It is naturalised in Australia and invasive in some places. So check first if you are going to get some. Also invasive in S Africa. It loves walls, pavement cracks, anywhere with sharp drainage and slightly alkaline soil. Spreads by wind born seed and self sows widely. Here's some in a wall near me, along with Campanula portenschlagiana, another wall loving self sower and Ceanothus.

Water deficit,at the stagnant fruit stage,in the growing season,produces bad figs,tasteless. Too much water after the stagnant stage,when fruits start swelling produces watery bad fruits,that do not last on shelf at all,and will sour immediately after harvest. That is why Fig tree can be grown in many places privately but very few places in the world have the right climate,to grow them successfully and have a good profit doing it. Central Ca is a good place to grow highest quality fruits to compete against any other country,if corners are not cut,with the harvesting and drying process. So far it seem that Turkey does not cut corners,tho to be honest,I do remember when I bought round Turkish boxes of dried figs,I found in the box that every third fruit about, was dried well but tasteless,because it was harvested unripe. You see I really like Fig fruits and consume them of all kinds,Fresh dried ,fig jam,fig in syrop,California figs Turkish figs,etc. I wish we could import Portuguese Spanish and Italian figs but I never found them for sale. You see ,as for example Spanish figs might be superior to all figs sold here because They grow Col de Dame black for fresh market,and Col de Dame white for dried figs. Being fortunate to have been tasted,a few , Col de Dame ripe figs I can imagine how good the dried Spanish,Col de Dame white,or properly ripe, fresh Col de Dame black would taste.

Annie, my Mom didn't want a funeral either, just to be cremated and her ashes scattered at sea. And a "celebration of life" (her words). As to the celebration of life, I pretty well made it up in consultation with a chaplain she had liked. We held it a month after her death, to give everyone's emotions a little settling time. We had it in a local hall, I catered most of the food, and we invited what family and friends we knew would want to come. I gave a short talk on Mom's life, brother gave a short talk on how she affected our lives. Then we said her favourite prayer and took helium balloons in her favourite colours (which I had filled myself with assistance from my inlaws) outside and released them. During the balloon release a family friend in full Scots regalia (total surprise) played "Amazing Grace" on his bagpipes. Lots of people said it was the best "funeral" they had ever attended, and it certainly was low cost (had to be, we were really skint back then). With your large family I guess if you wanted to do something like that you could all bring food and share, which would also add to the community feel. So you'd be honouring your Unlce Marty's wishes but still have the closure a funeral gives and the chance for everyone to get together and reminisce.

Paul hi there. I’m doing good thanks, however I can think of better ways of attracting attention, believe me! Lol. I’ve been out again today in the car for yet more essential festive shopping. Have all the family here for the big day, so 7 adults, 4 young grandsons so we will have a good time I’m certain. It’s not going to be aWhite Christmas here, 11C again today. Peter, hello to you too. I’m glad you like the forum but there are a lot of faces I no longer see since it was started a few years ago. Things happen don’t they, so it’s no surprise people come and go. Let’s hope new faces continue to be attracted enough to keep the forum alive. Looking forward to spring when hopefully our plants begin to stir again. The temps in Tas and WA were perfect when I was there, mid to high 30’s, it was a shock to the syestem on my return to sub zero C! I was really blown away by the scenery in Tas, not been to that state before and I was suitably impressed. I gather we didn’t win the ashes......so guess you did! Have a great Christmas and New Year everyone! Gill