Hi Jules, Kew gardens sounds nice with the Japanese themed walk a nice change from the normal garden ,been to my friendship group Monday we had a exercise class which was hard work even though we only did 30minutes but it made a change hopefully he will come once a month unfortunately there is still only about 8 of us at the moment  so the activities are a bit limited ,went to the community centre for a bite to eat with my friends only three of us this week as on of the ladies isn't well at the moment she is having a lot of pain with her arthritis she is waiting to see a consultant to see if they can do anything about the pain . I am not even thinking about Christmas don't even like it now with only the three of us doesn't feel like Christmas any more , I'm always glad when it's been and gone .think I'm going to marks tomorrow Friday with my daughter  when she finishes work so it will be about 5 0 clock when we get there ,my daughter s x partner went hers last Friday for coffee I was surprised as they haven't seen one another for weeks not sure what is going to happen next I dispair sometimes my son is very down at the moment so he is another worry as he likes company I just wish he could find someone to make him happy .I'm glad your keeping your eye on the foxes must be lovely watching them play,I'm still feeding the hedgehog that comes in my garden because the weather isn't that cold they haven't hibernated yet it's nice to see him scurrying about . took George out today Thursday then went to my friends for coffee as soon as I came back I mowed my front lawn it looks better now hopefully on Friday I can do the back as the weather is supposed to be dry again not sure what I'm doing at the weekend have a lovely week regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Another week has flown past and the weather not been too bad at all. Usual walks, some longer than others but hit a personal record at the weekend with one over 10kms (not that I originally intended walking that far but it was so nice out!).  I met up with a friend for walking last Thursday followed by a day out with another friend (ex workmate) on Friday when we visited the Battle of Britain Bunker in Uxbridge followed by pub lunch which was very nice.   On Monday I went into town as needed to drop a birthday gift off to another ex workmate.  First time I had been back to my place of work in over a year!!!

Yesterday and today have been continuing with the back and front garden 'get ready for winter'work and now only have a couple of shrubs left to cut back.  Foxes continue to pass through the back garde though not as many as before so think some of the cubs have gone to find their own territory.  Day out in Surrey tomorrow so need to work out transport links - three changes - to get there by mid-day when group lunch for 10 is booked.  Afterwards we are going on a photographic afternoon at the nearby British Wildlife Centre.  I think my hubby would be proud of what I now managed to fit in.  Still trying to work out what to do for Christmas this year but it will sort itself out in the end.  Going to my daughters this weekend as my grandson's 8th birthday.

Hope you keep well and have a good week. Take care.  Jules x 

Hi Jules sounds as if you have had a busy few days and visited some lovely places I don't think we have that many nice places to visit as I only drive  to the shops and a few other places I'm limited really.must be nice to catch up with your work colleagues and find out what's going on in work,not done much this week only my dementia group Wednesday and my friends Thursday for coffee,I'm going into town tomorrow Friday as I have a earing check up at spec savers, while I'm in town will have a walk round I might even get my family Xmas cards and calender's while I'm in town .I'm still worried about my son he what talk to anyone about what's worrying him he's working from home as well so he his at home all day on his own which doesn't help I don't know what to do to help him if he won't help himself it's making me feel ill as I'm scared in case he does something stupid , the weather here isn't to bad at the moment it's supposed to be nice at the weekend then rain next week it has been a bit dull though all week really not much sunshine which makes it feel miserable not sure what I'm doing at the weekend I asked my son to come out for Sunday  dinner but he said no no doubt I will be on my own  again have a lovely week regards Syl x

Hi Jules hope things are ok haven't heard off you  e mail me when you can  regards Syl x

Hi Syl

I definitely answered your last email so appears to have 'disappeared'. Everything good with me and the family and I have just returned from a visit to my daughter with my son so all four grandchildren had a fun day and we enjoyed lunch out.

In the past couple of weeks have celelbrated grandson's 8th birthday with a family party, finished my walk challenge for the RAF Charitable Trust (RIAT 50th Anniversary).  In the 50 days managed over 110 miles , still doing my three weekly gym sessions, had a couple of coffee catch ups with friends as well as getting both my Covid booster and Flu jab.  I am going out for an Indian meal on Friday evening and then have a quiet weekend to myself before another round of family meals in November as we build up towards Christmas.

It cannot be easy trying to find out what is concerning/worrying your son and only hope he will take sensible advice and see his GP.  My son in law had been having anxiety thoughts/feelings and then his Mum tried to commit suicide during the time he was suffering from Sepsis.  Definitely worrying times but thankfully he listened to my daughter, got an appointment with the GP and is on medication which has helped a great deal and is having ongoing check ups to keep an eye on things.  For many people, young and old, the Covid pandemic has created wellbeing issues.

The foxes are visiting less and less in daylight and I think the new family has now dispersed to go their separate ways.  The vixen is still coming into the garden for a snack during the night (my night camera picks up these visits).

I have heard from the workmen and they are hoping to begin renovation of the garage in December so hopefully done before the festivities begin.

