ski resort

Personally ,I like going to Autrans to ski.
This resort is near Grenoble and you can take the bus to go there (4.70€ a single ticket). The drive last only one hour.

I suggest you to learn nordic skiing. Autrans have a 160 kms of ski trails in some beautiful landscape.
Nordic skiing is less dangerous than alpine skiing and easier to learn.
At Autrans, you can make dog sledging or hike on snowshoes, as well.

If you want to stay a few days, I suggest you to book a bed in a chalet refuges. It is better to feel the mountain atmosphere !

Prices :
chalet refuge :    36€ by day in half board
Nordic skiing pass : 27€ for 4 days
material hiring : 40€ for 4 days

greenhouse gas emissions decrease in UK

The greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 8.7% in the UK in 2009.

All areas are concerned by the decrease :
- energy supply (11%)
- businesses (11.8%)
- industrial processes (36.5%)
- transport (4.2%)
- homes (5.8%)

In previous year, the decrease was only 2% for the CO2 and greenhouse gases, not for home emission ( increase of 3%).
 
Several reasons explain this result
- The economical recession
- the increase of the nuclear energy use

The total emission of the 6 greenhouse gases, defined by the Kioto protocol were about 566.3m tonnes in 2009, whereas it reached 620.5m the previous year.

(article of The Guardian)

This decrease is mainly due to the decrease of the industrial activity, in Europe. Industrial activity is now "exported" to China or India.
Another interesting points :
- Crisis makes people more "green"
- UK increases the use of nuclear power plants, but some of them should be shutdown during next years.

Comment on the future of English

What about the article The future of English ?


The English will probably not be the official tongues in the most of countries.
Local tongues will be preserved. So, the English will be often speak as an second language, but occasionally.


I wonder if I really need speaking a "good" English with a Chinese (by example), to be understood.  In fact, I just need to know a few words and expressions.
The spread of English could not increase a lot in the Future.

Except if some Indian teacher make the humankind to speak English ...

Carmenne's holiday

Dear Carmenne,

In response to your request, I suggest you a trip in Finland.
The Winter season is wonderful in this country.

To begin, you can visit Helsinki, the capital of the Finland, during two days.
Then you will go to Rovaniemi, the main Lapland city to discover some beautiful landscapes.
After meeting Santa Claus (he lives there), you will ride in a reindeer farms.
In the wild nature, you will be initiated to the Ice fishing.
Arktikum museum will explain you the way the north folks live and their history.
You will go on your trip to the Baltic seashore and will join Kemi.
In this nicely small town, you will visit the enchanting snowing castle, and you could spend the night in the snowing hotel.
On board of the Sampo Icebreaker, you will have an impressive experience : float among the ice !

At last, I propose you to finish your journey at Oulu : Visit the town and its museeum, and make shopping in its market hall.

In every hotel, sauna is available and gives you the opportunity to be initiated at this finnish tradition. 

Have a good journey !

Schedule and Prices

Flights (FINNAIR)                                                               590.66 €
AY880 from Paris to Helsinski at 22/01/2011
   > departure 12.20
   > arrival 16.15
AY875 from Helsinski to Paris at 5/02/2011
   > departure 12.15
   > arrival 14:20

Cumulus Kaisaniemi Hotel (Helsinki)                                         175€
      the 22,23,24 january

Audio city tour                                                                           30 €

Train Helsinki-Rovaniemi                                                           80 €
     the 25/01 at 10:02 (arrival at 19:48)

hotel Aakenus    (Rovaniemi)                                                    540 €
      the 25,26,27,28,29 january
 
Santa Claus (Artic Circle)                                                          24 €                    

Reindeers Farm                                                                      178 €

Artikuum                                                                                   24 €

Ice fishing safary                                                                     286 €

Train Rovaniemi - Kemi                                                            60 €
    the 30/01 at 10:05 (arrival at 11:22)

Snow Castle and Snow Hotel                                                   280 €
    
Sampo Ice breaker                                                                  754 €


Train Kemi-Oulu                                                                      40 €
       the 31/01 at 19:38 (arrival at 20:58)

Scandic Oulu Hotel                                                                 572 €
       the 31/01, 1,2,3/02

Trip around Oulu                                                                     60 €

Museum at Oulu                                                                       6 €

Train Oulu-Helsinki                                                               154 €
      the 4/02 at 11:35 (Arrival at 17:30)

Cumulus Kaisaniemi Hotel  (Helsinki)                                      99 €
    the 4/02

TOTAL                                                                             4062.66 €