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EU countries face large cuts in their budgets and public health is an area of concern. Similar moves have already occured in Spain and foreign residents are not the only ones affected by them; however, if you have been granted health cover on a permanent basis you should be entitled to it. It is a worrying thing, though.....

Yes, it is catnip, or "nipitella". Widely used in Tuscan cuisine, particularly to condiment "funghi porcini". For those who have never tasted it, I would say it is a mixture of mint, oregano and thyme. I make a great summer salad using lentils, onion, garlic, chopped tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, plenty of parsley and nipitella, olive oil and a good glass of lemon juice (the secret is to use plenty of lemon juice). The taste will remind you of the Middle Eastern salad called "tabouleh", using cooked lentils instead of bulghur (couscous). You can make a variation to the above by using cooked chickpeas instead of lentils. Make it at least one hour ahead of serving to enhance flavours. Excellent with cold meats or chicken. Enjoy!

Hi, you may realize that it will be difficult to find a perfect match to your needs. I think that there will not be too many members in the area. May I suggest that you explore other alternatives, such as finding a neighbour or local friend who would be willing to drive your car to and from the airport and park it at your home? Alternatively, use public transport or taxi. Granted that this may cost you more than the airfare....

Flip, you keep trying to pick a fight and twisting words, but I will make a couple of clarifications for the benefit of other members. 1) My original answer is just a comment on the current situation and it is not adressed to you but to all the members. No participation, no forum. Or as I said: "No input, no interest". We can't complain if we do not actively participate. Where do you see me saying that you have no right to voice your opinion?The Russian proverb and your comments..... Oooops, again this was not meant as a personal thing. 2) I'm not bragging any rights. If you read what I said, I am only stating that I am not going to come to the rescue. I think that I have done my bit and the figures prove my willingness to contribute. It is up to other members to provide content and to keep this site going. 3) The original Northern Tuscany Group was created by me in the old forum and I was its sole administrator, and this was also the case for Gardening, and ½ûÂþÌìÌà Cooking (which I re-registered here as "Il Buon Gustaio Circle"). What happened was that I sent my request to Admin at the same time (according to Admin only seconds apart) that another member applied for it (by the way, I think that this was not very nice of him without asking me first as a matter of basic courtesy). I received my confirmation, but the other person also received his. For this reason, Admin decided to appoint the two  as joint Administrators for the group. Now he is gone and this has created a problem which I am trying to solve through "Bella Toscana". It was not my idea, another member asked about the group. So please, get your facts straight before venturing opinions. Your accusations are totally without foundation. I am entitled to voice my opinion, and so are you.        

Thank you, Angie. I could not express it better. And Flip... what can I say.... I do not have a Fan Club and I do not want one. Other members - and I would include you in that group - like to bunch together, particularly when it comes to attacking other members, the forum.... whichever may be the target. I do not think that we don't appreciate your sense of humour. Sometimes, I find it very funny and refreshing. Sometimes, you need a muzzle, but I will not be the one to provide it. No interest in becoming a moderator or anything in that line... I will keep on repeating that self-moderation is what is needed. Responsible members who would not willingly harm the Forum, or Community, or whatever... It is not compulsory to join or remain in this space. There are plenty of forums and communities to choose from, or you can always have your own. But do not try to destroy. Granted that the Community is not perfect and would need some revamping, but this has already been said. It is up to the Admin to listen (or up to us to leave when we had enough). Bury the hatchet and be positive.

Thank you, Getset, it has helped me to make sure that I did not need to complete the form as I am not a resident and I was not there on the 9th of October. Anyway, our lovely ½ûÂþÌìÌà neighbour will have taken care of everything on our behalf.... I hope. The filing on line, as suggested by Sprostoni, sounds like a great alternative.

Come on, Flip. Stop being so flippant. Don't twist my words and don't try to pick a fight with me, because I am not going to give you that pleasure. I am simply making an appeal to the other 3000+ members of this Community, or Forum, or whatever, to come up with some positive ideas and to implement them. I firmly believe that I have already done my bit, being the Top poster and starting 4 groups and all that... Time for others to do their bit. If members want this space to go ahead, they are going to have to contribute to it instead of moaning and criticizing.. I do not want to play the Saviour's role; everyone knows that the one who tries that, may end up crucified... or perhaps "torched". My life is full of interesting and positive things to do and enjoy and I do not need all this drama. Good night! 

There is an old Russian proverb that goes like this: "Don't blame the mirror if your face is lopsided" A Forum, Community, or whatever, is as good and interesting as its members are. No input, no interest. On the other hand, a nurturing Admin and lots of TLC are needed. If we can't combine all this, we do not have a Forum (or a Community, or whatever) but a boring monologue that nobody wants to read. Nothing is achieved by complaining, critizising or making fun of it. Affirmative action is needed.

The comune have lost one of their main sources of income: ICI. Building permits are not coming up and to top it all.... austerity measures. They urgently need some source of income to maintain liquidity.

Sono d'accordo: Molteplici problemi... molteplici motivi... Che peccato!