Dear Mary, I did read this but didn’t get the chance to reply before the bank holiday weekend and so my new blog was posted! I couldn’t though not respond to your fabulous news – you’re going to be a grandmother and I’m thrilled for you Jack and his partner and also the rest of your family. I know how much she will enjoy looking after the new baby and will no doubt go the extra mile for them as you’ve always done for your own children. Great news also for John and his micro pub. It’s nice that customers have been loyal but I’m certain he provides a great service and they no doubt have missed him. Definitely better times ahead for us all.
You and I are so alike – I didn’t watch Call the Midwife last night as I’d watched two episodes the week before and both had me sobbing before I went to bed! We still haven’t managed to check out series 6 of Line of Duty as we wanted to re-watch series 5. Now the challenge is not to know who H is as everybody else in the country will know! Take care of yourself Mary and I’ll look forward to hearing from you again soon, and I promise not to be so tardy. Love Ali xx

Dear Julia so good to hear from you, and I can only apologise for missing your last comment – I will go back, read and respond. I was up against it last week with prepping for some of the shows at work and had a deadline for the new blog. Thank you though for taking time out to write to me here though.I am sorry though to know you’ve broken your toe – so sore! I did that once on a skirting board and it really hurt. I’m guessing you are already in London and with Charlotte and Ivy – exciting times ahead! How lovely that you have received Keith’s Memory Elephant with those chosen materials and his tie making it even more special for you. Another piece of your life together to hold onto.
I hadn’t realised Call The Midwife was back until Colin pointed it out last night – I am beyond thrilled. I agree with you about Adrian Dunbar in Line of Duty, but I like Steve Arnold and Kate particularly. Jed Mercurio deserves a medal for his writing! So glad you’ve had the second vaccine and I very much hope you don’t have any reaction to it this time. Lots of love to you and thanks as always for keeping in touch, love Ali xx

Sorry Susan, I think I’ve posted my reply to you at the bottom of the page! X

Hi there Erica, and that is good news! Yes we have the Amazon Kindle Fire 10 this Saturday which I will be launching on Friday night at 9pm. Glad you know you’ll be joining me then. I have been given one to try – on loan – so I’ll see how I get on. I love working with Lee Hobein too and he’s an absolute Amazon expert. Did you find anything you liked on our Diamonique Day? I actually mentioned the gold settings when I was on air for the finale. And you’re right about the prices coming down. The gold plate is very authentic but I also think the 9ct pieces are well worth buying too! I hope you’re enjoying this brief warm spell and I’ll try and give you a wave on Saturday night. Love Ali xx

Hi Susan, yes you’re right about Kathleen, and apart from being very deaf she remembers most folk’s names and where she is. She’s healthy and happy which is the main thing. Lucy definitely has seen the very negative side of social media and all she wants is the right thing for Honey so I am obviously backing her on that. Blood test tomorrow and hopefully it’ll just be the case of taking a small supplement. I was lucky enough to have a lovely long walk with Kathy last week and the sun shone all the way. She’s feeling far better than she has done for months and is looking to make a few changes in the future which I know will benefit her. I hope that all is well in your world and thanks for writing, love Ali xx

Hi there Erica, and that is good news! Yes we have the Amazon Kindle Fire 10 this Saturday which I will be launching on Friday night at 9pm. Glad you know you’ll be joining me then. I have been given one to try – on loan – so I’ll see how I get on. I love working with Lee Hobein too and he’s an absolute Amazon expert. Did you find anything you liked on our Diamonique Day? I actually mentioned the gold settings when I was on air for the finale. And you’re right about the prices coming down. The gold plate is very authentic but I also think the 9ct pieces are well worth buying too! I hope you’re enjoying this brief warm spell and I’ll try and give you a wave on Saturday night. Love Ali xx

Hi there Tina, sorry to now you too are struggling with your nails – do try the Margaret Dabbs serum and one of our nail strengtheners – I’m using everything! Great that you’ve had your hair sorted and are happy with it, and I guess the grey is all part of getting older which we all are :). I too am hooked now on Line of Duty and we are going to go back over Series 5 and then enjoy the latest Series 6. Do try Unforgotten if you’ve not seen it, as I said, great writing. Glad you enjoyed the pictures, and I hope that you’ve also had the chance to enjoy the sunshine these last few days.
Love Ali xx

Dear Jo, I had a feeling my comments about the dentist might resonate, and I too rather liked Dudley Moore, great smile and very twinkly as was Davy Jones! Possibly lagging a bit behind with the Monkees Dance session although I’d be game to try. :). VERY relieved for you about your hair. I had just got to the point where it was beginning to fill me with dread gluing it in place when I was at work, but Jo did a cracking job. So glad you enjoyed the photos of Kathleen and Corey and your words are very profound… My nails are possibly just beginning to show signs of improving and so I’m taking it slowly. Tissue paper is a very good description of them – I hope yours improve soon! Great to hear from you, take care Love Ali xxx

Hi Loraine, good to catch up with all your news although I hope it’s not too long now before you get a date for the move… I’m sure the fact the mortgage has been approved and the surveyor has been out are both good omens and that it won’t be much longer. I’m sorry to know that Les’s brother has been poorly and hope they can sort his lung problem out. Sounds like you have got some wonderful gigs to look forward to! I’ve never seen Billy Ocean or George Benson, but I remember buying Nature Boy in 1977 – a brilliant album although my favourite is Breezin’! We are keeping everything crossed that the tickets I bought for Colin’s Xmas present two years ago will still be valid. End of July The Isley Brothers at the 02. We finished the first three series of Line of Duty on Sunday evening – fantastic! Now we have to remind ourselves of Series 5 and watch the new Series 6! I love it. You take care too and thanks for keeping in touch, love Ali xx