Website for the over 60s   November 2009
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Camera & Computer Tips
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Write a Star Letter

And Win a Kettle from Wilkinson

Write a Star Letter and you could win a Russell Hobbs Kettle from Wilkinson

We want to hear from Sixtyplusurfers! Write this month's Star Letter and  you could  win this fantastic Russell Hobbs Kettle from Wilkinson.

Send in your handy tips, recipes, funny stories, anecdotes, poems, photographs or tell us about yourselves. You can also tell us about your holidays, feelings about retirement and staying young at heart when you're 60 plus.

We'd love to hear from you! One lucky reader will win a Russell Hobbs Kettle from Wilkinson.

This classic Black Russell Hobbs Stylus Kettle has a capacity of 1.7 Litres. Perfect for making a delicious cup of tea or boiling hot water in the kitchen, this is just one of the many fantastic electrical items from Wilkinson.

Wilkinson stocks a full range of kettles, microwaves, cameras, printers, fridges and washing machines. They offer fantastic value on a great range of quality brands.

For more information about Wilkinson products click on www.wilkinsonplus.com and for stockist details call: 08444 778877

  For Your Chance to Win

Send in your letters, photographs,  recipes, amusing stories, poems,  and handy tips, for your chance to win. Or write a letter using one of the suggestions from below. We'd love to hear from you!

This month you can write in about the following subjects:  
1. Tell us all about a special birthday or anniversary which you have recently celebrated
2. Tell us about your interests and hobbies.
3. Tell us about your family, grandchildren, or relatives
4. Tell us how you are spending your retirement or spare time and what you like best about it
5. Tell us how you stay young and fit during your retirement
6. Tell us about a special day out and why you enjoyed it
7. Share your handy tips and recipes or money saving ideas
8. Tell us about yourself, where you are from and what you like about Sixtyplusurfers!
 

Please send your letters, pictures, recipes and funny stories to sixtyplusurfers@hotmail.co.uk clearly marked Readers' Letters, together with your name and postal address. Any attached photographs should be sent in jpeg format and you could win this month's fabulous Star Letter Prize!
 

Win a Fridge Magnet!

Win a Sixtyplusurfers Fridge Magnet

Sixtyplusurfers is giving away these great Fridge Magnets! We are offering all runners up to the Star Letter Competition one of these fantastic Fridge Magnets.

Pin it on your fridge to keep all your messages together - and use it to remind you to take a look at the Sixtyplusurfers website.

So get writing. Now! Everyone who writes a letter and gets it published on this page wins a prize!

We can send magnets anywhere - within reason! So don't worry if you live overseas!
 

Readers' Letters
Have Your Say!

Dear Sixtyplusurfers

I wanted to say thank you all so much for publishing a wonderful online magazine. Okay technically I am not over 60, still got a few more years to go, but I love to read all of your stories and words of wisdom.

I enjoy hearing about days gone past as I think they shape the future and I think it’s important that younger people appreciate everything that has been done to make the world what it is today. So I wanted to say thank you to all of your readers and yourselves for doing so much for us all.

I lost my mum a few years ago and am currently planning my wedding. My partner works as a Policeman and is on duty a lot, but that can sometimes be quite lonely without anyone to ask advice from.

We are planning a traditional Scottish wedding and I wonder if any of your readers have any tips for me on how I can make the day really special, traditional and on a budget?
 

I am keen to learn new things and might even try to bake my own cake. Although I quite like the kitchen the way it is and I am a disaster in there ha ha!

Many thanks

Sarah x

Sarah Stocks, Fife

Dear Sarah

Thank you for your kind words about Sixtyplusurfers. You don't have to be 60 to enjoy visiting our site.

We wish you all the best for your forthcoming wedding. And we do hope you have a very enjoyable day.

If any readers have some tips for Sarah to help her enjoy her traditional Scottish Wedding, please write in and we'll feature them on this page.

Jenny Itzcovitz, Features Editor
 

Dear Sixtyplusurfers

All The Queen's Men
 
The guns have fallen silent
Nothing but peace all around
Then the men came marching in
They know their on familiar ground
 
Left, right, left, heads held up high
Marching onward, filled with pride
Commands not sought, none were given
Tears in their eyes, hard to hide.
 
Officers marched beside their men
Corporals and sergeants marched as well
They marched away from where they died
Marched away from a living hell
 
Now they will march for ever more
For soldiers they will always be
And on Remembrance Day they'll say
Those people there are remembering me

 

Barry L J Winters, Devon

Dear Barry

Thank you for your  though provoking poem. We'll always remember the people who fought for our country with pride and gratitude.

Jenny Itzcovitz, Features Editor
 

Dear Sixtyplusurfers

I am due to retire in December after a long and busy working life in a homeless hostel.

I have learnt a lot from my experiences at the hostel, and have moved people on into their own independent accommodation.

I have also helped them in to training courses and work, which has built up their self esteem considerably.

We even had an opera workshop and they actually went to see two operas at the Colosseum in London – what a thrill it was for them all.

I am going to enjoy my retirement – by spending more time with my 5 grandsons, and visiting out apartment in Puerto Pollensa Mallorca more often.

Anne Morris, Sussex

Dear Anne

We wish you all the best for your retirement. You certainly deserve a rest after all your good work at the hostel. Let us know how you get on.

Melissa Braiden, Competitions & Letters
 

Dear Sixtyplusurfers

I was assisting an elderly lady with dementia to the toilet. The cubicle contained a toilet and a bidet.

The elderly lady looked at one and then the other several times, before saying to me, "Isn't this nice dear!"

She then pointed to the bidet and said, "You can sit there, and I'll sit here, as she pointed to the toilet, and we can both go together."

