SueC62

Try Rock Choir. It's for everyone, regardless of ability. You don't audition. You go along for a free taster session and then it's up to you whether you join or not.

Quite true, it may be a lifeline to some, but if you re-read what I put, I said it's a luxury, not a necessity in general.

As a single, I want to be able to buy all my fresh produce in singles or loose. Where I can't, I freeze what I don't want and am experimenting with fruits and veggies so nothing gets thrown out.

It is a luxury not a necessity, in general, so it's a difficult one. I can see the point in means testing for any 'perk' but the cost of administering it will probably cancel out any savings and who will administer it? The Beeb or the government? However there are many other areas where the BBC could rein in their spending, such as in their working environment. I won't say any more as my last employer benefited from that, as did my bonus!

It's absolutely good for both mental and physical health. I'm in a choir and we do breathing exercises which help expand the lungs for those long notes.

Google Rock Choir, there will probably be a group near you. It is a commercial venture so there is a fee per term (fits in with school terms) but you can get a taster session for free. The songs are more pop than rock. Eg, last term we learnt Roar, Africa and Dreams.

My local Morrisons has become my favourite as it's the only one offering variety of items and plenty of single packs of meat as well as the fish and meat counters and a big move towards loose veggies and fruit.

I always had an issue with this but since retiring I've been experimenting with freezing vegetables and fruit so I don't have to bin anything.

I'd be up for this and already, if buying loose items, keep them loose and don't put them in a plastic bag, although I do put bread items in the paper bags supplied. It annoys me that my local Tesco, if I buy prepacked meat or fish, insist on putting it in another plastic bag. The original packaging should be safe enough! In a Lidl abroad, they have large tubs of frozen shellfish and calamari with scoops. My local Lidl sells nuts loose with scoops and some bread is loose with tongs to select. The only issue I see is where people manually handle items such as bread, that they then put back, rather than using tongs.

I suppose I'm elderly being nearly 65 but technology is an integral part of my life - control my heating, keep in touch with friends all over the world, manage my bank accounts etc. My older relatives were never technologically savvy and in any case are now physically dependent on us. I'm more worried about some of the slightly younger generation, in my own family anyway, who don't want anything to do with technology. My younger sister, 54, didn't want to know but I've since given her an old notebook and told her she must embrace technology or she will lose out once she retires. I've even impressed some of the teens and twenties I know with the apps I have that they'd never heard of :-)

My son has a letter regarding my wishes if I become unable to look after myself. He's also fully aware that as it's going to be my funeral, I'll be planning it!

Our NHS is years behind other countries' systems. By now, the administrative side should be using cutting edge technology. Last year, a week after a small routine procedure I received a phone call giving me good results and told to go back to my GP. Two weeks later I went and he still hadn't had the results. I don't see why we both couldn't have had them online and earlier. A friend who is resident in Turkey was advised that an MRI scan was required. It was done within 30 minutes and the results were provided immediately. I am not a frequent user of our NHS but every time I have done, I've been subjected to inefficiencies (left waiting for 2 hours because they forgot to book me in when I arrived) and seen money wasted (2 x letters sent to me 1st class to confirm an appointment that I'd already received confirmation of by text). And I'm sick of highly paid consultants who can't give me a firm diagnosis, asking me what I think it is. And I've even had to show a consultant how to use his new application so he could update my records properly....

I've recently changed to using a microfibre 'washcloth' which, with only water, is doing just as good, if not a better, job than the make up remover wipes did. And my skin seems to be thriving from the change.

The comment about the window cleaner is interesting. I pay mine cash each time without a receipt so how does HMRC know he is paying any/the correct tax? I was in India a few years back and was told that everyone uses electronic payment methods, even the street vendors. Personally, I'm virtually cashless although I do carry a small amount on me at all times; sometimes to give a friend cash who wants to put a joint meal bill on their card. In the main, I put everything on a loyalty credit card which is paid off in full each month. I also keep a close watch on the expenditure, keeping a detailed spreadsheet which enables me to analyse the spend but then I'm an Excel nerd.

