Size twenty thighs squeezed into size 14 leggings, check. Trendy trainers, check. Loose fitting, very long top, check. Yoga mat, check. Courage firmly in my two hands, check. I'm ready for my first ever Pilates class and am hoping that as it's an over 50s class at 11:30 on a Monday morning, all the bright young things with their supple backs and sl

Ever wonder how you can be so close to people for decades and then have them leave your life without a second glance for the most spurious of reasons? I was at my aunt Marjorie's funeral the other day and saw my family for the first time in years and you know what? Nothing. That's what I felt. My baby sis, who I loved beyond words growing up, is no

Fifteen months ago I applied for my pension from France...15 months! and I still have nothing. I call and call and call and write and write and email and email, but nothing. On Friday I got another number to call from the Normandy faction: the International faction. They work three days a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at specific times; I've s

Yes, yes, I know what you're thinking: what a waste of money! And you're partially right; I've had five sessions so far for my osteoarthritis and can't say that it's any easier if I'm honest, but that may well be because nothing can be done to actually cure it, you can only relieve the pain temporarily and that's what it's done. On the day I have t

Hello and welcome to grandchild number seven! Really! Angèle Julia Rose was born at 8am on 12th July in Nouméa, New Caledonia, which equates to 10pm on 11th July for England and 11pm on 11th July for France, where she will be living come August. Phew, so when do we celebrate her birthday? Whenever it is, I'm wishing her a wonderful life with her

We had a nice evening yesterday sitting in the back garden taking in the last of the summer sun: dips and crisps, vodka, wine, fish 'n chips and a lovely summer fruit salad with cream. I have to admit that were it not for Golfer I wouldn't even know the neighbours, who are the retired policeman, Simon, and his police officer wife, Ruth; and their n

What a great film, I was it fits from beginning to end, not to mention that it touched a nerve as well. Diane (Diane Keaton) is recently widowed after 40 years of marriage. Vivian (Jane Fonda) enjoys her men with no strings attached but is terrified of being hurt. Sharon (Candice Bergen) is still working through a decades-old divorce and resisting

So, I had my first hypnotherapy session today and was not prepared for the emotions it stirred up. I'm not one for looking backwards, but as she wanted some background I started to tell her about my life...by the time I'd finished I'd lost the will to live and she herself was in tears!! I now have three 'power phrases', which are: I am relaxed; I a

Came across this on Facebook this morning: Introverts don't make friends, they're just adopted by extroverts... It got me thinking: do they mutually seek each other out, the extroverts in order to have a captive audience and no competition and the introverts in order to be able to sit back and watch the show without having to participate? Sound log