Hi Ali,
Yes a shame you didn’t have better weather but as you say nice to get away anyway and by the sounds of it you’re planning a big holiday for Colin’s 60th?! Never mind holidays though, if only we could all visit our loved ones across the globe. I’m sure you feel the same about your brother.
I was sorry to read that Jack is having a hard time and sympathise. It’s very tough. I hope things will eventually improve for him. Take care for now x

Hey Connie, it was lovely to see you just as we were leaving! Shame we hadn’t spotted your earlier in our stay or we could have had a cup of tea together. Maybe next time 🙂 Take care, love Ali xx

Hi Mary, you’re right I was very much enjoying the hot weather, but it’t taken a bit of a back seat here in the south and we had the garden completely under water on Friday! A little better but still raining today. I think Wednesday and then Sunday are meant to be fine but Colin is taking me away on Thursday early for our anniversary so I don’t really care about the weather on that day 🙂 I am SO sorry that Jack’s flat hasn’t worked out… I very much hope they will be able to move to somewhere suitable so they’re settled well in time for the baby to arrive. I know you’ll do all you can to help them. My Jack is a little unsettled at the moment and wants to move, but not that easy for him with very little work… I wish he’d come home for a bit, but at 28 he reckons he’s too old.. I am very sorry to know about the disc solar lights… That is extremely frustrating and quite unusal for us not to be able to fulfil the order. It may be worth you calling Customer Services to put yourself on a waitlist for whenever they’re coming back in. I hope the weather’s cooler for you now with bracing sea breezes and that the next four weeks pass quickly for you. Thanks as always for writing to me, love Ali xx

Oooh Merche! Cheese scones – my absolute favourite. I hadn’t even thought about making some for myself but always remember my dear friend Roz and I spending many a lunchtime in a garden centre somewhere in Bedford where they served home made scones. Gorgeous! Honey loves cheese too so I bet she’d enjoy them. So glad you’re getting to see your family too and although I’m sorry to know that your holiday was cancelled let’s just keep looking forwards eh? Love to you and yours, Ali xx

Hi there Tina, Yes, it was a bit of shame to have to leave early, but we plan to re-visit later on in July so hopefully the weather will be kinder then. I remember you saying you lived in St. Austell and I’m not surprised you visited the bay there. It was beautiful! I’d suggest you try Gatinuea’s Golden Glow faux tan – it is the one I use all the time as my legs don’t tan as fast as the top half of me! It’s really natural, and doesn’t have a smell to it which is great! I also bought the Meaco Fan which I too find really useful when it’s hot at night. I hope that you have a park or a place to walk in nearby. Take care, and thanks for getting in touch, love Ali xx

Dear Karen, isn’t it lovely to have our boys so big! I can’t believe I actually gave birth to Sam sometimes and Jack is pretty tall too! I do hope you enjoy Sweet Little Lies – let me know, as I’ve just finished Jackie’s latest thriller and moved on to Ruth Jones ‘Us Three’ which is excellent also. I was so chuffed to have an hour with Davina – she is just as nice of camera and I’ve been a fan for years. I can honestly say I could feel my muscles the following day and I thought I was relatively fit! I hope you’re well, and thanks for writing to me, love Ali xx

Hi Cherry – how wonder to be visiting The Isle of Wight! My dear old mum always wanted us to get there, but somehow in the latter years of her life we didn’t get round to it. I hope you all have wonderful time there. And you’re right, there’s always next year for travel unless we can squeeze a break in during September! I’ll pass your wishes on to Colin and yes, plans already underway for next years big birthday 🙂 Love Ali xx

Dear Jo, so glad you enjoyed the photos – I think you’d have enjoyed the cake too! And yes, it was indeed The Crown Inn at St. Ewes, how fabulous you went there the day your Colin proposed to you 🙂 I had to rush off and Google Harriet Walter and I’m now thrilled I have an idea of what you look like after all these years of corresponding! I would so like to visit the Gardens at Heligan and it’s on our list for the next visit. I too feel much the same as you about a holiday… I was fine when the sun was shining but all this rain has made me selfishly long for sunnier climes… as you say though there are far worse situations to be in and will keep everything crossed for your nephew’s wedding in September. That said, it looked as though Kathy Tayler’s son Billy’s wedding went incredibly well in spite of the restrictions so I hope it will be the same for everyone else. I’ll pass your good wishes on to Sam… you’re right he is a talented young man and he does have Dad’s smile. I hope you can join us for the Diamonique show on Tuesday and maybe think of joining me one day? Love Ali xx

Dear Anne, thanks for your kind words and compliments about the cake. I have to admit that until I got my KitchenAid I used to find it almost impossible to create a sponge that was more than a quarter of an inch thick! It does a cracking job of getting the air through the mix! It’s always nice to find new places isn’t it, and although I’d been to North Devon before it was a first for Colin. We’ll definitely be going back though. I’m glad you’ll be with me for the Diamonique show – I’ll try and give you a wave! Love Ali xx

Oooh cripes! Susan you may have a point there, but I have to say I like you am somewhat confused by the constant shifting of the rules. Mercifully we’re all well and those of us oldies have had both jabs so all good. Our break was great and it was a real treat to see old friends and family too. Just a shame the weather couldn’t have been as pleasing, but it was still good to get away. I do hope that you and yours are well, and thanks for writing to me, love Ali xx