One benefit of a Pandemic Lockdown has been my realisation that I don’t really know the area where I live. Despite being here for over 30 years I have spent the time raising 3 children and working. So never really undertaken any solo exploring. I went where the children wanted to go – the park, … The post Newly Exploring Old Locations   appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more

As I am writing this Blog Post in June 2020 I feel sure that you will have heard the breakthrough news that a drug already in circulation could potentially lower the mortality rate of those severely affected by the Covid-19 virus. Not only is this drug, Dexamethasone, readily available it is cheap to produce. https://www.recoverytrial.net/news/low-cost-dexamethasone-reduces-death-by-up-to-one-third-in-hospitalised-patients-with-severe-respiratory-complications-of-covid-19 … The post Saying Yes to Research in the NHS. appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more

A positive of the Coronavirus Lockdown in 2020 was the opportunity to share cooking skills with the children – guess it also helped pass the time and we all enjoyed the results. We planned a weekly menu which included food that neither of them were used to preparing. Taking it in turns and introducing Themes. … The post Fun in a Lockdown Kitchen Spring 2020 appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more

The imposed ‘Lockdown’ in 2020 by the UK Government meant 2 of our 3 children had to return home. The youngest because he is a university student and all the educational facilities were closing down and going ‘online’. The eldest because she had been  working in the USA, her contract had recently finished and she … The post Covid-19 Lockdown life with Adult Children appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more

I first visited Las Vegas in 2018 – it was August, crowded and the average daily temperature was 38C. It would be no understatement to say I was not taken with it all. Yet, I had the feeling that I could have had a better experience. This year I had the lucky opportunity to go … The post Las Vegas to Phoenix Spring 2020 appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more

Is there life after retirement – could a career change in the mid 50’s encourage a longer more fulfilled working life, especially for those ‘just filling time’? The above question reminds me of how a new puppy often encourages an older dog to be more active – a renewing of the spirit. There is an … The post Attitudes to Ageing Well – some Literature appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more

An empty house following the Festive Season meant I could escape the domestic scene for the day, a break from cooking and cleaning. The weather was kind as for once the sun was shining and the sky was blue as I headed to Barnard Castle and Bowes Museum. A popular setting for frequent visits although … The post Bowes Museum and Norman Cornish, a cultural start to 2020 appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more

One concern I had about retirement was in regard to my physical fitness. A challenging stressful job encouraged me to attend the gym regularly and to walk whenever possible. I wondered if I lacked the discipline to maintain any ‘’keep fit’ regime. To encourage myself I undertook the ‘Couch to 5K’ challenge ( https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/couch-to-5k-week-by-week/) and … The post Keeping Those Legs Moving appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more

2019 has been a time of big changes, births, graduations and the death of my remaining parent. Alongside the physical tasks required following these events it is surprising how such changes alter individual life patterns and personal reflections. Our first grandchild arrived safely in May. What kind of grandparent I would be had not really … The post Collated Insights on Bereavement, Family Woes and Happy Times appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more

Yes, we are in the middle of a heatwave but I had signed up to enter the Marmalade competition at our local Agricultural show in a few weeks’ time. The Seville oranges were in the freezer – well, they have a very short season around February time and I hadn’t wanted to make the preserve … The post Marmalade,Mad Dogs and Englishmen appeared first on Perpetually49 ..read more