Following my visit to the doctor this morning, I launch this appeal for HELP - I'm shrinking! Although he is very pleased with my progress, I feel that this loss of weight, is a bit much. My shoes are too big for me, my shirts flap around my scrawny neck at the collar, the girlies all tell me that I've lost those oh so sexy buttocks, in other words, I'm heading fast for the perfect "dirty old man" image! Never mind, they say that I'm alive, so be happy! My Doctor even went so far as to say, this morning, that his advice to me was "not to stop breathing". I have to publish that, because I understand that my Doctor (in what spare time he has) goes surfing on the web, and occasionally drops in on this site too. I assure him, and you others, I do not intend to stop breathing, for the moment, having just found out that I'm going to cost the French health system a fortune in Taxis, to and from the hospital, every day for 3 weeks, from the 10th Apri...

(Georges Freche). As promised, here is a short account of the latest antics of the President of the area in which I live (Languedoc-Roussillon). He is currently awaiting trial for what amounts to racist remarks (disguised in a charge of "insulting behaviour") towards a section of the French society, called "the Harkis", who were/are proud of their attachment to France, and of the fact that they fought and died for France in the last war. Of course, everyone is allowed to their own opinions, but as a politician, in the limelight, it is to be expected that the President of a Department/Region does not go around informing members of minority groups that they are "sub-people" (German="Untermensch"), or if he does, that he expects to be taken to task for it. Not Mr. Freche, his only excuse (to date) is that he said what he said in a moment of aberration, and anyway it was taken out of context! I have heard the comments, in the context of which they w...

They just won't leave me alone, these people in white and green! Whilst I was due to start my "gymnastic" course (to teach me how to live with my by-passes) on the 24th April, they decided this was far too long a holiday period, and have brought the starting date forward to this Monday 3rd of April! On top of that, the first week (of 4 weeks) is spent "hospitalized", in other words, IN Hospital! They never told me that before, so now I've got to accept the guardian of my cat for another week, at least! Frankly, the way I feel at the moment, with the continual breast pains from my "barbed wire" rib installation, I doubt if I shall be much good for anything in the way of Gymnastics etc., although I have been trying myself, here at the ancestral home, with light exercises and little walks around the village. At least I don't tire as quickly, but the pain is still quite hefty. Maybe they have got some secret procedure to deblock the...

This Blogspot is not political in any form, and it is rare that political items find their way into its pages, but this week seems to have been an exception. Mind you, there has been enough subject matter, with the President of the Region being referred to the Criminal Courts for racism (amongst other things) the Prime Minister refusing to accept his mistakes towards his citizens, and through simple “false pride” refusing to adjust/correct the situation Well, it is amazing how often the simple fact of giving enough rope to any politician is sufficient to rid oneself of him and his ideas. I doubt not that Villepin will slowly disappear from the scene, now that his real personage has been exposed. Mr Chirac, who is on his last term anyway, isn’t really too bothered, other Socialists are happily putting their feet into the muck all over the country, and finally the Socialists will go, replaced by the others, who will-in their turn- make the same mistakes and go as well! The “follow-me-and...

This is a message received by myself. To understand why I'm publishing it go to the following article. [Chez mr.le Marquis du Galipot //--> Very well said. However I think you're a bit hard on all politicians; while being a bit cynical myself - and detesting Blair and his hangers-on - I don't think they are all monsters :-) Some, e.g. Tony Benn, are very honest, committed people. If they wanted money and power many could find it more easily elsewhere. But Villepin is obviously arrogant and out-of touch - decide first and consult later ! At least the French kids are seeing through it - and that it will lead to the American system which turns workers into virtual slaves with almost no rights and declining wages in real terms. You might be interested in Barbara Ehrenreich's blog entry on this (author of Nickel and Dimed, about her attempt to live in minimum wages): http://ehrenreich.blogs.com/barbaras_blog/ Mar. 20th postTed http://sybariter.blogspot.com --Posted by sy...