I'm more concerned that children know what Easter is supposed to be about. Same with Christmas and the other religious festivals that have been hijacked. As a child I attended Sunday School from about 3 until I was 15 so I have a good understanding of the Christian religion and festivals. These days I am an atheist but have great respect for those who follow the positive aspects of Christianity or any religion. I wonder how many people eating Easter Eggs gave something up for Lent? I imagine most people ate pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, ignored Lent and then celebrated Easter, probably not even knowing what Lent was about. My niece gives up chocolate every Lent but she is the only person I know that observes the fast as well as the celebration. I have no problem with Easter Egg hunts as such; at least the children are getting some exercise and working for their reward. I don't remember them from when I was a child, though. On Easter Sunday we were finally allowed to break in to the chocolate eggs that had been sat in view on the top of the piano for around a week. At least it focused us to be good :-)

I've used one of these and they are great and blend everything smoothly; even nuts and oats.

I find that using one of two very rude four letter words aimed at the offender, yet uttered in the privacy of my own car, helps to stop rage rising and keep my blood pressure down. Unfortunately, I forgot one day I was not alone and my mid twenties nephew now considers me to be even cooler than he previously thought I was...

Whilst I don't ride any more, I hold a full motorcycle licence and still employ the same 'life savers' that I learnt when on two wheels. Indicating at roundabouts both before I get on and when coming off. I'm regularly the only person doing so! Carrying out an over the left shoulder look before moving off or turning left as well as glancing over the right shoulder before turning right. I use the motorway regularly and observe people who think an indication to pull in to the right hand lane means they have right of way and they either push in, causing me to break or give me the V sign or similar if I don't do this. Then the opposite, when I indicate to pull in to the right hand lane to do so after they have passed me, they slam their breaks on to let me out! It's not polite and it's a danger to those behind. Drivers in the inside lane, refusing to move to the clear middle lane to allow traffic coming on from the slip road causing wagons to break and have to go down through their multiple gears. Those who have no idea what the rear view mirror is or not looking ahead of the vehicle in front. And the middle lane "I've picked my lane and I'm sticking to it." hoggers who I've now noticed have gravitated to use the 3rd land on the 4 lane motorways. Until a few months ago, I drove a 2litre Insignia but now have a little Adam. I've noticed a difference in how other drivers, particularly on the motorway react to me. It's as if being in a little car, they think I won't know what I'm doing and should get out of their way, whether it's possible or not.

Just for the fact alone that she was our first female prime minister, she should be honoured, irrespective of our individual views of her and her time in office.

I have a large well stocked freezer and always buy water filters and loo rolls in bulk when on special offer, so I'm inadvertently prepared if there are any shortages. I can see there being a short term delay of produce movement at the start due to the introduction of customs checks. It will depend on how many additional customs staff have been taken on. I do believe there will be a shortage of available home grown produce if European pickers leave unless Brits take up the jobs. That in turn will push up prices. Farmers will still need to cover costs and keep their own heads above water.

I've always thought of the word 'man' as having two meanings. One being specific to a male and the other being more general and non gender related. In a male dominated department, I never took offence when the boss used the terms "men", "guys" etc. I was more offended when he felt the need to single out me and my other female colleague by tacking on "..and ladies" as if we were a lesser afterthought.

The programme isn't really my thing but occasionally I do watch it and admire the interaction of the couple from a technical viewpoint. I can't see what difference the gender of the dance partners will make to this. Only the outfits will be different but that shouldn't be what the programme is about. I'm more concerned at the 'anti pc' (for want of a better description) views on here, which is making me question if I want to be associated with Silversurfers if that is representative of the demographic.

I am probably not as conscientious as I could be at avoiding plastics - very difficult if one needs to shop at the supermarkets - but I do recycle everything that I can. I'm quite prepared to travel to wherever the appropriate recycling receptacle is. Whether plastics or other, we should all be mindful of disposing of any waste properly whether in rubbish bins or recycle bins. Yesterday I was on a train and getting off close to the end of its journey so was one of the few passengers left. I couldn't find the on board rubbish bin so put my rubbish in my rucksack to dispose of at home but when I looked around the carriage, most of the other travellers had just left their rubbish on the tables, seats or floor - all of them adults too!