Her innocence sure brought a smile to my face, and it cheered up another dull day.

Alison Campbell, London

Dear Alison

Thank you for sharing your funny story. Laughter is always the best medicine.

Kitty Jacobs, Letters & Admin
 

Dear Sixtyplusurfers

I hope you don't mind an imposter writing to Sixtyplusurfers!  I'm actually only a young whippersnapper of 54, but with my husband fast approaching the magic age (he's 60 in January)we're both giving the matter a bit of thought.  His has so far extended to the guest list for his party, but I have a little longer to plan.

Inspired by my elder daughter, who has a major birthday next year and has compiled a list of 30 things to do before she's 30, I have made a start on my "60 before I'm 60" list.  It should be easy (says she with fingers firmly crossed behind her back) - after all, I've over 60 months to complete them all.

At the moment, the first item on the list is "think of 20 more things to do", but I'm having such fun dreaming them up!

They range from:

* The expensive "do the Sidney Harbour Bridge walk", "go on a cruise",

* To the optimistic - "have a photograph published", "win a major competition prize",

* To the long-overdue - "finish the writing course started in 2001", "...and the tapestry started in 1974",

* To the mildly adventurous - "go up in a helicopter" "..and in a hot-air balloon",

* To the educational - "see all the Times 60 best films", "read 10 classic novels",

* To the frivolous - "eat nothing but chocolate for a day", "go on a ghost watch",

* To the self-indulgent - "read a 500 page novel in one sitting", "have a day at a health spa",

* To the challenging - "go on a protest march", "run a half-marathon".

I've enjoyed compiling the list as much as I'm sure I'll enjoy ticking off the items.

But one thing the whole exercise has taught me is to count my many blessings - when I started thinking about the things I want in life, I realise I already have most of them, or have already done them.  

My list is the icing on a very large and delicious cake. When I googled "bucket lists" (things people want to do before they kick the bucket), I was humbled by people wanting to "find my father", "heal the rift in my family", "eat in a restaurant", "travel to a foreign country". 

Sometimes we just need to sit still for a while and take stock of what we have.

Maggie Bickerdike, Halifax

Dear Maggie

Thank you for telling us about your list of things to do before you are 60. What a great idea. It gives you so much for you to look forward to. And also so much for you to appreciate along the way.

And don't worry about not being in your 60s. Sixtyplusurfers is enjoyed by all ages.

Jenny Itzcovitz, Features Editor
 

Hello Sixtyplusurfers

I hope you like my story:
                              
My Darling Wife and Household Chores
 
My darling wife, Sarah, has a habit of doing loopy things when she is cleaning the house, I first came across this problem when I was emptying the washing machine and found inside, a fold up umbrella!!
 
Upon questioning  why she  had  put  it in there, she answered, "because it was dirty, of course!!"
 
I should have known better than to ask...
 
The following week as I was emptying the washing machine again, I found to my amazement wrapped up in the duvet covers, - the bedroom TV controls!! which had been 'lost' the week before, unfortunately they had not survived the 'Final Spin'.
         
Upon questioning why she had done this, Sarah answered ... "because they were dirty, of course!!"
 
I should have known better than to ask..
 
About a month later, as I was emptying the dish washer, (my life consists, I think, of emptying all things electrical) and much to my astonishment pulled out the.....
 
TOILET BRUSH and CUP thing it goes in!!
 
I quoted Victor Meldrew, "I don't believe it!" as I burst into the living room wielding the Toilet brush. "Why have you put the Toilet Brush in the dishwasher????"
 
Sarah answered matter of fact, "Because it was dirty, of course!"
 
I should have known better than to ask.
 
I put all the contents of the dishwasher back, and gave them two extra washes, and as yet I have had no side effects.
 
And I now fill and empty both the washing machine and dishwasher, just to be on the safe side.
 
Richard Wain

Dear Richard

What a funny story. Your wife certainly likes to have a very clean house!

Do any other readers have funny cleaning stories?

Murray Jacobs, Editor

Hello Sixtyplusurfers

Here is a poem I wrote, which takes me back to our family days at home.
 
Friday night was Mother's stew, which all of us adored
Tender beef and veg galore, mouths watered as she poured
The dumplings that accompanied, were light as light can be
Please Mum, I'm your favourite, is there any more for me?

Gloria Christiansen

Dear Gloria

Thank you for sending in your excellent poem. It sounds like you have wonderful memories of your Mother and her home cooking.

Look out for this month's poetry competition. More details can be found on the
Christmas Competitions page.

Jenny Itzcovitz, Features Editor

Dear Sixtyplusurfers

Do you ever have competitions for poems?

Barry L J Winters

Dear Barry

Thank you for your excellent idea. As so many of our readers are sending in their excellent poems we will be running a special poetry competition this month on the Chat & Socialise page.

If you would like to enter a poem into the Sixtyplusurfers Poetry competition simply write your poem as a blog and then post it on the Chat & Socialise page.

Full instructions can be found on the Christmas Competitions page.
 

