THANKS FOR WRITING TO US, WE LOVE HEARING WHAT YOU THINK
£100 letter
Take the plunge
Regarding Jenni Murray’s column in the March issue about getting fit, I have been swimming half a mile six or seven mornings a week for the past 17 years. Sometimes I walk part of the way, but I can complete my stint in about half an hour, and after a shower, I’m home by 9.30am.
I started while I was a fulltime carer looking after my mother following her stroke. It cleared my head, and I could sort out my problems. I’ve had two hip replacements and two hand operations since 2018 and have been back in the water within six weeks in each case. I am riddled with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, but regular swimming keeps me on my feet.
Many of the swimmers at my leisure centre are my age (76) or older and of all shapes and sizes. We are a different breed from the ‘gym bunnies’, who only seem to talk about their next class – body attack, body conditioning, body balance et al – while we chatter on about politics, the latest soaps and the best senior citizens’ lunches.
If I want to extend myself, I can always go upstairs to the gym and move some weights, but I’m happier swimming. So, all I can say, Jenni, is, ‘Come on in, the water’s lovely!’
Octogenarian author
Rick Stein’s comment on the effect early retirement had on his dad struck a chord with me (In my experience, March).
When my wife was admitted to a care home with dementia nine days before the first Covid lockdown, not only did I find myself alone but my primary occupation of being my wife’s carer ceased.
I had time to think, and my thoughts turned to the subject of getting old. Certain phrases kept going through my mind, so I decided to write them down.
I soon had a character, an elderly gentleman, then I gave him a location and activity. After 4,500 words, I had written a short story. Other stories followed about the same character, who was considered to be a valuable member of society, and his adventures.
The first four stories have been published in a book. The message I wished to get across to my readers is that old is not a synonym for useless. I never had any desire to write a book, so I was delighted and very surprised to become a ‘published author’ at the age of 83. My second book was published last month.
Not forgotten
I enjoyed Rose Shepherd’s article on forgotten authors (April). I have always loved Nevil Shute’s novels and have recently been rereading them, although sadly the print is rather small compared with the modern paperbacks. I also love Josephine Tey, particularly The Daughter of Time and Brat Farrar.
Fan club
I’m a huge fan of Gary Oldman (left) and was delighted to read your in
