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"Labrit", the Basque shepperd dog is me, Joy. He is going to get another postcard from the "Pottokas" family, the Basque horses (who happen to be Labrit's friends... and mine). I thought that Jude would be happier to get cards from animals instead of someone he does not know. And the sealions from San Francisco will be writing to him in a couple of weeks, when I get there. I also hope to get a card of a grizzli bear in the USA.... Glad to hear that all this makes Jude happy.

I am afraid that very little can be done. This type of exodus from the villages has been happening not only in Italy but throughout Europe. You will find plenty of abandoned villages simply because people had to migrate in order to make a living. Rural life may be a very romantic ideal; however, it is not easy to make a decent living in the country. People do not want to live and work in the same manner that their ancestors did. Younger generations are more educated and informed and they want to improve their lot. For most of them, village life is not on. Supporting local shops and producers will always help the local economy and, in our case, we consistently endeavour to do so. This is easier in the larger towns and particularly those which have a good influx of tourists and visitors. I have seen villages which are practically empty throughout the year with the exception of the holidays, when friends and relatives come to spend some time. Not everyone has the money or the energy needed to restore and maintain babo's old home. The number of foreigners buying these properties, particularly in the current economy, is limited and also... are they going to remain there for ever? Many people buy an old ruin, restore it, have great dreams about how nice would be to live close to nature and think that the honeymoon is going to last for ever... My advice to these people would be to seriously think about what will happen to them when they get old and need to be closer to a larger town. What will happen when they will be unable to drive. How often are family and friends going to come for a visit once the initial excitement about their move is gone. It is not in my nature to be pesimistic; however, I think we all need to be very pragmatic about  decisions which affect our future. But just as you say, it is most important to support the local economy. 

There are problems everywhere, there were problems everywhere, the only difference is that nowadays we know about those problems and we have information at our fingertips. Overall and in spite of all the bad news, I think that we are better off than in the old times. And I may be a foolish optimist, but I do believe that things will improve in the future. Could you imagine us having this exchange of ideas even some 30 years ago? So it may not be all doom and gloom. Cheer up!

Well, we should not worry too much if the Mayan prophecy is true and the world will come to an end on the 21st of December 2012. Nothing is going to matter too much.

Come on, Penny, go hiking up the mountain. I second Fillide's suggestion. Take a photo.... if you can find the tree....

Bombolas are very expensive and, as Sebastiano says, they always run out at the most inconvenient time. Don't even think.... make the switch. I would not try to advise you regarding heating. We have it connected to mains gas and we find it reasonable for ½ûÂþÌìÌà standards. Before being connected to mains it was expensive and a nightmare.

Further to my previous post, Malus sikkimensis is the Chinese Wild Apple. Here is some more information:

Thank you, Andiamo. They have done a combined Tessera, which is an excellent idea. I have to carry two cards with me..... Another good idea for anyone travelling is to get a copy of your medical records, particularly if you are on medication for chronic conditions.

A very interesting reading. Thank you Fillide. But I must confess that the more I read and listen to the news about economic woes the more confused I get. The reaction of the markets cannot be predicted and this convinces me that it is pure speculation without much logic. I read today this other article, which you may like:

Beautiful photos! Thanks Anne.