SueC62

I voted no, not because he didn't deserve it but for two reasons. One: it will be a short lived honour due to his age. I just hope it lives on in that hospitals and/or wards are named after him as a permanent reminder. Two: his fantastic efforts have been used by the government to deflect from themselves. Even the day the honour was given, the news of it overshadowed yet another catastrophe by the government.

In Spain and Turkey, where wearing masks in public is mandatory, the pricing and supply through pharmacies is fixed by the governments and is less than 1Euro and 1TL.

Sat here in Turkey, I've been watching the UK news report on the nation's reaction to the new 'Stay Alert' message with the added freedom to go out as much as you like to exercise and it's OK to travel. Here in Turkey, as elsewhere in the Muslim world, we are entering a four day celebration of the end of Ramadan. It will be my first experience here but from what I can gather it's similar to our Christmas in that normally, there is lots of visiting friends and families, sharing meals and the children get money or chocolates. Except here, the whole country has been put on 100% curfew for the four days of the celebration. No one can leave their homes, the beaches and parks remain closed and there are massive fines and/or imprisonment for those who flout the rules. But then in the last 7 days we've had under 46% of new cases that the UK has had and less than 10% of the deaths.

Certainly not the intended age groups. Just shows that it's about the economy. Sending younger children back to school, means there is no reason for their working parents to be at home. If it was about education, then the later years' students should be going back first. Everything the UK government has done through the pandemic has been to promote herd immunity and now the focus is on the economy.

Apart from one rather delicious bottle of red that I over-indulged in one evening, I'm drinking less than I do in the UK. Partly to eek out my supplies.

I doubt there'll be any foreign holidays for Brits this year, due to the UK's appalling handling of the pandemic. We are already on a number of countries' banned lists for when they start allowing flights. The only flights I intend to take this year are one to get back to the UK to arrange to sort out my life in the UK, and then another one back to Turkey where I intend to spend most of every year. But I won't attempt either until I get a guarantee from Turkey that I'll be allowed back in.

In mid March Pegasus Airlines contacted me to offer confirm/change/cancel for my flights from Turkey to Manchester at the end of March. I cancelled and was given a full refund, including the booking fee. When Easyjet cancelled my April flights to and from Tenerife, I was only given the change/voucher option. I decided to take the voucher as it gave me more options for the future. I also decided that as the money has already gone, taking a voucher rather than a refund might help to ensure Easyjet doesn't go bust. If we want to continue to travel abroad, we need the airlines.

I 'opted in' many years ago and having discussed with my son, who thankfully thinks like me on many subjects, I'm confident he wouldn't overturn my decision. I'm also keen that my body is disposed of in the most ecological and economical manner. I'm quite dismayed at the high % of people who would opt out but then I find myself at odds with a lot of the votes on Silversurfers.

Most people aren't confused but they are angry and anxious because they know how badly the government are handling this and that idiots will take the new 'advice' as a green light to continue ignoring the UK's version of 'lock down'. I've been amazed and angered by the amount of photos of 'self isolating/social distancing' photos on FB by friends (soon to be ex-friends) who having never exercised in their life but now go out for lengthy walks.

I can't believe how anyone can say the UK government have handled it well or are doing a good job. They obviously haven't been following how other countries are handling it. The UK deliberately failed to take steps early on that could have minimised the number of cases. Even now they still haven't put in place any controls at airports. And as for this 'lock down'; no it isn't a lock down. In Turkey (where I opted to sit out the virus) and Spain (where close friends live), as well as closing all but essential shops and banks, they closed parks and beaches and put strict limits on people leaving their homes. They also introduced extremely high fines for breaking the rules. Now, both countries are starting to ease their lock downs very slightly but able to switch back very quickly if cases rise again. The UK, now instructing you to go out for exercise as much as you want, will find it very difficult to reverse that decision if needed. Thankfully it looks as if most people have decided to continue to 'Stay Home. Save Lives'.

I fully appreciate people's views that the government are doing their best but you really should compare to what other countries are doing and you'd then realise that they are absolutely NOT doing anything that could have lessened the spread. Not even testing people coming in to the UK. Not stopping flights in to the country. When the UK government were playing down the risk and allowing Cheltenham to go ahead, countries like Italy and Spain were already in a dire situation and locking people down. Turkey, where I've chosen to remain for the duration, stopped flights, tested people coming in, closed all public places including schools and restaurants and put those of us over 65 or chronically ill on 100% curfew. For the last 2 weekends EVERYONE apart from essential workers have been on 100% curfew and from 23rd to 26th which is normally a public holiday we are again on 100% curfew and that means, no shopping, no going outside your home.

I believe the government are doing everything they can to make it LOOK as if they are, whilst actually continuing their 'herd immunity' policy. My brother-in-law was hospitalised with (tested positive) Covid-19. He's now been sent home, after 7 days, without a further test, to live with my sister who is a key worker, who thankfully for others, has been off sick for other reasons.

