Here we go – “Mr le Marquis is back on-line,together with all his pages,sites,blogs etc. (There are new photos on “photos from iwmpop”, and on “vauvertvillage” – there are new articles on “mr le Marquis”,and in case you’ve forgotten, here is the link address:) http://www.webspawner.com/users/mrlemarquis/index.html Let’s warm up with some: "Bits and Bobs over the festive period!" I’ve heard so much this Christmas about the planet “warming up”. Could it possibly be arranged from tomorrow, please! ********************************************************************** Going to church is often the last thing a lot of people do at the end of their existence, but it all took on a new meaning today, in the area of the “Aines” in N. France, when the church was full of people who had come to listen to a Croatian Choir singing carols. The gas/oil heating was defective, and threw out such high carbon-monoxide fumes, that all (the choir included) were taken ill. From the entire assemble...

happy_new_year-girlies Originally uploaded by iwmpop . Tired from Christmas? Relax with this lot for New Year, and you could be a lot MORE tired for "Happy New Year 2006".

A true story from a small French village. Just the other day I was going through some of the many older documents and papers that I seem to collect like millionaires collect bank notes,and I stumbled across some photos, so faded and colourless that I couldn’t even scan them, and a couple of bits of paper, which recalled these events to my mind. The story is an example of yesterday, today and probably tomorrow. Make what you will of it, here it is. It was spring, roughly 1985, and the weather was,as usual, splendid. We had descended from Bavaria, where we lived, for our customary 2 weeks in the South of France (at the time our occupations allowed us to work solidly many hours over a 2 week period, and have the other 2 weeks a month in our little niche in France). The extreme differences in everything, from life style and weather to language and friends, was always interesting, and we profited enormously from these periods. As usual, we had installed ourselves at one of our favourite “Ba...

The price of living I bet you didn’t know you could do so many things with a supermarket check-out and paid list. I suppose they are the same, at least within different countries of Europe, of course USA may not be the same, but who cares! In Europe, the law apparently says that we all have to know various things about shopping prices, and the details are given on this receipt! Some of them are very interesting, some are useful, others useless, some can be held as proof of one’s whereabouts in case of an alias being needed (the receipt gives time and date on it – so if you have your receipt from a supermarket 150 miles away from the murder place, at the murder time and date, the chances are that the police MAY pay more attention to your alibi!) So there we have the first two – time and date. The name of the place shouldn’t be forgotten either, and even the name of the actual owner (if it differs from the trade name for example). The address and, at the bottom, normally the telephone nu...

My last days in 2005. When I woke up on the 24th December, I had no idea I was in for such a tiring day. Tiring and trying, but I suppose there were millions world-wide who had the same experiences! Switching on, at breakfast time, just for a few headlines, I was subsequently invited to the German Bundespraesident’s house, where he wished me “Froehe Weihnachten” and “Guetes Neues Jahr”, to which I responded likewise. From there, I shot over to the “Semper oper” in Dresden, where I had been invited for a few Christmassy songs. From there, whilst my meal for Christmas Eve slowly cooked in the oven (Black and White sausages – “Blut und Weiss-wurst” – with little noisettes of baked apple and wedges of roasted potatoes, preceded by a simple Shrimp cocktail -a traditional menu for us.) I shot up to the North Pole, and got dressed up for my later labours (according to the kids in the street, I’m HIM!!). Found out that Rudolph had been a naughty boy, again, and was once more a “daddy”. I’ve to...

Levoyageur Administrative: This is a site which helps a lot in everything. Health, customs, laws, help in and regulations (customs etc) of all the countries you may go to. Even the TV of ALL countries is accessible! Mr le marquis uses the site regularly - have a look in - you won't regret it - it is in French, but even Chippie will understand this one!

Levoyageur Administrative: This is a site which helps a lot in everything. Health, customs, laws, help in and regulations (customs etc) of all the countries you may go to. Even the TV of ALL countries is accessible! Mr le marquis uses the site regularly - have a look in - you won't regret it - it is in French, but even Chippie will understand this one!

Ian-iwmpop noel 05 Originally uploaded by iwmpop . Mr le Marquis announces today, the 19th Dec 2005, that the "Marquis du Galipot" enterprises will be closing down from today on, for the end of the year holiday period,apart from necessary administrative posts/updatings of "Blogger"etc.You all have other things to do, and I wish you all a good and enjoyable holiday period. The sites are, of course, still available, use them to show how clever you are at your friends house! Just tap "mr le Marquis" or "vauvertvillage" on the search engine of your friend's PC , et VOILA! Mr le Marquis should be back around the 3/4th January 2006 - "Que sera, sera!

