Latest news

PARIS OLYMPICS

All tickets will be sold via the paris2024.org website with sign-ups beginning in December this year. Over 13 million tickets will be available for sale, almost half the tickets on sale will be sold for €50 or less, in a bid to make it more accessible to the masses.

TICK REMOVAL ADVICE

Thank you to Julie from Châteauponsac who contacted us following last month’s piece on ticks. Julie (an animal lover and therefore an expert tick remover!) pointed out that the use of tweezers can cause the tick to disgorge bacteria into the host as well as running a high risk of leaving the head and or legs in, which can cause infection. Instead, ticks should always be twisted until you feel the slight 'click' and they release. This ensures every part of the tick is removed. Ideally you should use a tick hook or 'crochet' available from any vet. They usually come in 2 sizes and they cover pretty much all sizes of tick that you're likely to come across. There are some tiny ticks (typically from hedgehogs in Julie’s experience, her reward for trying to nurse a very cold and poorly young hedgehog!) and even the small hook might not be small enough. In which case you may have to resort to tweezers but you should grip as lightly as possible and definitely still twist. Julie recommends once it’s removed is to put them whole in your pre-prepared 'tick pot'. This is an old jam jar or similar, with a couple of cms depth of alcohol or acetone. It ensures a quick death without all the squishing and risk of spreading bacteria around.

LIMOGES - GATWICK FLIGHTS

The low cost airline EasyJet will start operating flights between Gatwick and Limoges from 1 May this year. The route is scheduled to fly 3 times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) and will operate up until 27 October.

PARCEL DELIVERY SCAMS

There is a growing amount of parcel delivery scams circulating recently so please be very cautious if you receive a text or email notification advising you there is a problem with your parvel and you have to pay a release fee. The amounts are often low, but people will find more money has been debited from their account. These scams are becoming more popular with scammers as online shopping has increased since the Covid pandemic, people have an increased chance of waiting for some sort of delivery. If you receive a text saying that your parcel is at a distribution centre and asking you to follow a link, don’t follow the link until you are completely sure it’s a legitimate message. Ask a friend or neighbour to check if you are unsure, or talk to your local mairie.