1..... last year when I visited Starbienino for the first time I was surprised how isolated the area was .....

2. ... I can imagine in winter it can be bleak and communication can be quite difficult particularly when you have long nights .... "

3. ... I think kids have to get to school somehow so this might be a problem .....

4.... there might be a tradition of the eldest continuing the farm ...

5.... I think the lake and different types of water sports connected with the lake may have potential here .... and also cycling because the landscape seems rather flat ...

6.... there is not a lot of employment here because the agriculture does not require many people ....

7.... I gather that much land has been left uncultivated since collective farms were re-privatised ...

8..... young people are going to leave the country because they have more interests and opportunities elsewhere ...

9. .... the landscape reminds me slightly of the area where I grew up in the Scottish borders – very rural, hilly, slow-moving, pleasant and thinly populated ....