Category Archives: Health

Diaries: soulmates, dates and derring-do.


“I need the dates of all the countries I have visited since 2005,” said The Exocet from Australia. “Could you please try and remember when and where we went on holidays and trips away?” Of course my darling; I have … Continue reading

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A new life-work balance … with buttercups and daisies


The start of this year heralded what I have come to think of as The Cancer Months, now happily behind me.  Life has settled into a slower steadier pace; my body won’t accept any more or less and I listen … Continue reading

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A brief skirmish with Cancer


It started with an abdominal pain. The ache had been there for a while but as I had taken up Pilates and was using my core muscles more intensively, it became more intense too. It feels like a twisted bowel … Continue reading

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Moving out, moving in: one street and a grand new chapter


“October,” he said. “I’ll need the house back for my daughter.” My landlord sounded vaguely apologetic but businesslike on the phone. I had been his tenant for nearly seven years, moving in a hurry to escape with my daughters from … Continue reading

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Face to a Name: the dementia care revolution unmasked


One rainy January afternoon, I made my way West to meet up with a business colleague for a long overdue exchange of news. Over coffee in the congenial surroundings of Soho House, Jake Arnold Forster described his work with organisations … Continue reading

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High five to fingers and thumbs (and a wink to the limbs as well)


The ceramics came first.  Last summer I happened upon a friendly neighbour who mentioned that her former-almost-daughter-in-law was involved in setting up an earthy new local venture. Former-Almost had apparently joined forces with like-minded artists to create a ceramics studio … Continue reading

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Sicily and the art of slow


Mr Smart, Head of Art is ultimately responsible. Chatting last term to Beautiful Boyfriend (mine, not his) he recommended as the starting point for our imminent vacanza, a swanky Palazzo apartment owned by a Countess he happens to know. Palermo … Continue reading

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Does my bum look big in this?


Preparing for a party some years ago, my Girls then aged 4 and 6 sat on on the bed to watch me dress and make-up. After applying the final glittering touches I twisted and turned in front of the mirror, … Continue reading

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The holiday: Gozo far … and find unspoiled heaven


Sunbather from ancient Gozo Excitement mounted as my long awaited, high-pamper-factor, sun-filled holiday hove into view, destination Gozo, a tiny island of the Maltese archipelago, which lies about 80km south of Sicily and 290km north of Africa. As yet unsullied … Continue reading

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Beauty: a work in progress


My birthday fell due last week, and as all birthdays do, it fell, took place and passed.  But this nonentity of a birthday, ostensibly a nothing year, arrived on an ill-wind, one that ruffled my middleageing feathers in most unexpected … Continue reading

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