I'm a fit, healthy soon to be 66 year old. I made a conscious decision to remain in Turkey in early March after seeing the difference in Turkey and UK government approaches to the pandemic. Since 21st March, as I'm in the '65+ or chronically ill' bracket, I've been on 100% lock down. I can not leave my home for any reason, although I can walk in the garden to get some fresh air and I do that three times a day to keep my steps up. My shopping is done for me and if I need to go to the doctor or hospital, I would have to ring the council who would arrange for me to be taken there and back. I'm more than willing to spend 4, 6, 12 months under those circumstances here but would, or could, the UK government provide the support our over 70s would need to be on lengthy isolation?

What Captain Tom has done is fabulous and needs a lasting recognition. Knighting him is OK but transient. I agree with a sentiment that every hospital should name a ward after him for a lasting tribute.

I should have said I subscribe and read digitally.

Hard copy is outdated. I subscribe to one but read most to see the various takes on a single subject. It's quite horrifying how facts are omitted or twisted to gain required reactions from the public. My 'favourites' at the moment are the 'delayed' consignment from Turkey and the EU PPE scheme.

I made an early decision not to return to the UK from my place in Turkey and cancelled my flights with Pegasus Airlines. It was very easy giving me the options for my trip of 'Confirm, Change or Cancel'. I clicked on 'Cancel' and immediately got a breakdown of the amount I was to be refunded; 100%, including booking fees. It was credited to my credit card two days later. I've noticed since though that they now seem to be offering the same as other airlines which is 'Change' or a voucher. EasyJet have cancelled my 20th April flight from Manchester to Tenerife but are only offering a change or voucher and my 8th May return flight hasn't yet been cancelled. As I already have flights booked for later in the year, which I expect to also be cancelled, I don't feel 'Change' is an option and would want a voucher for 2021 or even 2022. I've definitely lost £55 on cheap!! airport parking that I took out within the last month and didn't think to pay the £1.50 extra for cancellation cover. I can sympathise with the airlines and holiday companies wishes for people to use the change or voucher option and if we still want them to be operating in the future, we should try, if we can afford it, to not go for the refund. We've already spent the money and we aren't going anywhere for the foreseeable future. I just hope the airlines are generous with the time frame for their coupons. For anyone thinking of re-booking, I'd recommend looking at next year at the earliest. My friends in Tenerife have been on Spain's very strict lock down for a month. There is some evidence that it is starting to work but the local government are suggesting that, if it continues to improve, they may consider allowing domestic tourism from July with limited international tourism from October. Of course this will also depend on which countries they allow to fly in!

Other than when floored with a bad cold, it's never occurred to me to not change to day clothes. Staying in pjs is a treat reserved for illness.

As you might be able to see from my photo, my hair is normally short and spiky. Currently the fringe is growing over my eyes and my ears are nearly covered but due to the last good cut it's not looking too bad. I'm leaving it as it is until I can get it done professionally and at present the only scissors I have access to are a pair of dodgy kitchen scissors that won't cut paper or plastic so I'm not going to risk it! The colour is, of course, nstural ;-).

My house is a 2 bed cottage, although the rooms are quite large so there isn't much scope to downsize. My plan is to sell this year, spend the summers in my UK static caravan and the winters in my apartment in Turkey for a few years. In the summer it is rented to holiday makers and earns me 5% pa. Long term, I will spend more time in Turkey as they offer foreign property owners a resident permit without the need to be fiscal.

Newspapers, social media and online trolls report negatively about someone and most people immediately jump in and express their disgust etc at the individual being targeted. I recently read on FB the 'news' item that Tracy Brabin MP was speaking in the HoC wearing an off the shoulder dress. There were predominantly nasty remarks from most of the commenters. I thought it a strange choice and wondered why she 'chose' to wear that particular dress for the HoC. It was only after she had auctioned the dress for £20k, it transpired she was actually at a music event when she received an unexpected, urgent call to make a response at the dispatch box. Should she have refused on the grounds she was 'inappropriately' dressed? People are all too willing to accept as gospel, biased stories and jump to conclusions that allow them to criticise instead of considering if there's maybe more that hasn't been told. We are, these days, a nation that just loves to hate.

In the UK, I go to the gym where I do gentle weight lifting exercises, treadmill, crosstrainer and bike, followed by the sauna as a reward. Abroad, I go for long walks on the beach, etc. The main priority being to know where all the loos are :-).

I've had my old Kindle for many years but it's starting to act 'funny' when I download more books so I need to upgrade. I'd love a Paperwhite for reading in bed as well as on holiday. I just can't live without my Kindle :-).

Personally, I prefer Schweppes to Fevertree but I'm also up for trying own brands, particularly Lidl or Aldi. And never, ever slimline; only full fat for me. Same with the gin. Some of the Lidl and Aldi gins are better than the premium ones. My son gave me a lovely gin at Christmas that I thought was expensive, until I saw it on sale in Aldi for £16 :-). But the gin I'm drinking determines what I add. For Opihr gin, it's always ginger ale or, preferably, ginger beer. Some gins I add a splash of elderflower cordial as well as the tonic. Tanquery export strength and Schweppes tonic with ice and a slice I find quite refreshing and I'll be having one tonight.