I think the issue is with the calibre of some of the managers. Some of the processes that are in place are the cause of financial loss. For example, my father had an operation at one hospital. Back home, there was a reaction. The 'process' demands that he has to go to the local A&E, wait hours, for the busy A&E doctor to confirm what the paramedic had said, that he needed to go back to the operating hospital because only they could fix it. Twice this happened. Waste of ambulance staff time/fuel, A&E staff time and poor dad lying on a trolley for hours until he could be transferred. I also many years ago contracted for 12 months as a project assistant in an administrative office. I was grossly overpaid for the type of work they gave me but I wasn't about to complain! They actually didn't have any work for me but the position existed so they filled it. Everyone was 'so busy' but we temps used to the private sector, could see they weren't. They offered a permanent job to a 7 months' pregnant temp who was delighted to shortly be going on maternity leave on full pay and at the end of the year, they had a massive financial blowout on an 'away day' because 'if we don't use up the budget we won't get it next year'. I found this the most stressful job I've ever had because every day, I'd walk in wondering how on earth I was going to stretch my tasks to fill the day. And yet ill people are denied life saving treatment.....

Even though I wasn't 'in the dark', some of the symptoms were a shock, unpleasant and soul destroying. Some, like 'fizzy', sensitive finger tips and the severe deja vu I occasionally experienced (I once went to the library to find I'd read every book....) I didn't immediately identify as a symptom of the menopause. Overall it was a bad and dark period in my life and in the end I went on HRT, fully aware of the risk. I was only on it for a few years and believe it was the best thing for me. I couldn't have continued to function without it. I've come through the menopause a very happy, contented person,

Because I'm often away overnight, either work or spending the weekend with friends, my bedding washing frequency is based on the number of nights I've slept in the bed but equates to about a week. If I've been ill then I'll change the bedding as soon as I feel I've recovered and have a shower so bed and me are nice and clean.

The way it should be tackled is by ensuring that nutrition is taught in schools so that people grow up understanding about a balanced diet. Employers (and schools?) in their canteens/restaurants should show responsibility instead of maximising profits - pizza slice with garlic bread?? Carbs with carbs! We should all still be able to have our treats. I try to balance so, for example, if I have a big cream make, counter it with a salad with little or no carbs

I believe loneliness is more to do with an individual's make up. I have been very lonely, only being happy when in the company of others but then 12 years ago something happened that took me right down. My feeling of loneliness got so bad, I could be with friends and still feel lonely. Through self help books and counselling I came out of it and now, even though I'm alone most of the time, I have never been happier and never feel lonely. I don't rely on anyone else to make me happy, I make my own happiness. Wilf mentions his aunt who was sad and withdrawn which makes me think, together with my own experience, that loneliness is a symptom of depression.

I believe the tradition was started as a way to send greetings to people you couldn't personal wish 'Merry Christmas' to. These days it seems to have turned round so that you only send cards to people that you see regularly. I send cards to all but my main focus is to friends who live a distance away, who I don't get to see regularly, sometimes years at a time. I include a letter of news with those cards. I do think that Christmas Cards, with newsletters, should be used only to keep in touch with friends we don't see often and those we see regularly, deliver Christmas greetings either in person or, dare I say it, electronically. A charity donation instead of cards is a good idea. Same with presents; I've asked my son and family to make a charity donation instead of buying me something and they want the same. I'll have great fun choosing an appropriate charity for each of them.

I think people tend to but then they were younger, had better health, less responsibilities? Personally, I don't see my past through rose tinted spectacles and maybe I'm not ageing (I wish) as I remember the negative things very clearly but as something that I've moved on from and will never return to. Whilst there appear to be a lot of bad things happening in the world today, they were happening back then but we just didn't get to know about them (born in the 50s so only know of WWI & II from history.

I've no issue with gender neutral changing rooms. The changing room should have at least one attendant at all times. The individual cubicles should have lockable doors and a call button so an assistant can be summoned if necessary - many stores already are like this. If that was the case, there would be no issue, fully clothed (one hopes) people would be passing others to get to their private changing cubicle. As for gender neutral toilets, I've been in a nightclub where this was the case, except there was an additional, small urinal room, I think it even had a small but open area behind the wash bowls where anyone could comb their hair, apply lipstick etc. Back in the day, many night clubs had that anyway and some decent hotels and restaurants still do.