Competition Winners
From the September issue of Sixtyplusurfers

The Winner of the Kodak Video Camera is:
Peter Collins, Nottingham
The answer is 1,000 words

The Winner of the Nintendo Competition is:
Sonya Brady, Birmingham
The answer is Mr Bean as all the other celebrities are famous for their intelligence

The Two Winners of the Bushnell Binoculars are:
Jeremy Baker, Farnborough and Michael Julian, Nottingham
The answer is November 2008

The Winner of the Garden Tools from Wilkinson is:
Wendy Mann, Bedfordshire
The answer is that a cloche is a cover to protect plants

The Four Winners of the Vibrating Alarm Clock with Pillow Shaker from Doro are:
Paul Maxwell, Dumfries and Galloway; Anne Hogarty, North Somerset; Yvonne Frost, Stevenage; and Katherine Daniels, Devon
The answer is Morecambe and Wise

The Winner of the James Martin Hand Mixer is:
Debbie Gillespie, Glasgow
T
he answer is 16 speed settings

The Winner of the Hoover Freejet 3in1 is:
Ruth Miller, London
T
he answer is Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen

The Winner of Wogan's Perfect Recall is:
Gill Corbitt, Middlesbrough
T
he answer is Channel 4

The Two Winners of the Paddywax Candles are:
Linda Taylor, Warrington; and Jo McPherson, West Sussex
T
he answer is Redcurrant, Cinnamon Bark and Oak Wood

The Five Winners of the Polar Bear Making Kit from Panduro Hobby are:
Amy Stupple-Bagnall, Milton Keynes; Mary Barrett, Peterborough; ; Jenny Hampshire, Leeds; Dorothy Merrett, Cumbria; and Debra Applegate, Norfolk
T
he answer is Linda Barker

The Winners of the Dremel Hobby Kit are:
Margaret Lycett, Walsall and Esther Selhi, Kent
The answer is October 31st

The Winner of the Star letter is:

George and Heather Brown
George and Heather win an Unearthed Food Hamper

Winners of the Newsletter Competition are:
Jennifer Thorpe, Coventry; Amanda Rose, Lancashire; Sandra Foreman, Wirral; Gordon Abbott, Derbyshire; and Jackie Harris, Brighton
The winners receive Michael Bolton 'The Ultimate' Greatest Hits CD

The Winners of the EASI-TWIST Jar and Bottle Opener are:
Matt Hockney, Rosemary Manthorpe, Helen McCarron, Mr H. Ho, Joanne McQueen, Patricia Foreman, Ed Hughes, Shirley Harpley, Mrs E Jessop and Faridah Brooker

The Winner of the Relaxing Break to Haulfryn Groups Edgeley Country Park is:
Stephanie Emmerson, Scarborough

The Winner of the Doability Rollator is:
Diane Halliwell


If you would like to write a Star Letter or enter one of our competitions contact us at: 
sixtyplusurfers@hotmail.co.uk

If you have problems entering any of the competitions featured on  Sixtyplusurfers please contact us at:

murrayhj@live.co.uk
jennyitz@hotmail.com

We'd also love to hear from you if you have any article ideas, pictures, funny stories, poems, handy tips or want to write in and tell us about yourselves.
 

Contact Sixtyplusurfers

Contact Sixtyplusurfers

We really enjoy reading your letters and receiving your pictures. It's great to hear from you. We want to keep this page buzzing with letters. So keep writing in with your news!

Just take a few minutes to tell us about yourselves, where you come from or where you live. You can send in a funny story, a recipe, poem, handy tip, your ideas, views or thoughts about retirement, or tell us a joke.

The Sixtyplusurfers Team
The Sixtyplusurfers Team

Contact us by email:

Murray Jacobs
Editor

murrayhj@live.co.uk

Jenny Itzcovitz
Features Editor

jennyitz@hotmail.com

Kitty Jacobs
Letters and Admin

Sixtyplusurfers@hotmail.co.uk

Melissa Braiden
Newsletter, Competitions & Admin
Sixtyplusnewsletter@hotmail.co.uk

 

Don't Forget to
 Chat & Socialise

Don't forget to visit the Chat & Socialise page

Don't forget to visit the Chat & Socialise page. It's a great chance to meet other readers, take part in live conversations, put up your own blogs and have debates.

It's very easy to join in. Simply click on the words Chat & Socialise and this will take you straight to the page. Then fill in your profile and you're ready to get started.

To fill in your profile just enter a 'chat name' and fill in a few details (we will not share this with any other parties). Then tell us a little bit about yourself. For example your hobbies, interests, likes and dislikes. If you have a photograph of yourself then you can also add this in as well.

If you don't have a photograph or a digital camera you can use a picture from Google images. These can be found at www.google.co.uk and we suggest using a picture that tells us a bit about you.

Perhaps a flower or an animal if you like wildlife, or something which shows one of your hobbies such as a book or a camera.

Once you have filled in your profile then you can take part in some of the conversations on our Message Board. We've already started some threads. But if there's a topic you want to talk about then why not start your own conversation! The Message Board is just for fun and a great way of sharing your views.

The Chat & Socialise page also allows you to share your favourite photographs with other readers. So if you have been on an interesting day out or have some beautiful flowers in your garden - then send them along to the chat page. And include a short title to explain what the photograph is about.

If you have a lot of information you want to include then why not write a blog. This can take the form of a personalised diary. Or you can include daily updates on what you are doing.

This month we're giving away two Bushnell Binoculars on our Chat & Socialise page.

You'll need to visit the page to be in with a chance of winning.

Good Luck!
 

Sixtyplusurfers
Liability

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information on Sixtyplusurfers is accurate, neither the Editor nor contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors, views or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Sixtyplusurfers does not officially endorse any advertising material included on this website. You may occasionally be contacted by the sponsors of some of the competitions which are being run independently of Sixtyplusurfers.

Please specify on your entry if you prefer to opt out of any future correspondence.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic or otherwise without prior permission from the Editor.

All rights are reserved

Follow Sixtyplusurfers News on Twitter

Sixtyplusurfers has its own page on the Twitter social networking site.

Follow Sixtyplusurfers on Twitter

Follow Sixtyplusurfers by clicking on the link www.twitter.com/Sixtyplusurfers
 

Calling All Poets

Write a Poem for Sixtyplusurfers

Write a poem for Sixtyplusurfers

Write a Poem for Sixtyplusurfers and you could win a herb pot

We love receiving your poems every month on the Sixtyplusurfers Letters page. So this month, we are running a special competition together with the Stewart Company for the best poem. The lucky winner will receive a herb pot.