It's also occurred to me that there are already some accepted 'weird' combinations - balsamic vinegar on strawberries and one my friend's introduced me to - horseradish sauce on poached salmon; it's really delicious.

I'd give it a try, although I wouldn't have great expectations of it. Chocolate with chilli in is quite nice. I remember when flavoured vodkas were all the rage and I bought one with red pepper or chilli in thinking it would be nice with tomato juice for a Bloody Mary. It was foul, so foul that I brought it out at a party for everyone to have a little taste and the only person who could even stomach it, won the bottle.

Hm, I joined Silversurfers Dating a few years back only to find the men were the same ones as on other sites. This is because most of these different named sites are all owned by The Dating Lab who hold a central database of 'daters'. The different named dating sites are tailored to the customer's (eg, Silversurfers) specifications. Once you've paid your money, daters in the central database that match the customer's (e,g Silversurfers) specification will then be available to you and from that pool you make your own search requirements eg age, height, eye colour, location etc. I once dated someone who I met through 'x' site but he joined via 'y' site. I've given up now and am much happier being single. If a tall, dark, 35 year old, millionaire takes a shine to me, I may reconsider :-)

I keep a good selection of heavy duty 'bags for life' and cotton shopping bags to carry my shopping and I also bought some mesh bags for fruit and veg but it's difficult getting any that isn't already pre-packed in plastic. And most fruit and veg neatly comes in it's own natural wrapping, peel, so if I'm only getting a few carrots etc I just put them in my basket as they are. But I really need to ditch bin liners in the kitchen; it's just laziness, cutting down how often the bin needs cleaning. In the bedrooms and lounge, I've lined the bins with clear plastic bags that items bought online came in. They protect the bins from any moisture and I just tip the contents in to the kitchen bin liner when I'm emptying it. I need to just take all the bins directly to the outside bin, really.

Absolutely not. Big Ben should only 'bong' for joyous occasions. I've 'bunged a bob' to worthy causes instead.

In theory once a week but it depends how many nights I've slept at home. If I've been ill with a cold, the bed is changed as soon as I feel better. I always turn the bed down in the morning to air and make it after an hour or two. I never, ever iron sheets or duvet covers but after drying, fold them carefully to avoid creases before putting away. I do iron pillow cases.

Being single I have the luxury of sleeping in which ever part of the bed I choose; generally middle towards which ever side is nearest the door.

After the year I cancelled a social outing to get my cards done, most of which were to be handed to people I see all the time, I now only send cards, with a letter, to those friends who I have no contact with in the year but want to keep in touch. All the others I see personally or communicate with on Facebook.

I'm another in the Remain camp. I hadn't realised that Silversurfers was a pro Brexit organisation. I had thought it was for ALL of the older generation, whatever our individual views on varying subjects. Popcorn has done nothing to deserve such a response from you. All he's done is offer informed debate.

The last package I went on, I couldn't see the point. We weren't accompanied to our accommodation, never saw a rep all the time we were there, they didn't post our leaving details (luckily because I mainly do my own thing, I sussed it out but my friend was panicking), we were left to make our own way to our return pick up point. All the real work was left to the coach driver and the only time we saw a rep was leaving the airport on arrival, who only directed us to our coach and on return, one who directed us to check in. Some years ago, I started doing my own thing after I found it impossible to get a holiday booking for one online (I'll admit this seems to have changed now) and the 'service' at the travel agents wasn't very good. I'm fortunate now that most of my trips abroad are flight only.

I've never had a dog and can't see me ever having one. I'm far too busy and want to retain the freedom to do and go where and when I want without restrictions. I go to the gym regularly which offers more varied exercise.

By chance my (48 year old) son and I were discussing smacking, the cane, slipper etc last week. The problem with implementing a ban is that parents who issue a smack calmly and as a last resort will obey the law. Those who hit and beat their children in temper are unlikely to pay any attention to the law.

When I was working, I regularly had calls whilst driving and I found them totally different to having conversations with a passenger. With a call, somehow conscious concentration was on the call rather than the road. After, I'd often wonder how I'd got to where I was on the road. With a passenger or listening to the radio, concentration was still directed to the road. I'd often have to ask the passenger what they'd said, as I'd realise I hadn't been listening. I can't explain why there is a difference but there is. I now avoid calls when driving.

Goodness me, no way! I hold my best concerts when I'm driving :-)

I make smoothies and fridge porridge. Both are great for using up bits and pieces of fruit and nuts to stop waste. I also put rocket in smoothies to use up that. I also buy and freeze fresh fruits and veggies when they're reduced.

We do have a Neighbourhood Watch scheme but I've not heard of this other scheme. I do attend ward forum meetings and will ask there.