I'm not sure financial incentives would work; that's assuming it would be a few pennies back on bottles etc. Our local council supplies recycling receptacles for paper, glass, cans and plastic - and also for food & garden waste. The collections are weekly and not charge but very few of my neighbours bother. I also have friends who 'can't be bothered' and I don't see that changing if they have to save up the items and take them somewhere to get their cash incentive. I use my council recycling facilities and those at the local supermarkets for batteries, lamps and water filters because I hate to see waste of any kind. The council charge for removing household appliances but we have a very efficient local 'scrapper' who keeps an eye out and if it's in the garden or on the road side it's gone!

I wouldn't go for botox or surgery but other than that I will continue to try to look as young as I feel - exercise, look after my skin, hair and teeth and wear trendy clothes if I look good in them.

Addiction to Facebook is the problem, not smartphones which are just tiny pcs and phones merged. Having a smartphone gives me the ability to carry out a lot of tasks quickly. I can book holidays without having to wait for the weekend to go down to the travel agents where I can only purchase the holidays they sell. I can quickly check the weather at my destination without waiting for the TV weather. I can switch my central heating on/off whilst abroad - I don't have to phone a friend to run round to do it for me. I can order anything I want without going to a shop (although I prefer 'proper' shopping). I can 'see' and chat to friends in other countries from the comfort of my sofa. Basically, having a smartphone is very convenient. Facebook has some positives too. I have reconnected with long lost friends, which have ended up in face to face meetings. I can keep aware of what is happening in my friends' lives when I can't get to speak with them. I also get reminders of things I've done in the past. On the other hand it's the first thing I look at when I get up, followed by the news app. I can spend ages looking through '55 things that.....' And I'm sadly addicted to Solitaire and Peak but hey, I sometimes put the phone down and read my Kindle instead ;-)

Two years ago I attended the best wedding I have ever been to. It was held on the green of the small village that the couple lived in. After we all walked across the green to a large marquee. The meal was a buffet, and later we danced to a DJ. Supper was burgers and hot dogs, cooked to order. The tables, furnished with 'disposable' cloths, cutlery, plates and glasses looked as good as at any wedding. Villagers and friends had helped with all the floral arrangements which reflected the countryside theme. The ceremony was held under a canopy surrounded by old boots and Doc Martins planted with flowers. Transparent brollies were on hand for guests in case it rained (glorious all day). The couple must have saved a fortune on hiring a venue and this was returned to the guests as wine, beer and soft drinks were provided throughout the day. Of course, the following morning, all the guests who were staying locally pitched in to help pack up the marquee etc and it's possibly the inclusiveness of the event that made it so special for me.

I haven't noticed ageism, casual or otherwise, unless you count the young man who having given me a quick glance and decided I was of no interest to him, put on a sprint to get to the last seat on the train before me. At work, I most definitely haven't suffered ageism. On the contrary, no one seems to believe me when I say I will be retiring by December 2019. They just laugh it off. I agree with comments about keeping young, both inwardly and outwardly. We can't help some of the physical ailments that befall us but we can work round them. I'm gutted that I can no longer wear the killer heels that I'm known for, so I've adapted my 'look' to compensate. Sometimes I think I'm younger than my son but then perhaps now being child free, whilst he is saddled with a teenager, makes the difference. Age has given me the freedom to do what I want without worrying what others think - and I quite like being seen as a bit mad. My friend and I are going to a Steampunk weekend next year, for the second time, and will be spending the winter making our outfits. And when we go on holiday in a few weeks we are taking tiaras and flowery headbands to wear in the evening, just like the young 'uns. And, whilst I have my likes and dislikes, I embrace and accept anything new - music, clothing. I don't particularly like these funny drop crotch pants my grandson wears but then back in the 60s my mother refused point blank to let me wear white tights or paint false eyelashes under my eyes and I still can't understand why not.....

My norm is 2 mugs of freshly ground black coffee (can't abide milk) every morning then after that I drink water with maybe a redbush tea in the afternoon. Occasionally have an extra mug of coffee and I don't seem to suffer any effects. On holiday I possibly drink about the same amount but tend to drink it at all times of the day but without any negative effects