Some years ago, I was living in an old cottage, on a farm in France. One day, driving back from the boulangerie, I spotted a tiny bird in the lane, just by my house. I stopped the car and, using a towel, picked it up and placed it gently in the hedgerow. The following morning, I heard a strange noise at my front door, and when I opened it…

Last week, after 12 wonderful years together, my phone died. I have to say it was a little traumatic. Contacts lost, photos, personal data, but mostly the familiarity of how it works. I knew which tune meant I had a text, or a call, where to find my step counter…

With the unseasonal warm weather for mid-March in the west of England, I was excited to be out in the garden. Due to a recent operation there were so many tasks left undone, and I was keen to get moving. Spring wasn’t going to wait for anyone!

When we look around this big, beautiful world we live in, it can seem a little overwhelming – especially right now. Wars, conflicts, poverty, crime, economic crisis – sometimes it seems that life is not the blissful one we grew up in. And yet, in many ways, it still is. The sun rises and sets…

When I was younger I kind of liked the idea of being a little old lady. Sitting by the fireside knitting with my cat snuggled on my lap, wearing my purple hat when out shopping with my rickety old-lady trolley. Having family pop round offering to do little chores or tasks. It all seemed quite blissful. Only…

After a little delay, I was so excited to be given a date for my operation. Living alone in an two-storey cottage, I knew it would be important to be organised. I was also aware that my mental happiness was as important as my physical one. Having been offered a cancellation, there was just one week…

Although I have always loved nature, I have never really been a gardener. Of course, I have planted a few bulbs, scattered some seeds, grown a few vegetables, and even planted a couple of trees. But I never really thought about what I was doing…

It may seem a little strange, but budgeting can be great fun, leaving any money saved to splurge on rainy days and holidays. Sometimes we may just want peace of mind, knowing if something unexpected comes up, we will be OK…

I may have bloomed, but I am not yet withered, I may have passed my peak, but I am still on the mountain. Just because I am over 60 doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole lot of life ahead of me; in fact, I can be braver…

When any big life event comes round, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, anniversaries, it is easy to remember what we were doing on the same day last year, or many years ago. Magical childhoods waiting for Santa to arrive, Easter egg hunting, unwrapping birthday presents, forever weddings.