France

The best job in the world #14 Care and Choice

Have any of your clients inspired you?  Have they helped you map out plans for your own dotage? Ever looked at something and wondered about its significance? Answers below. In my experience the clients with large, supportive family and friends view their impending demise quite differently to those who remain alone and independent.  The ones … READ MORE

The best job in the world #12 Care and Choice.

The best job in the world #12. Care and Choice. Getting engaged.  No, not that kind although I am wearing an old engagement ring, it was never mine. More of that later.  What do I mean about getting engaged?  More accurately I could say that the emphasis should be on engaging with people. Over the … READ MORE

The best job in the world #10 Care and Choice

The best job in the world #10 Care and Choice.   December: It’s a month of mixed emotions for many. Great for most families, especially with young children but others are facing their first Christmas without someone very special. And some families misinterpret the meaning behind Boxing Day. A day of flared tempers, fisticuffs and … READ MORE

The best job in the world #9 Care and Choice

The best job in the world. #9 Care and Choice.   The right mental attitude and how your life can change in an instant.    What could Sir Ian Mckellen, the Queen and Adrian Paul (Highlander) possibly have in common? Perception, age and motivation, that’s what.  Firstly, the Queen declines, Oldie of the Year Award, … READ MORE

Care and Choice blog #8 The best job in the world.

The best job in the world. Full circle aka the boomerang effect.   The grass aint always greener but perhaps you think, like me, that it’s worth checking just to be sure.  Three years ago I very reluctantly arrived in Hastings after living very happily in France since 2003.   I was one of many commuting … READ MORE

The best job in the world. Care and Choice #6 

The best job in the world. Care and Choice #6   Moving nearer to family And To zoom or not to zoom that is the question?   Very nearly eighty years old and a friend starts to consider her options. Two grown up sons both married with children and they live about a five hours … READ MORE

In praise of smoking. In 800 words.

   Street theatre for a single observer In 800 words. In Praise of Smoking   Like Waiting for Godot with added nicotine. Location: Cagnes-sur-mer, France. Train station.  Summer 2019.    I can’t believe I’m saying this but just seen evidence that smoking is not only good for you it can build bridges too.  There is … READ MORE

Best job in the world. Care and Choice. #5

For those of you following my blog you will recall that I wanted to reminisce this month about travelling throughout the UK whilst doing care work for the last twenty eight years. However, the memory from my goody bag was looming large, especially at the moment so I decided to focus on that instead. Plus, … READ MORE

GMT and why Leeds is 6 minutes behind.

  GMT and why Leeds is 6 minutes behind. 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 remember … READ MORE

Australian advert for rubbish and Shrove Tuesday

    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, carers … READ MORE

Allez les Bleus

Allez les bleus. That is what I said  to the driver as I got off the local bus from Vence to Tourrettes-sur-Loup. My French leaves a lot to be desired but I am told I have a good accent. So as he hadn’t replied, I added, ce soir. To which he smiled, nodded and said…Je … READ MORE