While we never forget the dead neither do we ever forget those who survive, especially those who return to cope with devastating injuries - mental or physical.  Their lives are changed forever particularly the men and women currently fighting courageously in Afghanistan. They will need the help of the Legion to support them as they strive to find a different type of courage to forge new lives, so different from the ones they expected to live.

With you continued support we will always remember the human sacrifice so many have made, and are still making.

Thank you

You may be interested to know that recycling seems to be almost as much part of life in France as it has become here. I have just spent 10 days in France cycling on the Ile d'Oleron and my husband had to be patient with me dashing off the moment I saw a refuse bin or sign!

In urban areas there are large wheeled bins at suitable places along the roads into which residents can put their domestic rubbish in a black plastic bag. These bins have a big sign on them saying it is forbidden to put in any sort of vegetable matter. In areas such as car parks there are recycling bins for paper and glass.

In addition to the above in urban and rural areas there are weekly roadside collections of domestic rubbish in black bags and recyclables (tetra packs, glass, and paper) in separate see - through plastic bags. I don't know if these bags which all looked identical, are supplied by the local councils and I wonder if they are recycled. There were no household bins on the road side.

Electricity Red Days are once a week when the cost of supply to homes is increased so that factories can benefit and people learn to use less. So one assumes Red Days are not wash days!

I didn't spot any landfill sites but then France has much more space than us but unlike us I did notice a total lack of litter/fly tipping along country roads and in towns.

It would be nice to hear from anyone who has interesting recycling stories from their travels.

Are you thinking about who might come for Christmas this year? Perhaps you would like to make it a bit different. Some of the adults from overseas who are currently studying at UK universities would love to spend a couple of days in a real home, rather than on a deserted campus. It is interesting to share Christmas with people for whom it is all quite new (many international students are from China, for example). HOST has been linking students with hospitable volunteers for 22 years, at Christmas and also one-off weekends throughout the year. HOST is a registered charity backed by the Foreign Office and many universities. It is not necessary for hosts to live near a university, as students are prepared to travel far for this unique experience!