Do take care of yourself and stay safe.  Regards.  Jules x

Hi Jules,glad all is ok with you I think the web site is playing up it took me ages to answer your email sounds as if you're working hard with all the walking your doing and fiting your gym session as well it does you good to walk especially when the weather is nice ,my son doesn't seem to bad at the moment I had my Sunday dinner with him on Sunday he seemed in good spirit s but I am still keeping my eye on him  it is a worry when there not there usual happy self. went out last Saturday with my daughter by the way she is back with her X lol we had a nice day out at a place called dunham massie it's a house and gardens with a big deer park lovely day the house wasn't open but you could see where the servants lived and the wash house we also had something to eat and drink in the café there was plenty there as well .been to my dementia group this week there was only 4 volunteers there as one is on holiday two have COVID and one has broken there shoulder so it's a good job I went . glad your still seeing the foxes even though the young ones have gone now .I'm still feeding the hedgehog that comes in my garden I thought it would have hibernated by now but it is still mild here for the time of year.think I am going marks Saturday morning with my daughter as Saturday afternoon I am having my flu jab and my booster I have heard a few people have not been well after the flu jab fingers crossed I'm ok not sure what is happening Sunday regarding dinner have a lovely week regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

I was glad to read that your son joined you for Sunday Dinner and that he appeared ok,  I am sure we all have off days but think some men find it more difficult to open up about their feelings.  My hubby was not one to share and rarely spoke about his illness/effect on him (it is what led me to Cancer Chat in the first place!).  I do hope that your daughter's relationship is now back on track and they can move forward to better days ahead.  I don't think we ever stop worrying about them even when they are adults.  Mind you they worry about me too!!

Not been a bad week. Had a meal out with two friends who I had not seen for quite a while on Friday evening and still enjoying a good daily walk. I have also done quite a lot of gardening in preparation of the work on the garage due to begin 1st December.  I am sure I will have no problem filling the skip up (made need two ha ha). Still have rose flowering in the front garden and despite the first frost this morning I have nasturtiums, primulas and wallflowers blooming (not very seasonal!!). The visiting foxes are now dispersing as a family but still see a couple of them on the night camera and occasionally in the day too as they wonder through the garden.  I am sure it will  not be too long before your hedgehog hibernates but apparently always good to leave a little food out as they sometimes wake and fancy a snack (I only learnt that recently watching programmes like Autumnwatch/Countryfile.

Spent four hours out walking with my camera this morning and found so much fungi to record.  Just need to look it up to find out what's in the photos later.  Have a virtual meet up online with my new wildlife friends as we plan our next 'real' get-together at beginning of next month.

Take care of yourself and have a good week. Julesxx

Hi Jules my son doesn't seem to bad at the moment but he still isn't his normal happy self I just wish he would talk to someone ,but I can't force him to I just hope he feels better as the weeks go on .glad you enjoyed your meal out with friends it is nice to meet up and enjoy a meal and chat together . went to my friendship group Monday there was only 6of us a few of the ladies walk but it was absolutely throwing it down so they didn't want to walk I don't blame them we had a quiz it was a laugh as the questions were for a dementia group so they were fairly easy . when I went to my dementia group on Wednesday there was only 4 of the group and 3 volunteer's it felt strange not having a full group but we still had fun which is what it's all about ,glad your still seeing the foxes even though it's not regular now ,I think my hedgehog is hibernating now I haven't seen him now for about 4 days I left food out for him a few times and it wasn't touched hope he's snuggled up some where nice and warm .I watched autumn watch last week I did enjoy it hope the photos you took are good I'm not very good at taking photos ,I'm going into town tomorrow Friday haven't been for a couple of weeks might go in the market for some sausages and a piece of steak and treat my self to coffee and toasted t cake in Costa lol , hopefully going in my friends after dinner to have a catch up not sure what I'm doing at the weekend there is a garden centre opening up on Saturday near me it's been closed for ages but a new company has taken over so might go and have a nosy I have heard there is free food and drinks not sure what is happening Sunday I know it's forecast rain again for this week we have had nothing but rain lately so not done much in the garden have a lovely week regards Syl x

Hi Syl,

Hope you have had a good week.  I am really enjoying some late autumn sunshine so been going out most days.  Saw my son and family on Sunday and we went to local Harvester for lunch before taking a walk around the local foodie market and then came back to mine for the rest of the afternoon.  Lovely catching up with them and also got new photos to put up of the grandkids so today have bought a couple more picture frames (will run out of space to put them soon so will have to start taking down some older  pictures!

Yesterday I went out for the day to a Nature Reserve in Hertfordshire  and had a lovely peaceful stroll around several of the lakes there and stopped mid-day for a cuppa.  Got home around 4.30 and was happy to put my feet up and go through all the photos taken on the computer then sharing them with several of the online groups I belong to.  We were then chatting until quite late.

Today was gym session and mini food shop.  Tomorrow I have the company coming to measure  up for the new garage door so will have to stay in until they have been then see what the weather is doing.

I am having a busy week as on Thursday I am meeting a friend in town for a morning coffee and catch up and then catching a bus to the Theatre to see Rock of Ages in the afternoon.  

I have my daughter and family coming down for the weekend and that will be another week done and dusted.  Arrangements all sorted for Christmas Day now too so feel a bit more relaxed.

Hope your son continues to feel better.  We all have those up and down days and somehow work through them.  I have had no news from my inlaws on the Isle of Man despite enquiring but they seem to have decided to deal with things on their own so I have no idea how my sister in law is responding to her latest round of cancer treatment.   This is their choice and I have to respect that.

Going to cook lunch now before catching up with my aunt over the phone (she is 91 and still very independant bless her but I like to keep a regular phone chat going with her.).  She is having her gardens landscaped at the moment to make it a bit easier for her to manage but still does most things herself. So different to her sister (my Mum)  and she is a breath of fresh air as never complains. The village where she lives is quite community spirited and they all keep an eye on each other and have my number in case of any problems but she probably goes out and about as much as I do ha ha.

Take care of yourself and hope you are still doing your dog walks when the weather allows.

Best regards.  Jules x