June 19, 2007 at 9:40 pm · Filed under France, Snippits
March 6, 2007 at 12:53 pm · Filed under France, Snippits
In my alerts today, I got two reports on the King of France, living in Bhopal, India. (Two reports…it must be true!) My curiosity was well and truly piqued!
Why should this story warm the cockles of my heart? I really don’t know, but I think it’s a great idea. Wouldn’t we love it to be true!?
The Bourbon King of France, with an Indian passport…wow! Balthazar Napolean de Bourbon….I bet he got a ribbing at school! Apparantly, he was told from an early age of his regal, French heritage and has named all of his children with French names. Although he is of modest means, his ancestors in Bhopal were quite wealthy and influential. Balthazar is being brought to France by Prince Michael of Greece, who has published the book exposing all this, Le Rajah de Bourbon. He is to have DNA tests to see if any real proof can be found.
I find it quite ironic that India was the jewel in Britains crown and all that time was possibly harbouring the French royal family.
I also like the way that ‘things French’ has a world-wide reaching influence. I often get French connections from the most obscure and unexpected places, Bhopal being a good example.
It reminds me of the rumour in our family, that we are connected somewhere along the line to King Canute. I think our only connection is insanity!
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February 25, 2007 at 9:21 pm · Filed under Aquitaine, Lot et Garonne, Snippits
I keep reading in the news about the Asian killer hornets, Vespa velutina, that are devastating the bee population of Aquitaine.
The hornets escaped from a consignment of Chinese pottery in 2004 and have been spreading North, enjoying the warm climate. Fears are that the hornets will eventually make their way up through France to England.
Although they can give a nasty sting, it is their ability to completely devastate the native bee population, that is the major concern. They ransack the bee hive, devouring the bees and feeding the larvae to their own.
Their football shaped hives are cropping up all over the forests of Aquitaine and are beginning to worry the bee-keepers of France, who’s honey production is already being challenged by pesticides and the long, hot weather.
At this stage, I am not sure what is being done about this. Do they need to be reported if you see them? Is there a programme of irradication in force? Is it advisable to try to tackle one of their hives yourself? Are they swottable? I must admit, I think I would avoid them at all cost.
Here is a little information about hornets from Wikipedia. I was right, they’re not to be messed with!
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February 10, 2007 at 10:40 pm · Filed under Aquitaine
December 9, 2006 at 12:23 pm · Filed under Family life in France, France, French Language, Snippits
Check this out!
I never knew it would be so straight forward and simple!
And it is so true…never enter a boulangerie, doctors office, the Mairie, without a ‘Bonjour, tout le monde’.
Admittedly, it doesn’t come easily for us stuffy Brits. Our communities are now so large and ill-defined that we don’t say ‘hello’ to anyone unless we know them personally. We never look people in the eye and live our daily lives, almost oblivious to the rest of society…or is that just me?!
So, bite the bullet, pretend that you know everyone, if that helps and start ‘Bonjouring’……politesse demands it!
And as you leave, don’t forget the ‘Bonjournee’…such a nice bunch, these French!
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November 23, 2006 at 6:11 pm · Filed under Aquitaine
