Not dreary at all sir. Welcome. I owned one Italian - an Aprilia Falco - love at first sight when I parked my VFR750 next to one in 2001. Had mine nearly 10 years. It never let me down and looked just as shiny the day I swapped it for my R1200S as it did when I bought it. Quite fancy an old Ducati 900SS (Superlight preferred) in my garage (I need to get myself a garage first).
Welcome to the forum. The inhabitants have been very friendly and helpful when I went back to Triumph. Loads of information on here as well.
I always knew I would have a Bonnie. Never had a bike of my own until after 30 and by that time, I botched my foot and couldn't get my foot to work with the shifter. finally got a salesman that wanted the commission bad enough to mess with the position of the shifter and I went home with my green and white t120. Smile every single time I start it.