien Hospital for sorting out my two emergency admissions.

Moving was not the traumatic experience we were expecting. We had been at Peyrahout for 5 years, enjoyed the most wonderful of neighbours and for the first three years restored a poor quality farm house, sold to us under somewhat false pretences, by an English agent, no longer in the business. But for the last two years we enjoyed a nice home. I am sure many of you in etceteraland had the same sort of experiences - please let us know.

After moving, we have discovered a mobile fish & chip van at Amber Interiors in Ruffec 20 Kms from our new home. I can say that friar tuck, I mean frier John, cooks them to perfection - a lot to do with using the right oil, Susanne, the boss, tells me. Pies mushy peas etc, are available. We have another mobile fish & frites advertising in this issue - they trade in the Le Dorat region - superb quality too.

Talking of clients, we are delighted to say that Sandy Griffiths is much better following her treatment for Hodgkinsons disease and also very delighted that Jane Nicholson of The Exchange in Rochechouart had her final operation (hopefully) for the removal of a cancerous growth and seems to be doing very nicely; well, she is now directing the nurses at Limoges CHU. Jane has continued to submit information to etcetera since her initial diagnosis in October 2007 - Thank you Jane and bon continuation.

Andrew Farrow, who was to take part in the Iron man competition with sponsorship funds from his efforts going to a Cancer charity, had a serious accident on 14th June resulting in several broken bones and a head trauma which required intensive care. Andrew a great worker for Cancer related Charities was practicing for Iron man at the time. Get well soon Andrew. Might be useful to send him a donation anyway - please see the Civray Micro ad for his details - . I know he will place all monies received to Charity. Go on send him a 5 or 10 euro note. Or more. He is certainly unable to enter competitions for a while.

We asked our legal eagle Lindsey Queriaud of CAST to look into employment issues for us - we know it is a minefield, but ,as usual, Lindsey has produced some very important information for you. Included this month is a pull away supplement detailing most of our regular clients and some useful numbers - you may find this useful.

‘Bout sums it up and as there is no room for any more I send my very best wishes to you and yours and if you are travelling this summer, have a good holiday and take care.