Some parts of Australia are experiencing one of the most beautiful seasons of the year- autumn. While Brisbane glowed in 30 degree heat today, here in the Central Highlands there is no doubt that the seasons have changed. Cooler temperatures, rainfall, mists and the beauty of rust coloured leaves herald…

Happy Easter Everyone! We’re going to have to be very creative in how we’ll celebrate this year in Pandemic Land but there’s one constant that we can still enjoy…CHOCOLATE. Our Viva 70 friend from Yorkshire, Julia Richards has gifted us this wonderful article about the health benefits of eating chocolate…that’s…

Have you ever written a letter to a major daily newspaper, talk-backed on the radio or made any public comment? I haven’t. (Except the VIVA 70 forum which is a very positive, supportive community and very occasionally Facebook and Insta.) Writing a letter to the editor generates a mountain of…

In the new world we live in where we have little control over events and outcomes and the lens on our older selves is shifting. Older people are described as vulnerable, at risk and need isolating for the protection of themselves and others.  While all this is true  and appropriate…

The Back-Drop Let’s stop for a moment and take stock. Worldwide people are sick and dying and our countries have adopted a fortress mentality for self protection. We’re building our walls, isolating ourselves from our families and staying well is the primary goal. All around us people are losing their…

It’s St Patrick’s Day! And while social distancing, corona virus and hand washing are front of mind we hope that in the confines of your home you’ll play some fine Irish music, have a Guinness or wine and pay homage to this Irish saint on 17th March. Clover is said…

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin… said the BBC Radio presenter on Children’s Hour, the must listen program for kids in 1950’s England. We gathered in the parlour, my sister and I and we’d listen to a story being read on radio. I remember Little Women and Enid Blyton’s…

I came across this wonderful TED talk the other day by Yvonne van Amerongen. I’m always on the look out for information about Dementia as we have a family member who lives with this dreadful illness. He’s 83 and life is a turmoil for him as his memory is diminished…

Two of my friends have died in the last two weeks. I’m here in Bali receiving messages from home. I remember my mother, who was famously caustic in her commentary on life, saying that at 80 her only social engagements were to attend funerals and do her weekly shopping. Both…