Set in your ways? Adaptable? Eccentric?

Watch out for CCTV cameras!

jessm we also have a car valet service with all Eastern European men (and women!) who are so keen and hardworking. Sometimes I have the car valeted when it doesn't really even need it - "wealth redistribution" not that I am wealthy ... but it makes me and them happy! It pierced my heart one day when I saw them all comparing their Lotto tickets.

Good for you greatnan - I 'get' you LOL.

I am not the least bit eccentric. It's everyone else who is odd.

I'm sorry, but most people describe me as zany. I think it is because I have a strange sense of humour. I can't help it. I don't do silly things apart from being independant and going cruising on my own. I think in some ways I'm like an unfit version of greatnan . If I was fit I'd probably be following in her footsteps. In fact I'm

absent ...

I'm a one-off, slightly-wacky, unconventional, oftimes shy and retiring non-team player. Happy with my own company, providing I've you lot to share groans and giggles with.

jeni I don't think having fairy lights – several sets I believe – on your crutches can possibly be considered sensible. That a very silly thing.

Only two! Green and red , that's so that people know which way I'm going!
Remind me, must remember to pack them!

But jeni how do people know when you are reversing ..

I give 3 short blows on my hooter ie, my nose!
One for starboard (R)
Two for port (L)
Five for GET OUT OF MY WAY. DANGER

And Seven for - OOPS! That was too close for comfort.

I love the idea of climbing the ski slopes with you panting behind me, jeni!

Greatnan if jeni made it to the top, you could give her a piggyback ride down to the bottom of the mountain. What a delightful sight...whoooppppeeee!

Yes she brought her fairy lights to Birmingham. It's true.

Soop -
I wish I lived on the ground floor or my block had a lift, then I could show her the beautiful mountain scenery. (And I don't drive up very scary paths, do I Anno? You never got white knuckles once!)

I can confirm that you are a very good driver, Greatnan and that I never had white knuckles. Not that some of the roads weren't 'interesting'.

Greatnan You make us laugh...a gift, in what can sometimes seem, a grey and gloomy world.

If I win the lottery, perhaps I could buy a ground floor flat! But then you're emigrating!

JessM Your'e not sitting in a cafe writing a rival book to Harry Potter are you?

I won't be going for a few years , jeni - anyway, what's a 12,000 mile cruise to a world traveller like you! And I can promise you I will definitely be living in a bungalow in NZ - I know about earthquakes!

Expensive!

You must be due for a 'frequent sailor' discount!

When he was 14 DS came home from school and said to me in passing; 'I am glad I have eccentric parents'. This took me rather by surprise because I thought we were boringly normal.

My grandchildren all ending up calling me "Mad Gran" when they are old enough to get to know me, and my own children think I am much too "alternative".

The grandchildren love it because I will sing and dance along with them in public spaces, sit in the front row of the cinema calling out to the cartoons with them, allowing them to use all my make-up and nail varnish, making a mess in the kitchen etc.etc. I thought all this was "normal" but compared to their other grandparents I am not mainstream, although judging by Gransnet there are a lot of other Mad Grans out there!!! Thank goodness.

My children think I am alternative because I never like to hear "can't, I'm bored, I'm stressed, too busy etc.etc." They will then receive a book in the post, or an article from the Internet which suggests another way forward. My eldest daughter was making my Mum (who is 88) laugh the other day because she was reading out all the titles of books I have sent her over the years in order to help her on her journey through life. My Mum retorted by sharing with her all the Christmas presents I have bought her which are still in the bottom drawer...i.e. footbath, handwarmers, massage brushes etc.etc. They all think I am just too much...but I think they like it really!