We're looking for a well written poem - that should be all your own work. The poem can be about yourself, the Winter, Christmas, your war time experiences, an observation, a loved one, your garden, flowers, grandchildren a pet - anything you like.

The best poem will win this Stewart Herb pot

The best poem will win this Stewart Herb Pot.

But this time, we are asking you to put your poem up on the Chat & Socialise page so that everyone can read it and enjoy it. You can enter as many times as you like.

Your poem should be entered for the competition in the form of a 'Blog'. If you are not already a member you will need to log in and set up a profile on the Chat & Socialise page first, in order to take part.

We will then choose the best entry at the end of the month.

Full instructions can be found on our brand new Christmas Competitions page.

Good luck!
 

                Competitions & Letters

Win a Digital Radio and Cerumol Olive Oil Ear Drops 

Win a Digital Radio and Cerumol Olive Oil Ear Drops

Just look at the pictures below and tell us who is
the Odd One Out!

 

Celebrity Odd One

Out Competition

  

 Paul McCartney Tina Turner

 Edwina Currie Tom Jones


Take a Look at These Famous People

 

Then tell us who is
the Odd One Out?

 

  a) Paul McCartney 
  b) Tina Turner
  c) Edwina Currie
  d) Tom Jones

 

The Prize for the Winner of our Celebrity Odd
One Out Competition

Win a Digital Radio
 and Cerumol Olive
Oil Ear Drops

Win a Digital Radio and Cerumol Olive Oil Ear Drops

Sixtyplusurfers has teamed up with Thornton & Ross to offer two lucky readers the chance to win a DAB Radio and Cerumol Olive Oil Ear Drops.

  

The radio revolution is here and new digital technology means improved listening, better sound quality and greater convenience. Exactly the same things could be said about new Cerumol Olive Oil Ear Drops – the natural way to gently soften and remove stubborn ear wax.

 

Made with medicinal grade olive oil, Cerumol Olive Oil Ear Drops provide a safe and convenient way to deal with stubborn ear wax.  The treatment pack comes complete with a dropper and usage instructions to remove both the hassle and uncertainty of trying to use food-grade olive oil from a large bottle which you may find in the kitchen cupboard.

  

Cerumol Olive Oil Ear Drops are available from all pharmacies and some supermarkets in the UK, priced at £3.42. 

 

For more information and stockist details for Cerumol Olive Oil Ear Drops contact Thornton  &  Ross on Tel: 01484 842217 or visit www.cerumol.co.uk

How to Enter the Competition

When you have decided which famous person is the odd one out in our Celebrity Odd One Out Competition just send in your answer, together with your full name, postal address and telephone number to the Sixtyplusurfers inbox at: sixtyplusurfers@hotmail.co.uk

 

Note: You do not have to be aged over 60 to enter our competitions!

 

You can also go in for more than one competition on this page (but do make sure they are clearly labelled).

 

*This competition is open to both our
UK and overseas readers

 

Readers' Letters

Sixtyplusurfers Star Letter 

 

Dear Sixtyplusurfers

 

Monument Valley

 

Way out West in America’s
National Parks

 

It’s thought by many there is a bit of nostalgia somewhere in all of us and when a group of ‘cowboy country’ lovers got together recently, it was with the determination to visit the USA and see something of those great tracts of land seen so often in 101 great western movies of the past.  America has some 388 National Parks, many of them full of incredible natural scenery and world famous monuments.  It was a call to the wild one could not resist.

 

In two weeks we could barely scratch the surface of so many areas of outstanding natural beauty, but by journey’s end the party had explored some ten National Parks and covered over 2000 miles.  Quite a holiday and the certainly the experience of a lifetime.

 

Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore

 

Beginning near Rapid City, the State of South Dakota sees the famous Black Hills rise out of the flatness of the prairies.  Relatively unpopulated, it is the home of Badlands National Park and the iconic Mount Rushmore.  Badlands was the location of ‘Dances with Wolves’ and is a beautiful mix of deep gorges and grassy topped buttes.  Mount Rushmore with its huge stone carved images of four USA Presidents is every bit impressive as the countless photo images seen before. 

 

From there it was on through the sleepy town of Deadwood, home of Wild Bill Hickok and into the cowboy state of Wyoming, where sheep still outnumber people four to one.  Beyond the plains, is America’s first and perhaps most well known National Park, Yellowstone.  This is a wonderland of spouting geysers, like ‘Old Faithful’ and numerous bubbling mud pots, a testimony to the volcanic and geothermal nature of the Park.  Add the herds of elk and wild buffalo which roam free and Yellowstone is not a place to miss. 

 

Old Faithful at Yellowstone

Old Faithful at Yellowstone

 

Beyond Yellowstone, the party swung south through the State of Idaho, on to Grand Teton National Park with its soaring peaks and glaciers and arrived at Salt Lake City in Utah.  This well established settlement is famous for Temple Square, the centre for contemporary Mormon worship and administration.  Beyond the city, is the Great Salt Lake itself one of America’s largest natural water attractions.

 

Arches National Park
Arches National Park

 

The scenery alters dramatically as one drives through Utah’s multi-coloured Canyonlands and on to Arches National Park.  Another incredible experience awaits the  traveller as you move freely among giant windows and stunning arches carved out of red sandstone.  Next it was on to Colorado and Mesa Verde National Park, the site of some incredible and still intact cliff top dwellings where native Indians lived and farmed until the 14th century. 

