Seems like the USA  is pulling out all the stops to show me the possibilities.....! In fact, the wind speeds given are lower than the actual, via the TV reports, which are giving them as around 50 - 60 miles per hour . Right now, there are only a few drops of rain in the wind, but they forecast this evening's rushhour as "mushy". Well, I hadn't planned on going anywhere today, so I guess I'll try to get some snapshots from INSIDE the house! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone    

Gourmandise de mr le marquis: Friday...fishy time.... :   Friday merits fish ....Firstly because the choice is larger, secondly because the fish is fresher, thirdly because the prices are lower and...that said, you should try to buy your fish on the Thursday - the products are present on the slabs, there are fewer people who want the ' debris '....  This 'debris consists in general of the left overs, skin, bones and so on from filleted fish . It is becoming rarer and rarer, but you can still find it - if you ask. You are probably wondering what good it is - well it's to make a ' fish fumet ' otherwise known as a fish stock   which is used to poach slowly your fish but in general is used to make the fish sauce to accompany the cooked fish, and beleive me - it makes a difference to the taste. It's also used to replace some of the water used in cooking a paella, or to reduce the amount of white wine used to cook fish and make sauces......try it.....you'll b

Due to a booking that had to be cancelled, the following is available in Brittany for the month of June - try mailing for the exact dates available (see on page): http://www.farmhousegites.com/     Welcome to our traditional stone Breton farmhouse which was built approximately 200 years ago, set in the tiny rural Hamlet of La Coudrais, surrounded by the relaxing countryside of Southern Brittany which borders the Loire Valley . The beautiful Gulf of Morbihan with its popular beaches are approx. 35 minutes drive away. Visit the inland port town of Redon (10-15 mins) set on the confluence of the river Villaine and the Nante/Brest canal, There are numerous shops, bars and restaurants, all within easy reach and a leisure centre with 3 indoor pools. RENNES is just 35 mins away, VANNES is 1 hour, ST MALO is only 75 mins. (for the rest, click the link)      http://www.farmhousegites.com/ (Don't forget to mention mr le Marquis and Paul Chapman when booking......!)

  http://www.about-squirrels.com/what-do-squirrels-eat.html Now, these little grey things are in multitudes here, and just about everybody knows they are/were responsible for the near extinction of its' European brother, the red squirrel .   http://www.about-squirrels.com/red-squirrels.html The only reason I interest myself in them (because they are not edible so far as I am aware although try this US Lady's point of view:  http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/01/22/why-eat-squirrel-really/ ) and this one from ENGLAND.....  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2086571/Anyone-grey-squirrel-pie-Victorian-delicacy-enjoys-revival-bid-save-red-cousins-extinction.html  ) is because there are many that come into the garden, and right now, in spring, I wondered what they ate! Amazing the range of stuff they pack into their little stomachs! Wonder if they ask for a doggy bag......? From my perod of living in Upper Bavaria, Germany , I had quite a few encounters with weasels - a