Dear Jo, I like you prefer to live in my own little bubble for the most part limiting myself to one new bulletin per day… I’ve not been anywhere other than home or QVC since 13th March, and am getting quite used to it. We are SO lucky that we have space around us, and so many jobs to do in the garden as Colin had been working non stop since last August… But like you I very much miss all my children and Honey .. I talk to her most days on FaceTime and we invent games and make up stories and do drawing games, but it’s the physical thing of a hug that is so hard… from all of them. I like you prefer to think that modern life is suspended… although as I saw in the recently ploughed fields life continues and the world keeps turning and we will get through this. Like you have to forget the cards you found… it’s very hurtful I know, but it’s not who you are, and not how you are with your children, and that’s all that matters. Take care and I’m sending you sunshine too, love Ali xxx

Ooh I love the sound of a courtyard Suzi. Not too dissimilar to my pots on the patio!So sorry though that you have issues with parking and exhaust fumes.. I hope it was OK this evening? I’ve just weeded fed and re-composted most of them this evening, so they should feel even happier in the sunshine tomorrow. I’m waiting on a delivery of plants I ordered from QVC on advance order for May! You take care and keep pottering – I’ll pass your love onto Honeypie 🙂 Ali xx

Dear Tina, Hello again, just have a look on the ITV Hub, as the final episode aired last Sunday. It was superb and I’m sure you’d enjoy it. Ali xx

Dear Martin, nice to hear from you. I’m guessing you’re not able to work at the moment so I do hope you’ve had some sunshine in Scotland? Yes, Colin and I had a fab time at the CMA’s – feels like a lifetime ago. Take care and stay safe, love Ali xx

Dear Judith, Lovely to hear from you, and although I’m sorry to know you weren’t successful with the local council regarding the tree root, well done John for managing to rid you of it! It’s been so good to be able to sit outside in the sunshine but glad you’re using the Ultrasun. I’m trying to be far more careful with my skin as we’ve had far more sun than we normally do, and I like the fact it’s just the one application. I’m like the sound of chess! I never learned how to play it, but used to be quite good at draughts! We’re still trying to pull the children together for a Zoom quiz… wish me luck! Yes, I’m feeling much better and I do hope that you and John remain well too. Love Ali xxx

Hi Adele, so glad you enjoy the the blogs, and thanks also for keeping in touch with me on Twitter especially on Diamonique days! I hope that you are staying safe and well, love Ali xx

Dear Tina, how lovely to hear from you and thank you for sharing your memories of your life in Malta and all those years you lived there. Thanks too for the tips re the olive trees. We did actually have a few olives on both trees last year – black olives on the tree in the photo and green on the other one. I don’t honestly think they were large enough to brine, although I’ll do a bit of reading up! I love your granddaughter’s name, and am glad that you get to spend time with her and your son. Loving the Red Button! I think most of our children once they are grown do pretty much what they decide, but I hope he’ll be happy again one day soon. I’m hoping that Charlie and I will get the chance to work together again one day soon and I too remember the biscuit incident. Did you see he and I and our ‘poo curling’ game – it’s like curling on the ice but with plastic poo – hysterical! You take care, and thanks for keeping in touch. Love Ali xx

Dear Tina, I think many of us could take a leaf out of your book and try to practice the mindfulness and separation from all we are having to contend with currently. Loving the idea of the babbling brook and the birdsong. My friend Roz who livesin Dorset has a resident owl, and I love the sound of it hooting when I stay. It seems like forever since I’ve seen her and her husband or any of my friends and family, but as you say, it won’t be too much longer before we can. Love to you and your husband, and hold off on the hair for now – maybe tie it back or wear a hat 🙂 Love to you Tina, and thanks for keeping in touch, love Ali x

Dear Susan, I agree that it’s a dreadful situation and I for one, tend to listen to the news in the morning and then try to avoid anything on TV for the rest of the day… And what you said about my mum, is exactly what my sister and I said to each other… This would have been far too much for her to have coped with, and she wouldn’t have understood why we couldn’t visit. I am so sorry for all those who are separated from the ones who need them most.. My brother keeps in touch with me on e mail, although not as often as I’d like, and now that his daughter is back in Australia I feel a long way from them all. But we phone and can now skype or Zoom so will have to persevere with that. I do hope all is well with you and yours, love Ali xx

Hi Christine, how lovely that you already have your tomato and vegetable plants growing in your greenhouse. I know that QVC have had a huge run on anything related to the garden, and sadly none of our local garden centres are open, so I have celeriac and potatoes and some herbs, but it’s better than nothing! I have ordered flowers though from QVC and have my pots at the ready. I hope the garden will keep you busy and that you won’t find the lockdown too difficult. It won’t be forever, that’s what I keep reminding myself. Take care and stay safe, love Ali xx