 

Continuing south, the party were able to gain permission to drive into the legendary Monument Valley, the backdrop of so many famous western films.  One can easily visualise John Wayne riding the trails between the famous red sandstone buttes that tower over the valley floor.  Now home to the Navajo Indians and their sheep, the Valley is a truly awesome place and worth the long journey over to the States alone.

 

Indian Plains of Wyoming
Indian Plains of Wyoming

 

A relatively short journey to the west and the intrepid traveller soon reaches the southern rim of perhaps the world’s greatest natural wonder, the Grand Canyon.  The Colorado River took over 7 million years to carve out this awesome spectacle, which is over a mile across and almost the same distance in depth.  To see the Canyon at sunrise or sunset is an uplifting experience due to its ever changing colours and the green river snaking far below.  Some of the party flew over the Canyon in helicopters and judged it rightly as the experience of a lifetime. 

 

The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon

 

Reluctant to leave Arizona, the party nevertheless had to return to Utah, but were well rewarded with the breathtaking sights and colours of Bryce Canyon National Park.  Here, the hand of nature has carved out an immense amphitheatre of pink coloured pinnacles and spires which turn deep red as the sun begins to set. There is a stirring of the soul with every fresh corner turned. 

 

Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon

 

Our final National Park before flying home from the relative brashness of Las Vegas, was Zion, with its sheer cliffs and bizarre rock formations.  It is unique in that you can drive along the valley floor adjacent to the Virgin River and marvel at the awesome sculptures towering above you.

 

This memorable trip reached altitudes of over 12000 feet and demands a certain level of fitness, but as one eighty year old accompanying us indicated, it doesn’t get much better than this.
 

Heather and George Brown

Dear Heather and George

Thank you for telling us about your fabulous holiday and sharing your excellent photographs.

We are delighted to let you know that you are the winner of this month's Star Letter competition. Your prize is a Luxury Food Hamper from Unearthed.

Murray Jacobs, Editor
 

  Dear Sixtyplusurfers
 

Doesn’t have to cost the earth

 

Our anniversary wasn’t long ago and with it being the credit crunch we decided not to buy each other a present.


So to my surprise my lovely husband came down with something wrapped and of course I felt guilt has I hadn’t got him anything.

 

I opened it and he had made a collage of photographs of me and him through our years spent together. It now stands neatly on our dresser.

 

But inside was a card in which he had written.


To my lovely wife.

May many more pictures of me and you appear and may they all be healthy and joyful ones.

 

Your loving husband xx


Such a simple uncostly thing made my day

 

Harline Parkin, Sheffield
 

Dear Harline
 

What a wonderful story. The best things in life are always free. We hope you had a very special anniversary.


Kitty Jacobs, Letters & Admin
 

  Dear Sixtyplusurfers

 

Is there anyone like me?

 

Is there anyone like me? One day I am absolutely full of life, the next it almost feels as if I am lifeless. All I really want to do is sleep.

Maybe it’s my age, I do not know. It feels as if my get up and go, is all gone. Then as if it all never happened, I am back to doing whatever I can around the flat, looking for jobs to do.

I am retired and disabled at 66 years old. If I did not push myself to do things to raise money and have my computer to occupy my mind, I do not know where I would be.

But I was just wondering is all this just me? Or are there other retired people in the same boat.

I go walking, swimming. I am not unhappy, exactly the opposite. When the get up and go comes back to me, it literally feels like an injection in the arm and I feel 30 years or so younger.

I do love life. Is all this normal? If it is it's not so bad really. It's making the best out of life, such as it is I suppose.

John Fairfax

Dear John

As you get older, you will expect to feel more tired. And don't feel guilty if you need more sleep and perhaps a nap after lunch.

However, if you are more tired than usual or concerned, I would suggest you see your doctor for more advice.

Swimming, walking, charity work, and relaxing at the computer are all good forms of exercise and mental stimulation.

Do other readers suffer from tiredness and listlessness some days and then another day feel full of life and vigour? We'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Jenny Itzcovitz, Features Editor

 

  Dear Sixtyplusurfers

 

Every day we hear that someone has seen a UFO(unidentified flying object). Over the years there must have been hundreds, if not thousands, of reported extraterrestrial sightings as well as the unreported ones.

Most people believe there must be other life forms in outer space but could all these sightings be objects from the same planet? If so, why have they visited us 100's of times? What do they want from us? And why haven't they made themselves known to us in all that time?

 

But could these sightings be UFO's from 100's of different planets. If that is the case we should be afraid. Very afraid. To think that there could be 100's of planets out there with life forms capable of space travel and visiting earth is a frightening thought. And if these reported sightings are true, why haven't any aliens accidentally crashed or made contact or landed in my back garden or landed on a motorway or in Tesco's car park! And why are most seen at night. (Crafty these aliens. They only come out at night. When it's dark!).
 

The upside to this is that space is a big place so that if there are aliens out there, why do they have to be the same size as we are, as lots of reports tell us? There is no reason why they can't be smaller than us. Much smaller. (Look how intelligent ants are).

But then again they could be much bigger. And why do they have to be hostile just because mankind is hostile. If we are to believe that aliens make crop circles, maybe that's all that they do in their lives, creating beautiful designs. (Beside visiting earth
).

 

Myself, I don't believe in aliens. But anybody can imagine a shape in the sky is a UFO, if they want to believe it's a UFO. (Star Wars, Star Trek and Stargate fans take note).

Let's worry about our big problems on earth instead of looking for bigger problems off earth.

Stuart Cooper, Staffordshire

 

Dear Stuart
 

You have certainly raised some interesting points. What do other readers believe about UFO's? Has anyone seen any aliens? Or do you think just it's a lot of nonsense?


