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Yes, Pigale, the forum does seem quiet.
Could be the warm weather sending folk outdoors.

yesterday my husband put up a mail box on the porch wall,because Freddy likes collecting the mail and tears everything into shreds,today the post man tries to put letters into a sealed letterbox ignoring note not to use it he knows Freddy tears up the mail ending with Freddy the shredder in hysterics and one of the cats was sick on the stairs,and still it rains

Morning, Rusty!
A much fresher day thanks to the overnight rain! Looks dull but at least it's fine!
How is it in Dundee?
How did your outing with the girls go yesterday? Which won out....bacon roll or ice cream? ( or were you really wicked and had both?!) Did you go to the Pine Cone Cafe?
The test drive with the Volvo went very well (as expected) so we are definitely going to have the car
We shall collect it next Thursday after it's had various extras added.
Looking forward to it!!
No specific plans for today other than watching the Athletics. How about you?

Hi, Doglet!
I do sympathise! Our dog likes to open the mail in situ as it falls on the mat! We have got around the problem by putting a gate across the hall preventing the dog from reaching the front door. Would that not work for you?
Our cat is bringing up huge fur balls, despite daily grooming ( he's long-haired) - think it must be due to extra moulting because of the heat?
But at least we've no rain!

Hi elle
We went to a hotel in the Apuan Alps, the marble mountains north of Pisa, including Carrara, famous for its statuary marble.
We've been going there every year for ten years. We weren't intending to go this year, as we have several other trips planned, but we made a late decision that we couldn't miss it.
Flowers and ferns great as usual, but it was HOT!{/b]

Hi, Chris!
Sounds fantastic! It's somewhere that I have never been - the only thing I know about the area is that the highest peak is Mount Pisanino (I think?)
Is the area especially renowned for its ferns? - or was that an incidental part of the trip?

Yes, Pisanino is the highest, but relatively unvisited as it's off the main ridge. Pania delle Croce is the biggest draw, though we've never done it (requires more complicated travel arrangements than a sole rental car!)

On our first trip I texted my daughter after our first stroll out "Nightmare scenario - hills plastered with ferns!".

It is the richest plant area in Italy - something like 3/4 of all Italian plants can be found in the area. Orchids a speciality, but ferns are excellent too.

Wow! No wonder you go back repeatedly- apart from fantastic scenery and good (if too hot!) weather, you can indulge yourselves in your hobby too!
Your daughter and her partner don't go with you? (or do they have to dog and cat sit?)

Daughter has been with us once, before partner and between dogs (and jobs!) They now are dog and cat minders, as you say - in fact, if you asked the dog, he would say they are the main carers and we are the backup!

Morning everyone,

Have just received my Bradford's - looks good but I now have to learn how to use it! Never had a xwords solver before.

Weather still warm but a lot more bearable today.

Hi, Pigale!
I browsed through mine for a bit, wondering how I would use it.
It's proved to be very useful, rather than a Thesaurus in some respects but with a wider aspect. I've already solved quite a few clues with its help!
Much cooler here this morning, after a massive thunderstorm last last night and rain throughout much of the night. Dry now tho.