This French Life

Ryanair closes check-in desks, leaving just online option

IF you are a regular user of Ryanair flights to France then from tomorrow (October 1) you will have to check-in online at least four hours before departure.

The airline will close all its check-in desks and instead people will have to use the online service and face a £5 each way fee.

Microsoft Security Essentials offers free PC protection

FOLLOWING a move to France many people end up using their computer a lot more for keeping in touch with friends and family, online banking and maybe running a small business.

With this increased use comes the risk of your machine being hit by a virus or similar, especially if you are not completely aware of the threats out there.

The recently launched Microsoft Security Essentials offers simple protection against viruses, trojans, rootkits, and spyware.

My first parasol mushroom of autumn

WELL I am pretty sure it is a parasol mushroom - but I spotted this whilst out this morning taking the dog for a walk.

Parasol mushrooms are fairly common around this corner of the Dordogne and are often fried in a little butter and garlic before being piled on top of some crusty bread.

Many farmers are also busy at the moment collecting chestnuts, and despite long lengths of netting being placed beneath the trees it is still a time-consuming task to collect them.

With crisp, fresh mornings giving way to warm, sunny afternoons there is a mix of autumn and summer in the air - click on the thumbnail to see the larger image.

LD Lines sign deal for Irish route

FERRY company LD Lines has signed an agreement that will see its Norman Voyager vessel operate under charter to Celtic Link Ferries.

The agreement will come into affect from September 29 with the sailing of the Portsmouth to Cherbourg service, as Celtic Link takes over the operation of the ship which has capacity for up to 800 passengers, 200 cars and up to 120 freight vehicles.

The vessel will start weekend services from October 2 between Rosslare and Cherbourg, with tickets able to be bought through the Celtic Link Ferries website.

Related article: LD Lines offer Rosslare to Cherbourg service

Look out for Google Sidewiki on your website

A NEW commenting tool people can add to their internet browser has been launched by Google, which could see messages being left on your website you have little control over.

Google Sidewiki is accessible through the search giant's toolbar and allows users to leave comments about individual web pages and sites that other site visitors can then read.

BA introduce fee to choose seats

IT is going to get a little more expensive to take a British Airways flight to France if you want to choose where you sit.

The airline has announced it will charge a fee for those people who want to sit together on a flight or for those with a preference for window, aisle or emergency exit seats.

Can So'Light wine offer up a healthy future?

WE do seem to be under constant pressure to live healthily, eat properly and drink sensibly so maybe a wine from the Languedoc-Roussillon can help out.

The So'Light wines, from Domaines Auriol, offers up a tipple with fewer calories and lower alcohol levels compared to traditional wines.

The wines have no residual sugar and are developed to reduce the alcohol levels to nine per cent, quite a step down from the usual 12 to 13 per cent you have in regular wines.

Auction fundraiser in Lorgues, the Var

AN auction fund raising event is being organised by Ark Pastoral Care to buy a wheelchair accessible vehicle for people near Lorgues, in the Var.

Rev. Peter Massey is organising the fund raising event which takes place on Monday, September 28 at Maison des Peres, Rue St. Honorat, Lorgues (map).

The event starts at midday with Communion led by Father Ken Letts, Archdeacon of France, followed by a buffet lunch, and it is hoped that British Consul Simon Taylor will open the auction in the afternoon.

News headlines from France

IT has been a busy week in France with the Clearstream trial, the closure of a makeshift camp for asylum seekers in Calais and problems for French animal charity the SPA.

French language crossword challenge

TAKE five minutes out of your day for a quick crossword challenge that will help boost your French vocabulary on travel and airlines.

Beverley Dinerstein has created another crossword for you to enjoy with the clues offered up in English, and the answers in French.

You can download a two page .pdf file offering up the quiz itself on page one, and the answers on page two.

Plus if you have a little more time on your hands then explore many more online French language crosswords created by Beverley.