60 Lovely Things

I'm 60 next year. I want to do 60 lovely things over the next 2 years for Alzheimer's Research UK to remember one of my oldest and best friends, Pete, who was very very ill with Parkinson's and Dementia.

He died on May 21st 2025 at the age of 61. It is heart-breaking. He did not deserve this.

The photo is of me holding his hand the last time I went to visit him in Sussex, about 3 weeks before his death. He didn't know me, but maybe he did; he gripped my hand as hard as he could and stroked my hair as we beat out tunes from the 70s and 80s together (Bohemian Rhapsody was the best).

His wife Karen has said she would like me to give any money to Alzheimer's Research UK.

I am not intending to do anything world changing with any money you can spare.

I am intending to do 60 lovely things and I will define what 'lovely' is!!!

It could be going for a lovely walk, or it could be an amazing trip.

It will almost certainly involve friends and there will be a lot of swimming!

So far, I have 8 lovely things to tell you about since my birthday in March;

1. A riverside spa and cold plunge with friends in Norwich.

2. A trip to the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland with Alison and Penny after Helen and Dermot's wonderful wedding.

3. Having a massage from Chantal, my friend in France, and giving her a painting bought from Agnes to say thank you.

4. Going to see John Osborne's Norwich; A Love Story and learning about Beryl Bryden (another Rosie's Plaque maybe?)

5. Visiting Pete and his family in Sussex at short notice and spending an afternoon in the sun watching his son play cricket for the 1st team. He is a great fast bowler!

6. A first swim in the sea at Waxham with Kate and Emma.

7. Camping for the first time this year in my caravan near Cromer and sitting, laughing and talking around the campfire with Panda, Jax and Gill and their wonderful kids.

8. Entering Vince for the best dog at shaking his paw in The Feed dog show. He came second!

This world needs lovely.

Pete and his family need lovely.

We all need lovely.

I will keep you updated with what I do with photos and a short description, either on here or Facebook.

You can add money anytime you like; when you can.

If you want to share lovely things you do when you donate, that would be...lovely.

Thank you in advance for any contribution you are able to make.

More information about Alzheimer's Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. As research experts, we fund world-class pioneering scientists to find preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.