Hi Frannikin, that's a lovely offer, thank you. Our problem at the moment is what to do with DD and baby from next March to August as creche places are really only available from September each year. The other issue we have is that I work from home in a reasonably small 2 bed appt, so space/noise is difficult too, still I have decided not to worry about it now until at least December!!

I hope everyone else is enjoying the long weekend. We took DD to a farm on Friday where I renewed my bad-mummy-hat application - DD was patting a kid (in goat field) but I wasn't standing close enough to catch her when she stumbled.... so she grabbed at the kid to steady herself, which promptly headbutted her, oops . No injuries or tears (small kid=no horns yet, phew) just a bit of shock on all sides, and DD was up chasing kids again quickly.

Steaknife, I'm an hour down the motorway from you. Maybe moving a wee bit closer in the future (Manosque).
DS1 is 4, DS2 is 4 wks (hence brief one-handed typing).
What's Gap like? Have only ever driven through en route to ski places.

pebblebeach I have a childcare solution for you - hire me as your nanny!

Hi Steaknife, I hope you are settling into the new appartment, it must be lovely after living with the ILs for so many months! I am not sure I could cope with that, I think you might deserve a medal .

How funny your DS likes picking daisies Briochedoree, my DD has just "discovered" them... walking through the garden to get to our appt block door takes a lot long now, alhough less time when they have just cut the grass .

You know the birds are so noisy here that I have to the shut the windows when on conference calls because colleagues always ask who's in a field.... not everyone realises I work from home in France and I feel bad making them jealous when they are calling from their industrial estate offices in N.England, Germany and Houston!

The driving around after school hours for SN appt sounds like a bit of a bore, not to mention tiring - I hope they are going well. I was moaning the other day about how "difficult" everything seemed to be here (I was trying to sort out childcare for next school year... during and after mat leave) but I think I am being overly hormonal and negative - I am sure it's not "easy" in UK either.

Gordon Brown's the prime minister, no? really . Right it's well past my bed time now....

Hi Steaknife.
How are you settling in? France can be a bit daunting right at the beginning, I found. Hope that you like it so far. Do you get nice scenery where you are?
Pebblebeach, it is indeed a small virtual world. Also, it is another beautiful day here. The sun is shining through all the new growth in the forest. DS and I went out picking daisies this morning. He is now asleep in his brand new "big boy" bed he got at the weekend, and I'm having a cup of tea and listening to the birds sing. Aah. Sometimes this life of leisure ain't so bad. Shame I have to drive DD into Paris tonight for yet another therapy session! The only downside to the French Special Needs system - you can't get ANY of it done in school and end up constantly driving your kids to appointments. Ah well, still beats living in the UK at the moment. I still do a double take every time I realise that Gordon Brown is currently Prime Minister.
Hope you're all enjoying the run of short weeks / long weekends!

Afternoon all - just found this thread.

I am in Gap in the Hautes Alpes, with DH (French) and DD of 8 months. We moved here 5 months ago from Gran Canaria (long story) and have just been in our own apartment for a month after staying with the French-in-laws.

I'm not sure anyone else is in my neck of the woods but it is nice to hear about others over here.

Hi brioche... it's a small "virtual" world then
Would be lovely to catch up, hopefully in autumn if not before... I so cannot wait for mat leave to kick in.
Right I really should be working and not surfing mn..... I am so pleased we finally have the beautiful weather back again.

Yes, Pebblebeach, we have met. (Did wonder, I must admit...thought there couldn't be that many mums in Le V. I didn't know, but then I have been a bit "off the radar" since then as I mainly hang out with other mums from my residence and haven't really bothered with all the baby groups and stuff). Congratulations on the pregnancy!
Look forward to meeting up some time soon and seeing your little girl who was just a baby when I last saw her!
Teafortwo, look forward to receiving your CAT.

Evening all,
Hi briochedoree you know, I think we've met already at baby group last year.... you gave me some very lovely (and some noisy) toys ?!? Is my guess right? Hope all is good with you... I'm v. well - working full time, but not for too much longer as my mat leave starts in August, yeah! Baby due in mid-Sept.
We'll all have to met in the autumn, I can't wait to be able to do fun stuff during the week again and I am sure DD will need plenty to entertain her once she isn't go to creche full-time.
Catch you later, byeee

BriocheDoree - I will CAT you!