GMT and why Leeds is 6 minutes behind. Helen Ducal. The Time Has Come. For us baby boomers and older, this may get you humming an Adam Faith tune from 1961. I tried listening to it just now and no way. Way too many memories. This weekend we have been ‘falling backwards’. It’s how I…
By Helen Ducal Your country needs you! Home, holidays and identity. The schools are back and summer is drawing to a close but if I mentioned leaving home for two weeks you might think. Packing, sea, sun, sangria and holidays. But for many of us, returning home is a holiday. We are live-in carers and…
When asked to write a blog about Wimbledon I gave an audible sigh. That’s Wimbledon as in tennis not the town per se. Showing my age, I thought, Wombles, Cliff Richard singing and rain. So here’s the thing. I don’t really get sport. Humans run around or move slowly (argh!) and poke balls into holes,…
National carers week. 10th -16th June Always be kind and Do not test on animals. Read on to find out why these two statements are linked. I am guessing, national carer’s week, was something that didn’t even exist when I started live in care work 26 years ago. That advert in The Lady magazine and…
Not all that glitters… is gold. My trip to the Cannes Film Festival 2019 We may have #metoo but we still also have, compulsory wearing of high heels but only for women. Hmm. Every year I wonder at the spectacle that is the glitterati fest on the Cote d’Azur. This year was no exception except…
What does your Easter parade consist of? Bunnies, bonnets and boiled eggs? In recent years Easter has meant one thing to some people. Ooh, two bank holidays (in UK) and therefore double pay for many workers. I know, terribly cynical, sorry. But in the same way as with so many religious/ public holidays, consumerism and…
Firstly, we would like to say THANK YOU to those who entered our fantastic competition! The winner is Shirley Macauley. Congratulations Shirley, the National Trust Annual Membership is all yours to enjoy. We’ll be in contact very soon with more details. It was a difficult decision to make, as all entries were heartfelt and we…
Written by Bea, a Caregiver I was with a client in East Sussex. She had a stunningly beautiful and productive garden. When I was with her in the Summer, we picked 3 lbs of strawberries one morning! When we got tired of strawberries and cream, we made jam together. The client taught me all about…
By Helen Ducal What could an Australian advert for Rubbish and Shrove Tuesday possibly have in common? ***answer at the end *** Food and friendship can play a large part in any carer’s raison d’etre. So, linking Pancake day on the 5th March and International women’s day, 8th March with Women Welcome Women World Wide,…
By Wendy ‘A Country Carer’ My client was a lovely multi-talented Scot with a gentle lilt in her voice and her constant companion was a much- adored cat called Hamish. Fiona loved music, and had two baby grand pianos which, sadly, due to the progression of arthritis, were no longer played and so Classic FM…