I recently received a message from a reader of this Blogspot, who had read my few comments about politicians and I take the liberty of reproducing this message here. Why? Because The readers opinion on certain UK politicians is so different from that which I hear all the time from UK friends. Not living in UK any more, and not having done so for over 40 years, I am not really in the position to give a good, honest opinion, except one based on what I see in newspapers, TV programmes etc., and of course, newspapers have to be sold at a profit, and TV programmes must attract viewers. Just the fact that we have arrived at the situation where many things may not be beleived or trusted is,I feel, an indication of the level of trust in politicians by their citizens. I still don't think that Tony Blair (or his wife, probably) know the price of a loaf of bread, or the rashers of streaky bacon which the British so love to put upon it!

Grand prix accidentF1-keyboard Originally uploaded by iwmpop . I don't even know if there is a GP this weekend, but I'm getting in early! Here is an F1 Accident!

1st ever photo Originally uploaded by iwmpop . As I said, indoor photos seemed to be OK (without flash)

From upstairs window. Originally uploaded by iwmpop . From new camera! Although not as powerful as the other, original camera, it's not bad for FREE!

Immenstadt - Uberblick Originally uploaded by iwmpop . General view from Immenstadt, looking towards Oberstdorf and the Austrian Tyrol. What is not generally known is that the Austrian Tyrol extends in 3 parts, the Austrian/German, the Austrian/Yugoslav,the Austrian/Italian parts of Tyrol!

Immenstadt - winter Originally uploaded by iwmpop . This photo of Immenstadt in winter gives an idea of the cold one got used to. Often down to -25C and more, the cold was a "dry" one, and was, strangely enough, quite pleasant. The photo shows the town centre and the ski-lift and slopes.The chimney pumping out steam is from the one and only factory, a factory belonging to "KUNERT" (ladies tights and nylons fabrication)very strongly controlled in what it pumped out into the nature surrounding it.

Immenstadt kirche Originally uploaded by iwmpop . The church tower taken from a typical side street, off the main square.

Immenstadt Marienplatz Originally uploaded by iwmpop . The main square from the other side, showing the typical "onion" tower of the Catholic church, and typical traditional buildings. Nearly all Catholic churches in S. Germany have these style towers.

Immenstadt ratshaus Originally uploaded by iwmpop . The central square in Immenstadt, with the town hall. On one occasion of a local fete, the square was given a fountain on a permanent basis, which was used subsequently by the local brewery on special occasions, a "pipe-line" being installed from the brewery to the fountain, and beer was free!

Immenstadt sesselbahn Originally uploaded by iwmpop . Although not the original, this photo resembles enormously the "house-lift" in front of our door! At the time, this chair-lift was the longest in Germany, and a good skier took at least 5-6 minutes to descend from the top to bottom. Certain parts of the slope were left "unprepared" in their natural state, for the adventuresome types.

Immenstadt sunset on Alpsee Originally uploaded by iwmpop . This is the "Alpsee" in Immenstadt. A mountain lake that collected most of it's water supply from melted or melting snow, and was therefore rarely swimmable in (even in summer) although the British Army used it for kayak and canoe training, and in August tourists could be seen braving the icy waters.If one knew (as we did) all the little hamlets, with their individual Beer Breweries dotted around this lake, one could (and did) have a ball!

Immenstadt und hausberg Originally uploaded by iwmpop . This is the first of a few photos taken from a series entitled "Places we lived in". Immenstadt-im-Allgau, Southern Germany saw our presence (Kate and myself) for some 10 years, where I practiced as a ski instructor for "foreign" (ie English or French speaking groups)and Kate practiced her profession as a Nurse in the local Hospital. In a beautiful area, we enjoyed our winters very much, and passed most of our summers in the South of France (from where there will also be some photos later on)

Tomorrow is the 20th March - Officially SPRING!! So jump up and down!Blogger's photo uploader doesn't want to participate, so Smilies will have to do!

