I had to call our hairdresser this morning to postpone our appointments and was told that we were just the same as everyone else.

Jim says he has hasn't had such a bad cold for years and I am having to take my antibiotics for longer than usual to clear up my chest infection.

We have friends all coughing as well.

Is this widespread in France?

I was hauled out of bed last night to help Jim put a calf back into the field at 11 o'clock last night.

It had crawled under the barbed wire in search of the fresh grass surrounding our swimming pool! We managed to find out where it had come in and block up the old drain where there was just enough space to crawl under the wire.

What strange things have you had to deal with lately?

It is sunny but cold here today, 22nd.

11.2 degrees, but still mists in the vallies.

I am recovering from a very heavy cold and have not felt like cooking.

Apart from eggs, bacon beans etc.can anyone recommend such a thing as a decent french ready meal to keep on hand in the freezer or larder?