Murray Jacobs, Editor
 

  Dear Sixtyplusurfers

  The Bonfire

The evenings were slowly getting dark
Stars appeared, twinkling and bright
The pile of wood grew higher and higher
Soon it would be bonfire night
 
The day dawned bright and clear
The last of the wood collected
Fireworks were under lock and key
Safety had not been neglected
 
Evening approached, excitement rose
Quite a large crowd had gathered
Now, at last, a spark appeared
'It's lit, it's lit,' a shout was heard
 
Fireworks now lit up the sky
Colourful raindrops falling down
Crackerjacks went bang and sparklers fizzed
And catherine wheels went round and round.

 

Barry L J Winters
 

Dear Barry
 

Thank you for sending in your poem about Guy Fawkes Day. It's lovely to watch the fireworks and see the wonderful colours light up the sky.

 

Jenny Itzcovitz, Features Editor
 

  Dear Sixtyplusurfers

 

I'm 62 and have recently retired - giving me more time to enjoy my favourite hobby - visiting Theme Parks and riding Rollercoasters. I belong to the European Coaster Club and have travelled all over Europe with them and independently meeting lots of interesting people and having great fun.

I have overcome my fear of heights and have slowly worked my way up so that I now take even the most extreme coasters in my stride (well almost).
 

I have visited the USA - a lifelong ambition - and ridden the tallest and fastest coasters in the world. Is it a hobby just for young people - NO - but like me you might get into it when you have to start taking your children to Theme Parks (I was over 50 when I rode my first rollercoaster). My children have now grown up and don't need Dad.


The history of the parks and rides are fascinating and often reflect the changes in social and economic history of the area. So, in the winter months, when parks are closed, there is plenty of reading and watching of DVDs to do. Plus, of course, chatting by email etc with the many friends across the world that I have made.


Well I must break off now to plan my trips for next year.

 

Bob Clark

 

Dear Bob
 

You certainly have a very exciting hobby! It sounds lots of fun too. And great that you have met so many interesting people.

 

We'd love to see some photos - if you have any of some of the rides. Especially the high ones! It would be lovely if you could post a few on our Chat & Socialise page.

 

Jenny Itzcovitz, Features Editor
 

  Dear Sixtyplusurfers

 

I know I should be excited and believe me I am, but  part of me is having a problem letting go!!

 

In a few days we will take delivery of a new three piece suite. It is our retirement present to ourselves. The other one has serves us well for the last 15 years.

 

Today as I sit stroking the cushions on the settee I remember sitting there with my husband as we hugged each other trying to absorb the news that at last we were going to be grandparents. We had waited seven long years after our only daughter had married and just as we began to accept that careers would triumph over family we were blessed. I can see our daughter sitting there months later fondly stroking her large bump.

 

I can still feel the sadness when I sat on that same settee after learning that I was going to lose my Mum to cancer. The tears fell on the cushions the day I returned from the funeral. These were replaced by tears of joy four months later as our daughter laid our new granddaughter lovingly on the settee with the large cushions protectively laid around her.

 

The faithful settee has nursed our only Granddaughter  during visits as she slept through the last eleven years from preschool and now to Grammar school.

 

Visitors have enjoyed the settee  during family gatherings from our fiftieth birthday celebrations through to our retirement. We even put tinsel along the back at Christmas because our settee was part of the family

 

My husband and I sat there comforting each other when he had a serious illness three years back and hugging each tightly after being told his test results were alright.

 

The faithful settee has nursed us when we have been ill. It has tolerated  being moved around as we have changed the decor.

 

We have sat there and made plans, discussing the day and declaring our feelings like open books. Brochures were strewn all over it when we were choosing holidays and last of all our retirement cruise.

 

That settee has shared all our secrets. We are transparent in its company. It has shared all our emotions and watched us grow older, wiser and still very much in love.

 

I now feel guilty for sitting there and choosing the replacement.

 

I spoke quietly as I telephoned the charity shop and arranged collection. I practically begged the lady to make sure our  cherished friend goes to good home.

 

I stroke the cushions as I drink my coffee. 'Thank you for being here for us I will miss you'

 

Enid Jessop

 

Dear Enid
 

Thank you for telling us about your sofa and the many memories it brings. A few sad, but mainly happy. We wish you all the best with your new sofa and hope it brings you many more happy memories.

 

Kitty Jacobs, Letters & Admin
 

Sixtyplusurfers
Press Information

We are always happy to consider editorial and advertisements for Sixtyplusurfers.

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Tel: 0208 866 3686

Melissa Braiden
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Sixtyplusnewsletter@hotmail.co.uk
 

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 Sixtyplusurfers Chat
 
and Socialise Competition

 

Win a Doro 35r Cordless Phone

 

Win a Doro 35r Cordless Phone

 

Doro has teamed up with Sixtyplusurfers to offer three lucky readers the chance to win a Doro Form 35r cordless phone for your home.

 

This exceptional phone is about more than its appearance. With Form, Doro has raised the bar for today's cordless phones by shaping sound, performance, ergonomics, quality and all the fine details one appreciates in one superior product.

 

Win a Doro 35r Cordless Phone

Form has been specially developed to bring you unparalleled audio fidelity. It includes an additional acoustic chamber and an improved speaker for a more natural sound experience and voice quality.

 

You can also personalise the phone with your favourite photograph from a recent holiday, trip or family event. It's fun and easy to use.

 

You can personalise the phone with your favourite photograph

 

Other features include a blue backlit display, speakerphone option, 20 position phone book, and a 30 minute answer machine.

