Beckett

Thanks Avril. I'll do that. The throwaway is only 2% whereas the fill-up one, which was too strong, is 10%. I'll see what they say tomorrow but so far, me and my disposable are doing well together. Jane.xx

Thanks Eglesbrech. I will. I refuse to be beaten on this one. Have a good day. Jane.xx

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Sunday. Just been catching up with the food prices posts. My biggest beef is the cost of my favourite coffee - Nescafe Azera. We now have a smaller tin and a much bigger price. Used to be £4.70, now £6.20 - unless it's on special offer in which case it's sold out. I know, first world problems! This giving up smoking lark ain't easy! Went to collect my vape on Friday and the shop didn't have the right strength liquid - in stock again late tomorrow apparently. Anyway I bought the vape and a stronger strength liquid to keep me going until Monday. Too strong. I've been coughing non-stop since I tried it. So, I bought a minimum strength throw away bar from my local newsagent which I'm actually getting on fine with - no cough at all. I'll go back again tomorrow to the proper vape shop, have another consultation, and hopefully re-adjust to the right strength. Still determined! Good day for me today - Arsenal v Man U this afternoon and Happy Valley tonight. I hope you all have a good day today and mind the slippery pavements. Best wishes. Jane.xxx

Totally agree with everything you say SH. I loved them. I was fortunate enough to see them live - twice - once as CSN and once with Neil Young. Both concerts brilliant. I loved The Byrds too. Those harmonies were wonderful. I've been watching some old footage on them on You Tube this morning - a bit old and grainy but still very watchable. Those were the days. Jane.x

I'm Auntie Ethel too - up to a point. I do have a smart phone and am fairly proficient with technology. I use apps where I have to but not through choice. I'm booked on Britannia in October on first sitting. I'm not interested in freedom dining. When cruising alone I turn my phone off once on board, put it in the safe and leave izt there until disembarkation. If I miss a few shows whilst on board because I haven't used the app, so be it. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that it's my choice to holiday this way and I would hate my choice to be taken away from me. All us Ethels should still have a say! Best wishes. Jane.xx

You're welcome Damian. Our pets are so important to us and we owe them a lovely, happy, comfortable life. Do let us know what you find suits your Teddy best. Have a good day and a good weekend. Best wishes. Jane.xx

What a lovely post Graham. Sarah is so lucky to have you and Pauline for guardian angels. I know you will say it works both ways because you are a very kind man but I think you're both great. Good luck to Sarah next week and do let us know how she gets on. Best wishes. Jane.xx

Hi Damian. Yes, my Teddy has had various tummy issues from puppyhood really (he's 5 now). I give him Royal Canin Gastrointestinal. He has dry food for 5 days and wet for 2. It is expensive but so worth the cost. My daughter has a new pup (5 months) - another cockapoo - and her vet advised James Wellbeloved from pup moving on to the adult feed when the time is right. This vet said a definite no to the cheaper supermarket brands. The pup has been very happy on James Wellbeloved. Good luck. Best wishes. Jane.x

Thank you Frank. You are a testimony to the success of vaping. I am very touched by your message of encouragement and will try to do as well as you have. Thanks to you too Avril - for being Frank's best decision in life and for typing this message on his behalf. I'm so grateful to you both. Best wishes. Jane.xx

Thanks Kalos. I'm actually looking forward to it. Fingers crossed! Jane. Xx

Thanks Graham. Fingers crossed. Best wishes to you, Pauline, and Sarah. Jane. Xxx

Good Morning Friends Some football fans on here may remember a player called Fitz Hall. He was always known as One Size! When my youngest granddaughter was born, mum and dad couldn't decide on a name. Knowing how much I hated the penchant for the Chardonnays and Cheyannes that were popular at the time, they used to tease me with a new outrageous suggestion every day. Thank the Lord they settled on Olivia Jane! On the smoking front I've done all my research and visited a few vape shops for advice. In two such shops I was the oldest customer by about 50 years. In the third I spent an hour with a very knowledgeable lady who I hope has given the best advice. The vape I settled on wasn't in stock until Friday so tomorrow's the day. Have a good day everyone and mind how you go - it's very slippy underfoot. Best wishes. Jane. Xxxx

