There is no end to the inspiration to be had from some of the old folk I am privileged to know. Dik, who owns the cottage I stayed in on Islay and who lives in Holland most of the time (being Dutch), is now 94. He can't go to St Helena in October but is planning to do so next year! Wonderful.
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esterday a friend and near neighbour had her 85th birthday and we went out for lunch, preceded by a wee drive around Loch Earn which was looking lovely, absolutely calm and reflecting the snow-smattered landscape on its shores (sorry - didn't take photo so am using this one taken in the summer). As we drove she told me (again!) about her time as a Land Girl during the war. She's hoping to get a medal but the phone line which she had to ring to apply confused her too much with all its options and musack playing while she held on paying for a call she couldn't rightly afford anyway. She gave up. So that's a job for me tomorrow. These phone lines drive me mad but for older people they must be a complete nightmare.
On the subject of birthdays, that wonderful wildlife artist John Busby had his 80th yesterday. When he popped in to visit on New Year's Eve I was amazed to be told of the imminent birthday. John neither looks nor acts a day over 65.
Today it's the turn of a wonderful lady of 94 who spent Christmas with me and who so enjoys going out for lunch, so that's what we'll do. I wanted to see her before I leave in a couple of weeks for a month. She's wonderful and found breaking her arm in a wee fall in her house in November "inconvenient"!
All these people are real examples of how positive attitudes, interest in everything and everyone and a complete lack of self-centred-ness can lead to a good life, even in the face of the restrictions which age inevitably brings. God bless them all.
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