 

For more information click on www.doro.com

To Enter the Competition

Tell us what new page do we have planned for the December issue of Sixtyplusurfers?

a) Winter Days Out
b) Christmas Pastimes
c) Gifts for Grandchildren
d)
Nostalgia and Memories

* You can find the answer in Murray's Blog on the Chat & Socialise page

Then send in your answer

When you have decided what new page is planned for the December issue of Sixtyplusurfers, then send in your answer together with your name, postal address and telephone number by clicking on the Sixtyplusurfers inbox below
sixtyplusurfers@hotmail.co.uk

* This competition is open to
our UK visitors only

  

Sixtyplusurfers Newsletter Competition

 

Win the new DVD and Album from Daniel O'Donnell

 

Daniel O'Donnell

 

If you enjoy visiting the Sixtyplusurfers website and entering our competitions, then why not subscribe to the Sixtyplusurfers Newsletter.

 

Free of charge, we send out the Sixtyplusurfers Newsletter once a month to keep you up-to-date with all of our news. Find out about all the new competitions running on Sixtyplusurfers and all the latest features and articles we have planned.

 

To receive the Sixtyplusurfers Newsletter once a month, just email your name, postal address and email address. And you can receive a monthly update of all our news.

 

If you are already receiving our Newsletter, you might like to recommend a friend or someone from your family - so they can also keep in touch with Sixtyplusurfers on a regular basis.

 

This month Sixtyplusurfers is offering five lucky readers who join the mailing list or recommend a friend the chance to win Daniel O'Donnell's brand new album 'Peace in the Valley' and his new DVD 'Hope & Praise' - a wonderful gift for Christmas.

 

Daniel O'Donnell

 

Not many recording artists can lay claim to having sold more than 3.5 MILLION units in the UK this millennium … but Daniel O’Donnell is one of those who can do so, across his album and DVD releases.
 
Daniel O’Donnell has achieved:

 

·  12 Top 20 albums in 10 years.

·  The only artist to have charted an album every year from 1988-2008 (source: Guinness World Records -  British Hit Singles & Albums).
·  Sold just under 3 MILLION albums this millennium.
·   Reached the UK Albums chart with more than 30 albums.

·  One the UK’s Top 60 Best Selling Albums Artists of the 21st Century.

·  Spent more than 300 weeks in the UK Albums chart.
·  Reached No. 1 in the Music DVD Chart with his last six releases.

 

Daniel O’Donnell is truly one of pop’s best kept secrets. He has sold millions of albums worldwide and is the only artist in the world to claim at least one hit album EVERY YEAR since 1988.
 
Daniel has also proven to outsell many other major artists with his DVDs: the last 6 DVD releases have all been No.1 best-sellers. In 2008, his ‘At Home In Ireland’ DVD went head to head with Katherine Jenkins and Darcy Bussell’s ‘Viva La Diva’ and came out on top to debut at No. 1 and stayed at the summit for two weeks, before relinquishing the crown to Westlife.
 
Daniel O’Donnell ranks among the most successful Irish performers of all time. He remains unique: until a few years ago an ‘open house’ was held once a year for the fans. An orderly queue would form outside the family house in Donegal and fans and concert-goers would ‘pop-in’ for tea. This very personal contact with his audience became so popular, that in recent years the invitation has since had to be modified as a few dozen fans turned into several thousand arriving in coaches! In addition, Daniel O’Donnell maintains an extraordinary level of close contact with his audience, writing letters, making phone calls and even visits to un-well supporters in hospital.
 
It is this remarkable commitment that goes only partially explains why Daniel’s audience has grown so solidly – and so organically - over the years.
 
Daniel has always taken his work sincerely. “It’s about doing what you love and believing in what you’re doing,” he says. Daniel’s soft, lilting tone has drawn comparisons with Jim Reeves and Cliff Richard but with his new albumPeace In The Valley it is – as the title suggests – a return to his inspirational roots.
 
The album features 15 new recordings of inspirational favourites, including ‘Peace In The Valley’, ‘Mansion Over The Hilltop’, ‘Just A Closer Walk With Thee’ and ‘I’ll Fly Away’, all of which have been recorded by some of the most famous artists in the Country/Gospel genre, including the title track which was made most famous by Elvis Presley.
 
Daniel’s previous Gold status selling inspirational album reached No. 11 in 2003, so he felt that it was an appropriate time to record a new album for his legions of fans, especially as his popularity has soared since that album was released six years ago.
 
A stickler for attention to detail, Daniel agreed that the photographs for the album cover and the TV commercial were shot on location at the beautiful and historic St. Hubert’s in Idsworth, Hampshire, a Church that dates back to the beginning of the last millennium (1053 AD) and which has a 14th Century tapestry etched into the interior wall.
 
Not only is Daniel releasing a new album but his fans are sure to love the new DVD Hope & Praise’, which was recorded live at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, Missouri. Daniel has become one of the most successful Artist’s in his genre and consistently tops the US Billboard World Music Charts. For this concert, Daniel is joined by his nine-member band and singers, the Central Bible College Choral Department adult choir, Tri-Lakes Center Church Children’s Choir, the Pam Davis Orchestra and his special guest, his long-time singing partner, Mary Duff.
 
Emotionally uplifting and moving, Daniel O’Donnell’s ‘Hope & Praise’ is a spectacular musical event that includes mainstream and inspirational favourites personally chosen by Daniel. Songs such as ‘Any Dream Will Do’, ‘What A Wonderful World’, and ‘I Believe’ sit alongside ‘Abide With Me’, Put Your Hand In The Hand’, ‘Morning Has Broken’ and ‘Rivers Of Babylon’.
 
In the months leading up to Christmas, Daniel continues his busy schedule of touring and PR around the album and DVD launches. Having just completed a 12-date tour in the US and Canada, Daniel will be returning to the US for 17 sell-out shows in November, which will be followed in December for 9 more UK dates. This is balanced with his charitable work supporting an orphanage in Siret, Romania (work which earned him an MBE in 2002) and family life with wife Majella and his two step children Siobhan and Michael.

