Life Lately Edition #36 May 2025
I absolutely adore the month of May. It’s my birthday month. I was 62 on 20th May
Previous editions of things that bring me joy each month were called ‘Faffing Friday’ but writers AND readers always evolve together. I thought as my aim here is all about documenting what living a 60+ life looks like that ‘Life Lately’ makes more sense.
Let’s go then ..
I absolutely adore the month of May. It’s my birthday month. I was 62 on 20th May.
I always make a big deal about birthdays. My own and those of my family. I mentioned in my Tedx Talk last year that I truly believe every single birthday should be celebrated. One year older and bolder and glad to still be alive because we lose so many loved ones along the way. Those who haven’t been lucky enough to be notching up more birthdays.
Anyway, on to the important things .. pressies!!! My family got the memo long, long ago that I am materialistic AF when it comes to gift giving and receiving. I even send out a gift list with links of the best places to buy with best prices . Don’t judge me 🤣
TBH it makes it so much easier for them. Mr B usually throws in a red herring as well. This year it was a gorgeous holiday kaftan which was too tight across the boobs even though he’d done really well and bought the size that should’ve fitted me.
I feel very lucky and super grateful for some of the gifts I received.
Interstellar Necklace, Pearl Charm Necklace, Monster Munch Art, Press for Champagne Bell.




Happy to send links if anyone would like them. I don’t want to presume.
I celebrated my birthday in Northumberland in the beautiful village of Alnmouth. We rented a house for 4 nights Mon-Fri. I love writing travel reviews so if you haven’t seen it or caught up with it yet here it is …
Travel Diaries: A Dog Friendly Stay In Alnmouth, Northumberland, UK
When we decided on a May staycation close to home we had a fair few boxes we needed to tick.
Back tracking a bit now to early May. It got off to a really good start so I had a feeling it was going to be a good one. On the first weekend we went with our eldest, his partner and our youngest son to Pool Bridge Farm. We were there to support him practise his open water swimming as he is taking part in the Great North Swim at Lake Windermere next month.
Those of you who followed me here from Instagram and Facebook will know that mental health and suicide have deeply impacted our family. We’ve experienced the heartbreak and lasting pain that comes when someone feels they have no way out. I wrote about the grief rollercoaster a while back ⤵
Of course, I had to give it a go, too. Boy! was it cold but it made me remember how much I love a cold water swim. He’s hoping to raise £500 for #AndysManClub. I’m popping his fundraising page here for anyone who might want to support. We are very proud of him that he is doing this.
Here he is in action, practising ..
Then the following week Mr B and I had an overnight stay in York to see Gary Oldman at the Theatre Royal in Krapp’s Last Tape. It’s one of Samuel Beckett’s great monologues. We really enjoyed it. It was packed to the rafters and tickets were the hottest thing in British theatre for the almost month long stint.
Afterwards, we noticed a small queue of people forming at the stage door. A woman with an American sounding accent beckoned us over and asked did we want to meet Gary? Did we need to be asked twice? Err no. We found out a bit later she was part of his management team. I’ve got to say we both really enjoyed our brief chat with him. He seemed such a genuinely nice bloke. He did this every night it turned out. I don’t think there’s many big A list stars would do that every night for almost a month, do you?
Mr B chatted to him a bit about Slow Horses and got some insider intel 🤐
And here I am having a laugh with him.
Oh and we visited The Ghost Merchants while in York and added to my ghost collection.
There are more pics about where we stayed and where we ate over on my Insta if you’d like to know more about a visit to York.
The following weekend saw me in Leeds staying with my eldest son and his partner. I was invited to the 30th birthday party of a good friend of theirs. See .. this is how many 60+ women like me roll. This is what I’ve been saying all along since my 50s. When will media and brands catch up? We’re not dead yet!!! Partying with the young ‘uns. I love the joy and fun that intergenerational friendships bring 💗
Here’s us on the way out. I’m in a very old jumpsuit that I love to wear when I know there’s going to be a lot of dancing and larking about.
I’ve been very busy with work and also fitting in my EFT studying. I can’t begin to tell you how much I’m enjoying it. My mind continues to be blown on how well clients are responding to the sessions. I will share more about this at a later date. I continue to keep using EFT on myself. We’re all a work in progress aren’t we? I’ve also been using it from a manifestation POV by shifting my perspective on what I want as if it has already happened. It’s powerful stuff. You can catch up on the news I shared about becoming an EFT practitioner here ⤵
And that’s it … the May finish line. What a fabulous month.
A good friend of mine took me out for a belated birthday lunch on Friday. Today we’re off out for Sunday lunch. We’re getting in holiday mode. My ‘Out of Office’ is on again as we’re getting ready to head off to Ibiza - just the two of us. We’re spending a week in the North of the island so I’ll no doubt be itching to write about it when we are back.
Lots of love,
Fab little break, I need to go back for more ghosts ❤️ x
Perfect birthday month! Enjoy your next adventure! x