Sitting at home yesterday, watching the pictures from Paris and other major French cities/towns, it became very obvious, very quickly, that this was simply another example of the pure ignorance of politicians, the higher placed, the more ignorant, towards the normal life of the normal citizen. Really what the Politician is saying, in his helpless way, is that he has no idea what the normal citizen thinks, how he lives, what he does, and - even worse - he is effectively saying that he doesn't give a toss either! So long as the little "X" is marked on the ballot paper, in the right box, what politician cares? From time to time, every politician thinks to himself - I haven't been heard from, in the press or TV, for a while, "Let's pass a law!"- and ideas will be searched for! This particular law would appear to be as good a stitching up of the voting public (and those who haven't reached that age yet) as has ever been thought of, with the possible excep...

This Sunday is Malaysia day! I hadn't forgotten, but I'm having the weekend off! If they played cricket in Malaysia, they certainly wouldn't programm it for the monsoon season, but cars going round in circles can dodge the raindrops! Sorry about your Sunday reading material, although I'm convinced that some of you can't read anyway, after the relaxation of the Sunday table and winecellar! I'm gearing myself up for next week, and my start to assault the Health and Hospital systems EVERYWHERE!! I will be honest, and say what I found good, as well as that which I found bad, and I plan to start off with the people in general, who work in the systems. AMONGST OTHERS!!!!

R-JNewman caravan resized! Originally uploaded by iwmpop . For sale 1000 euros only, all accessories included. Sheer luxury!! contact RJNEWMAN578@aol.com OR iwmpop@gmail.com

Mr le Marquis after Hospitalization Originally uploaded by iwmpop . Back home after the by-pass caper! Maybe dressed up in the cold, you don't see the loss of 10 kilos (circa 20lbs). Gone (for the moment is the flamboyant, aristocratic air, society has held me in, but I'll break out again, somewhere, just like "bird-flu"!

Is the Red Baron back? Chippy and Tinkerbelle will be glued to the TV, if they haven't flown out in the family jet! Bahrein is, I understand, quite flat, very sandy, and is known for public floggings, beheadings, no alcohol (unless you buy the hotel) and other such civilised matters. Even Schumi is capable of doing things differently in the heat of the day: I found the following photo illustrating Bahrein sporting events, just 20 years ago, and probably the sporting event still preferred by the average non-millionaire Bahrein citizen: AND I NEARLY FORGOT ABOUT ALL THIS!!

Just a little spot to get back in the routine! I discovered this little piece of paper in one of my many bags on returning from Hospital, and I publish the facts to show everybody that (if we went ONLY on the writted word) hospital food MUST be good! At lunchtime, on the 26 February 2006, in the Cardiac/Thoracic surgical ward of the Hospital at Nimes, the following menu was served to all Diabetic/cardiac patients: Salade de Tomates - Pintade* rotie - Tagliatelles in Basilic sauce - fenchel a la maison - Camembert - Kiwi - Cafe. (* pintade is a poultry bird, a sort of mixture between turkey and guinea-hen, very popular in France) No wine was served, of course, no aperos either, but can anybody tell me WHY the above menu didn't taste of anything? This is one of the questions which make Hospitals "magical, mystery places"!

Vauvert,France. 11 March 2006 “Thank You letter!” Hello to you all! Being relatively back in charge of my faculties, albeit a little bit painfully so, I thought the time had come for a sort of “thank you” letter to all of you who were so supportive during the difficult times over the last 2 months, from Holland to USA and from UK to Germany, even one from Australia! There were quite a few from France as well, but I shall have to write to them in French, otherwise they may think I’m insulting them! I will be dealing with “in-detail” matters of the operation, and the surrounding circumstances in a series of articles on blogger, as usual, and this letter is only meant to say thank you to you all. It was very important to hear from you all, with your support, humorous accounts of local events, and encouragement. Even if it was very difficult at the time, they were all appreciated, and they all helped to “mount the moral and physical courag...