Getting off the boat for a minute, and back on dry land.....Yes, Phil, I am really serious about this idea. I meant it when I said that we may have to invade an already established home/village because I am thinking of the infrastructure necessary to keep a place like that running effectively. For a regular home/village you need managers, housekeeping staff, catering staff, groudskeepers, whatever. And in the situation where people get really sick or are approaching their final performance at heaven's gate, then you need nursing home facilities.

(I'm trying to be realistic, not just deliberately gloomy.) My grandmother moved from her own home to a retirement village, in a small unit. Then when she got a bit older, had a couple of medical crises and was less independent in looking after herself she moved into a hostel style room with increased support. Finally she was moved into the nursing home, where she died a few years ago.

Also, I know of a local retirement home/nursing home which targeted multicultural people as residents. In a larger city than Newcastle, Oz (250,000 population in the Greater Newcastle Region) I think that it could be even more specific to one language or culture or ethnic group.

I am only 43, (but then in the medical lottery called life that doesn't guarantee that I'll stay out of a home/nursing home at this age) but I used to watch the older people at the senior citizens' centre next to where I used to work, and they just played cards and acarpet bowls and I pictured myself trapped in that environment with no alternatives and I realised that now is the time to be planning for an alternative future which suits *me* better. And I think that other people who don't fit the *normal* social characteristics should be thinking about it now and doing something about it *now* rather than getting frustrated and bitterly disappointed in their older age because they assumed that their lifestyle would be catered for by *normal* society.

Okay, I've said my bit for the present - but yes - I am very serious about this. And I think that folkies, who are used to travelling to festivals and having a great time with people they didn't know before, and also who often tend to live unconventional lifestyles (not just nuclear families, 2.1 children, suburbia, 2 cars, a boat and a dog) are more likely to be open to the idea of moving to another location if it could be with likeminded folk.

So, my two (Oz) cents for the discussion.

Helen