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backpacker's bio
Retired. Married for 40 years; one daughter. No grandchildren. We now have the freedom (and a little dosh) to enable us to travel, but this now has to be limited as I look after my very elderly parents who are in their late 90's, still in their own home, but very frail. -
backpacker's latest comments
ViewDate:
11th Mar 2022backpacker commented on:
Will you be giving something up for Lent?I'll be giving up thik Putin is a decent human being - not that I ever thought he was, but he's finally proved he isn't.ViewDate:
11th Mar 2022backpacker commented on:
Win a Two Night Stay in Brooks Hotel Dublin in Association with Golden IrelandMoing to Ireland soon, so this would be SO useful!ViewDate:
8th Jun 2018backpacker commented on:
Spelling mistakes - should these be pointed out on social media?No you're not. There is a general assumption on the part of the finger-pointers that English is the first language of the person writing. This isn't necessarily the case. Neither do they consider the possibility of problems such as dyslexia, or arthritic hands (which I have, and it often causes my fingers to misbehave on the keyboard). It's irritating and rude of people to behave this way, but there are those who just love to demonstrate their knowledge of such things by ridiculing others, especially when it can be done anonymously. They're bullies, plain and simple.ViewDate:
9th Feb 2018backpacker commented on:
Can a relationship survive an affair?It depends on the couple concerned. I've been married to the same man for over 40 years and neither one of us has ever had an affair - or wanted to as far as I know. In the early years of our marriage I don't think I could have accepted my husband having an affair, but now, 40 years on I would be asking myself why he felt the need - you notice I'm basing these comments on the possibility of HIS having an affair, not me! I've asked myself, through the years, if I would leave the marriage, but I've come to the conclusion that no, I wouldn't. Why not? I'm older and more mature now and realise that things happen for a reason, and those reasons would need to be discussed. Avoid playing the Blame Game and just be totally honest with each other, then see if it's worth staying together.ViewDate:
23rd Sep 2017backpacker commented on:
Win a pair of Hotter Shoes of your choiceWhat could be better on a chilly day than a Hotter pair of shoes?ViewDate:
28th May 2017backpacker commented on:
Should National Service be reintroduced in the UK?I'm sick of hearing about the "good old days" of compulsory National Service, and how it should be brought back.Surely being a member of the armed forces isn't the only way to instil discipline and a sense of responsibility? This should be done in the home and in school. Have we really got no imagination? The military is intended, is it not, to train individuals to defend one's country using aggression? Yes, there are trades to be learned, and friendships to be made, but that also occurred when we had apprenticeships. Shouldn't we be investing in manufacturing industries and re-introducing apprenticeships? Instead of which young people just want to get rich and famous by appearing on reality TV.ViewDate:
9th Sep 2016backpacker commented on:
Is Climate Change really happening?If you look at the population growth, along with all the Stuff that we humans need (or want) houses, transport, schools, domestic fuel, then accept that humans have plundered the planet in order the attain all these things, plus a huge array of material possessions, it is actually common sense to see that we are responsible for climate change. Maybe it is also a natural phenomena, but we have speeded things up. What has caused deforestation? Humans What has caused pollution? Humans What has caused the decline in many wild species? Humans What has caused the increase of population? Humans Which species is the most violent and selfish on this planet? Need you ask? Yes, we've done some good things, but we can't just sit back and say we have not contributed to global warming. Wake up people!ViewDate:
4th Sep 2016backpacker commented on:
Should an immediate ban on microbeads in toiletries be imposed?The use of microbeads is so harmful to the environment, but sadly, many people just don't seem to care. I think too many people see only what is immediately around them and don't stop to think about their actions. How many people actually think about what happens to the waste that's flushed away - it has to go somewhere, but once it's gone down that plughole, that's it - they either don't care, or don't want to know. We're slowly killing this planet with our greed and materialism. Sorry to sound preachy but the environment and the creatures we share this planet with are causes close to my heart. Ever been on a "beach clean" in SE Asia? Once you've done one, and seen how just much rubbish - especially plastic - is washed up onto beaches in such places as Thailand and Cambodia, it (hopefully) changes your attitude.ViewDate:
4th Sep 2016backpacker commented on:
My children never visit me - am I being unreasonable?No,I didn't misunderstand you Olive, but maybe I was a little bit too forceful with my comments. I do feel that children are often made to feel guilty if they don't visit their parents - or grandparents. Imagine, if you will, how you would react if you had felt an obligation to visit your parents. I know I would feel utterly miserable if I thought my daughter visited us out of a sense of duty; the fact that we have openly discussed this means that she is genuinely happy to visit when she can. Maybe my attitude comes from having lived abroad for many years at a time, when the only contact was letter writing; every letter to and from my parents was cherished, and still is. My daughter has recently returned from living in Vietnam for several years during which time we emailed each other every few days - again, each one cherished. We have written to each other regularly from the day she left home to go to uni, and have become accustomed to long distance relationships, so that when we do see each other it is all the more special. Perhaps you could keep in touch with letters, or cards for no particular reason other than saying Hello, and emails if you're on the internet. Skype is also great - in our case we decided against using it because it would have been too emotional, but I know many people who love it. Maintaining the contact, for me, is just as important as visits. We miss our daughter SO much, but we're in touch every few days if only to send a "Love you" email. She's planning a visit in a few weeks, and we all know it's because she wants to, not because she feels it's "time to see the Oldies".ViewDate:
19th Aug 2016backpacker commented on:
Anyone looking forward to this year's Strictly?Nope. I don't understand the secrecy and fuss behind who is going to be on Strictly.ViewDate:
19th Aug 2016backpacker commented on:
My children never visit me - am I being unreasonable?I disagree - it is parents who are responsible for their children; they are the ones who decided to have children, and they in turn don't OWE anything to their parents. To suggest to children that they are obliged to take responsibility for their parents is appalling; it is not something to which parents are entitled, and to suggest it to their children is emotional blackmail. If, in later life, adult children do visit their parents, or become carers to them (as I have done, caring for my very elderly parents), it should be because they want to, not out of a sense of duty. My adult daughter,who is single with no children, is under no obligation to me and her father, none whatsoever; because she has been told this from quite an early age she has been free to live her life the way she wants to. I know that when she visits it's because she actually wants to, not because she feels she has to.ViewDate:
19th Aug 2016backpacker commented on:
Win one of 5 copies of the RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening by Chris Baines!My aim is to make my small garden a haven for wildlife - everything from birds, bees and bugs to all creatures in between. They're all welcome, but a book specifically on this topic would be a huge help to me - and them.ViewDate:
9th Aug 2016backpacker commented on:
Do you floss?I had a fall whilst on holiday in Vietnam a few months ago, and broke several teeth so had extensive dental work. My lovely Vietnamese dentist recommended a water flosser; I use it twice a day and it's fantastic - I'm amazed at much food debris is dislodged with it and how much cleaner my mouth and teeth are.ViewDate:
9th Aug 2016backpacker commented on:
Are the school holidays too long?The long summer break was introduced a long time ago because children who lived on farms were required to help get the summer crops in - haymaking and such. This no longer applies. The school year could be broken up in a different way with a few more, shorter, breaks. Many children themselves find this long break boring and are eager to get back into a routine. It's becoming increasingly more expensive to entertain kids during holidays as many parents think the only way is to take them to theme parks and shopping centres etc. Gone are the days when the traffic was less during the holidays, as parents ferry their kids all over the place. Shopping is a nightmare as kids are allowed, even encouraged, to run wild in shops and shopping centres. I'm waiting for the day when the Minister for Education looks at this in a sensible way and changes it.....ViewDate:
9th Aug 2016backpacker commented on:
What is your main health concern as you get older?I am now the main carer for my very elderly parents whi still live in their own home. My 95 year old mother has dementia, and my father who is 97 helps to care for her but he is almost blind, deaf in one ear, and is now really frail having lost 3st in weight and 5" in height in the last two years! He says he has lived too long and just want an end to his life as it now has no quality. This is my greatest fear - either getting dementia, or living too long, losing my sight or hearing and not being able to enjoy all the things I used to, but no longer, take for granted - driving, reading, listening to music etc, etcViewDate:
20th Nov 2015backpacker commented on:
Win Two Economy Class Tickets From The UK To Anywhere On The Emirates Route Network!I would love to win this as my daughter lives in Vietnam and we could meet up in Thailand. Happy Days. -
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