Elizabeth is Missing explores a human condition many of us have witnessed or remain fearful of but one where we have little comprehension of the inner torment suffered. That human condition is dementia or in this novel, perhaps it is the onset of senility; a judgement that belongs to the reader. Either way, the […]

We had some air miles to use or lose so we looked up where we could go for the amount we had. Somewhere south is always preferable in winter so we opted for Naples. We left Milton Keynes on the rainiest day we can remember, having had one flood alert. That night in Naples we […]

Mothers Day is celebrated in Australia on the second Sunday of May.  It is traditionally a day when mothers  and mother figures are feted by their children.  The flower associated with Mother’s Day is the white chrysanthemum.  It is said that the flower was chosen  because it’s name ends in mum which is the affectionate  Australian shortening of mother.  In days […]

  I have recently gained some expertise on hospitals and what they have to offer. Whilst medically my three admissions, over a twelve month period have been successful, I can’t recommend the food or the chance of any relaxation. Now I know it is important to check patients after operations but surely the accompanying cacophony […]

Once upon a time I was Brian McCarney’s bridge partner. That was when we were both raw recruits. Although I still play bridge I can no longer match Brian’s expertise or his passion for the game. He is not only a great player but gives a lot of his time to teach newcomers. There are […]

   Every reader of Fifty Five Plus will be familiar with habits developed over a lifetime. Sometimes the habits are so familiar, so ingrained that they no longer feel like habits at all. More like automatic, subconscious responses to everyday situations. Some of those automatic responses will be beneficial while others may be the source […]

  The Lady in the Van features Dame Maggie Smith as the incorrigible vagabond Miss Shepherd who parks her van outside playwright Alan Bennett’s London home and procedes to stay for another sixteen years. The irascible, fiercely independent Miss Shepherd is a role tailor-made for Maggie Smith who slips with consummate ease into a character […]

 Niki shares her love of tapestry with Fifty Five Plus.  Her work is inspirational and not at all what I envisage when the word tapestry comes into my mind.  A successful artist with many exhibitions both in Australia and overseas you can check her website and full compliment of works using the addresses listed below.  This […]