You beat me to it Zap. I was just going to post about Aragorn - saddo me! J.x

Thank so much for your very kind words Harry. They are heartfelt and very much appreciated. Best wishes always. Jane. Xx

How did you get my photo Phil? J.x

Dear Avril. Thank you so much for your encouragement and wise words. You are right about my recent health and associated issues, and I agree with you completely about the easier and more gentle approach. I know there is no quick fix but I am determined. Thanks to all my friends on here for your advice and support. I will report back on my progress from time to time but not too often. I don't want to bore you rigid! It's very cold down here this morning with a few flakes of the white stuff. Take care walking and on the roads today. Best wishes all. Jane. Xxxx

Thanks Kalos. The difference this time, which gives me hope, is that I actually want to stop. When I was working and under so much pressure I didn't have a hope in hell of stopping - smoking was my crutch - but now I'm starting to believe I can do it. Fingers crossed! Jane. Xx

Hi again Sarah. Yes, as Getting Warmer and Tablelamp have said, they are partially covered and largely overlooked. It was never a problem for us and the advantage is that you can stay in the shade out of sight or fry in the sun. The large balconies are fantastic spreadout areas when the pools get too crowded. Jane.xx

Brilliant. Thanks so much your very clear directions Avril. Today I'll do the research on the NHS website and tomorrow I will buy. I'll let you know how I get on. Many thanks again. Jane.xxx

Good Morning Sarah Yes, the C deck balconies are much deeper but you are of course overlooked from the higher decks. If that's not a problem for you, the deep balconies are lovely and spacious. I haven't cruised with P&O since 2019 and was on C deck with my two grandchildren while their mum and dad had an inside cabin on a higher deck. Reading through all the posts it does look like standards in general have slipped, and you, having cruised on Iona, may find Ventura a bit tired and dated. I hope not. Whenever you are going I hope you have a really enjoyable cruise. Best wishes. Jane.xx

Don't be put off. We all have lots of differing views and expectations. You have a wonderful cruise to look forward to, you'll meet some lovely people I'm sure, and you may find that Ventura is your new favourite. I've sailed on her five times and have enjoyed every single trip. Have a great time and enjoy that walk around the prom every night. Best wishes. Jane.x

Hi Sue. I can tell from your posts how worried you are about your mum. It's so upsetting to see our previously vitally strong parents reduced to pain and frailty. I'm with Kalos on this one and join him in saying "go for it". Four hours sleep is no good to anyone but Margaret Thatcher and you need all your physical strength and mental wellbeing at the moment. For what it's worth I think your manager is being very short-sighted in being so mean - especially with your excellent attendance record. As others have said, your health is what's important just now. Your anxiety is real and you don't want it to escalate. Look after yourself and don't take any nonsense from your employers. Your job will still be there after one week and you hopefully will be feeling more able to cope with it. Very best wishes. Jane. Xxx

I will Avril. It's not something I've tried up until now. Can you tell me are they still vaping or have they given that up too.? Is it 4 years since they had their last cigarette or 4 years since they stopped vaping? Thanks Avril. Jane. Xx

I hadn't heard about this until you posted Phil but I've just been listening to a guy talking about it on the radio. They are looking for 5 million volunteers from as many different races as will join. It's known that certain races/ nationalities suffer more from certain inherited health conditions (you know all this I'm sure), and have historically been reluctant to come forward. The study looks like a predictive of what future health will look like, and what research can add, taking as wide a range of participants' health needs as can be compared/ treated. Sorry, I'm waffling now but that's the gist of it. I don't think I'll bother. They probably won't be interested in an ageing overweight old bird with a slightly dodgy brain who can't seem to stop smoking at the moment! Jane.x

Lovely sincere words Molly. Jane.x