 

For more information click on the websites below:
 
www.danielodonnellfanclub.co.uk
www.danielodonnell.org
www.danielodonnell.co.uk
 

  

You Can Win the 'Peace in the Valley' album and the 'Hope and Praise' DVD by Daniel O'Donnell
 

To enter the Newsletter Competition just send us your name, postal address and email address and then tell us if you would like to join our regular mailing list. Then send your details to us at sixtyplusnewsletter@hotmail.co.uk

 

Five lucky winners chosen from 'the hat' will win 'Peace in the Valley' and 'Hope and Praise' by Daniel O'Donnell.
 

* This competition is only open to those readers who are not yet on our mailing list but would like receive the monthly Sixtyplusurfers Newsletter. You can also recommend a friend to sign up for the Newsletter!

 

* To ensure that your email server does not reject the monthly Sixtyplusurfers Newsletter, we suggest that you add the mailing address of e2ma.net to your contacts list or your safe list of senders!

 

Don't Forget to Enter our Nineteen Other
 Great Competitions
 & Offers This Month

 

A Competition for all our Poets

  

Write the best poem for Sixtyplusurfers and win a Stewart Herb Pot.
 

Write the best poem for Sixtyplusurfers and win a Stewart Herb Pot

 

Click on the Christmas Competitions page for details about the competition.

 

A Luxury Hotel Treat
 

Win a Night's Stay at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel in London. This fantastic prize includes a night's accommodation, a three course dinner for two, and a bottle of wine.
 

Win a Night's Stay at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes Hotel in London

 

Click on the Christmas Competitions page to enter the competition.

 

A Stylish Mobile Phone
 

Win a TALKPremium Mobile Phone worth £100 from emporia Telecom.
 

Win a TALKPremium Mobile Phone worth £100 from emporia Telecom

 

Click on the Christmas Gifts page to enter the competition.

 

A Holiday for all the Family
 

Win a Free Two Night's Stay at Kings Park Village.
 

Win a £1,500 Voucher for Britannia Holiday Parks

 

Click on the Travel & Holidays page to enter the competition.

 

A Fabulous 'His and Hers' Gift
 

Win a stylish Kenneth Cole Watch. Choose a ladies or gents watch.
 

Win a Kenneth Cole gents watchWin a Kenneth Cole ladies watch
 

Click on the Christmas Competitions page to enter the competition.
 

To Help you Around the House
 

Win a Bissell Ready Dry Carpet Cleaner to help you clean up for Christmas.
 

Win a Bissell Ready Dry Carpet Cleaner to help you clean up for Christmas

 

Click on the Home Comforts page to enter the competition.

 

To Keep you Warm in the Winter
 

Win a £60 Voucher from Hotter Shoes. The voucher can be used towards shoes, slippers and any gifts from the collection. We've got eight vouchers to give away!
 

Win a £60 Voucher from Hotter Shoes

 

Click on the Fashion & Accessories page to enter the competition.

 

A Beautiful Bracelet for You
 

Win a Leopard Print Bracelet from Damart. We've got three to give away!
 

Win a Leopard Print Bracelet from Damart

 

Click on the Fashion & Accessories page to enter the competition.

 

To Help you in the Kitchen
 

Win a Dairy Diary Gift Pack. We've got ten to give away!

 

Win a Dairy Diary Gift Pack

 

Click on the Our Friends page to enter the competition.

 

Some Fantastic Cookery Books
 

Win Four Cookery Books by Mary Berry from DK.

 

Win four cookery books by Mary Berry
 

Click on the News & Book Reviews page to enter the competition.

 

A Beautiful Gift for You
 

Win a Bronnley Hand and Nail Gift Set We've got three to give away!
 

Win a Bronnley Hand and Nail Gift Set

 

Click on the Beauty & Hair Care page to enter the competition.

 

A Winter Treat for your Skin

 

Win a Free Sample of Ayudara Balm. We've got five to give away!
 

Win a free sample of Ayudara Balm

 

Click on the Beauty & Hair Care page to enter the competition.

 

For Winter Health & Nutrition
 

Win a Hamper of Linwoods products.
 

Win a Hamper of Linwoods products

 

Click on the Christmas Competitions page to enter the competition.

 

Keep Laughing with this Prize
 

Win 'Hello Wembley!' the new DVD from Michael McIntyre. We've got three to give away!

 

Win 'Hello Wembley! the new DVD from Michael McIntyre
 

Click on the Christmas Competitions page to enter the competition.

 

For Family Entertainment

 

Win a Theatre Tokens Gift Pack.
 

Win a Theatre Tokens Gift Pack
 

Click on the Entertainment page to enter the competition.

 

A Fun Prize for the all the Family
 

Win Articulate! from Drumond Park. We've got five games to give away!

 

Win Articulate! from Drumond Park

 

Click on the Our Friends page to enter the competition.

 

A Great New Recipe Book

 

Win a Wild Alaska Seafood Recipe Book. We've got 100 to give away!

 

Win a Wild Alaska Seafood Recipe Book

 

Click on the Food & Drink page to enter the competition.

 

To Help You With Your Arts and Crafts

 

Win a BruBox Home Brew Starter Kit in a choice of London Bitter or Bavarian Pilsener. We've got three to give away!

 

Win a BruBox Home Brew Starter Kit

 

Click on the Crafts & Hobbies page to enter the competition.
 

A Musical Treat for You
 

Win 'True Love's Gutter' by Richard Hawley. We've got five CDs to give away!
 

Win 'True Love's Gutter' by Richard Hawley

 

Click on the Christmas Competitions page to enter the competition.