Well, this is it. We have just entered the 21st century. Not bad for a couple of pensionati. We have been using Myspace but haven't really got the hang of it. Not sure whether this is going to be any easier going but we will give it a try.

This year has been a bit hectic with five visits to the UK, interspaced with having guests in Massa. It is not finished yet as we have at least three more sets of guests to arrive, a trip to Sardinia (at a cost of 40 cents all in) and another UK trip to see the new grandchildren in December. Christmas will be a quiet one in Massa for some R & R.

For those who haven't yet visited, we live in a beautiful part of Tuscany, (Toscana to us locals), between the mountains & the sea. It is approximately ten minutes by car to either. The weather is fabulous, and we have oranges, lemons, figs, pomegranites, kumquats, olives and lots of vegetables including melons and aubergines in the gargen.

The mountains are the Apuan Range which are solid white marble, Michael Angelo was here for a time, sorting out a suitable piece for his statue of David.

Carol & Doug.