Ian-Jan and Granite close up Noel 05 Originally uploaded by iwmpop . or is it Having been told off,sternly, she has finally allowed herself to be pictured correctly! (Taken with the automatic timer, incidentally!) Still forgot to put my fairy lights on and light the candle, but maybe pussy and fairy lights would have been too much together!! Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year from Mr le Marquis and Granite de l'Oasis!

Ian-Jan + granite ist try Originally uploaded by iwmpop . She didn't fancy being photographed, and preferred my glasses, to read the Times, I suppose. Very intelligent little pussy! These photos are to announce the closure of my sites and blogs over the "festive period". I'm sure you're all happy about that! Back again around the 3/4th January 2006.

A Christmas story for 2005 (Part III and last) (Any similarities with persons living or dead are intentional) Eff had saved the day – again! That famous remedy of a cup of tea, had mounted the confidence of our Frenchman, and re-mounted the spirits of Ronald James! Ron, actually, was quite cheerful, since he had quickly found out that “frenchie” spoke quite passable English, which was a long way in advance of that which passed for French with our Ron! As Ron always told everybody, he found the courses of no use, because it only taught him how to ask the way to the Post Office, and now he knew where the bloody post office was, he saw no point in torturing himself daily, with the cassettes and videos that Eff always tucked into his Christmas Stocking. “I bet there’s another one there this year,” said Ron to himself,”although I keep telling her that ink cartridges would be much more useful!” Of course, Eff thought that all the time spent in the study, closed in, was to advance ...

Xmas-Santas bier-beer-biere. Originally uploaded by iwmpop . It's so cold at the North Pole that I've got to keep my beer UNDER the reindeers, and I've noticed that there are loads of empty bottles around that area, and my reindeers are hiccuping! If I'm a bit late on the 24th, don't worry, I'm avoiding the speed traps!

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AChristmas Story for 2005 (Part II of III) (go to part I first!!) “Jeez….!” muttered Ron, and fell back, exhausted into his armchair. (I don’t know if you have all noticed, but Ron spends a lot of time being exhausted in his armchair) This particular time, he had every reason to be in such a state. Decorating was done – finished – finally! The traditional errors had happened, sticky tape that didn’t stick (because it was the last of those rolls Ron had pinched before retiring) things detaching themselves regularly, like when Ron did the wallpapering, Christmas trees that firstly wouldn’t stand up straight and when they did, the needles were already falling off – 2 weeks before Christmas (bald trees were in fashion). Eff was hopping about in the background, looking all the world like a good fairy, covered from head to foot with the tree decorations, waiting for “her” Ron to get the thing to stand up straight. “Quite like bath night, Eff,” joked Ron,”I can’t get it to stand up right eith...

Birdies-definately for Chippie. Originally uploaded by iwmpop . Actually, the photos which follow are really only the "pause" in between "A Christmas Story Parts I and II" (Just so you don't get bored!!!) Don't know the name of the burdies, nor if you can roast or quick-fry them!

Granite style Originally uploaded by iwmpop . Anybody out there who recognizes this face?

Planete Verte Originally uploaded by iwmpop . The GREEN Planet? Somebody got it wrong, somewhere! Actually, this is about the height of temperatures in Ron and Effs place at the moment!

Vauvert-Pietons ou pigeons Originally uploaded by iwmpop . Vauvert - somebody is the comedien - The word should be pietons, but the've turned us into pi(d)geons!

A Christmas Story for 2005-in II parts) (Noel at Ron and Effs place) (Part I – Preparations) (All resemblances to living or dead are purely required and wished) ************************** Ron slammed the freezer door shut, breathed a sigh of relief, and looked around to see what else he could get wrong! Eff has been watching, and, in turn, breathed a sigh of exasperation. Once again, our hero had put all the fresh vegetables, fruits etc into the freezer, and the frozen items into the fridge. Happened every year, “senior moments” she called them, and had given up saying anything. She would arrange everything again, when Ron was in “his” cellar. Maybe I should introduce our jolly Christmas couple. Ron is, normally, a calm, easy going type of chap, who passes most of his time in front of the PC, answering unsolicited and unwanted letters from insane people or in his carpenters workshop, equipped with the most up to date implements, and the rest of his time is taken up by being consoled by...

Good news for you people out there. As a result of recently received news, there WILL be a "Christmas Story" this year after all. This year, it's not our French Familly (or at least not all of them) but an ENGLISH family, who make the decision to invite a Frenchman to their home over Christmas!!! Coming next week, sometime, BOOK YOUR SEATS now, in front of the PC screen. The things that happen to our English people, when presented with the antics of a Frenchman in front of the sacred English things, like cricket/Christmas Carol Services/plum pudding the Queen's speech etc..... etc......... !!!!!