Pick Me Up! 25-Nov-2021

Even though I was born blind, I thoroughly enjoyed my childhood. As I got older, I coped with life the best way that I knew how to. My husband Jim, and all of my friends would always be so very helpful. Although I had their support, I wanted to be able to finally go shopping on my own. So, in 1996, I got involved with the charity Guide Dogs, which were set up the same year I was born – where they gave me my first assistance dog, Leon. I was so proud to be walking down the street, with Leon leading the way. He helped me with little daily tasks that many others take for granted. I started to walk with him to raise money for Guide Dogs, hoping…

Have you heard? Bring the heat to your plate this November with the launch of Nando’s Christmas range. Whether you’re after their twist on traditional gravy or looking to sink your teeth into the much-missed Fino Pitta, Nando’s sure won’t disappoint. Launched on 2 November, the fan favourite Fino Pitta consists of a toasted pitta filled with two flamegrilled chicken thighs, grilled halloumi cheese, caramelised red onion relish and wild garlic aioli, topped with lettuce. Now, that’s our kind of meal! Don’t miss their new Spiced Clementine PERi-PERi baste, and why not try the sweet and sour SXOLLIE Cider. Supporat a small business Did you want to catch the creativity bug this season? Cosy Owl’s new candle making kits provide you with everything you need to begin making comforting scents right away.…

Here’s my Lillie, aged eight. She loves a car boot sale and spots a bargain right away. Charlotte Crowe, Norwich During my week away in the New Forest, I met this free roaming pig wandering around our campsite! Beverley Lindfield, Kent Walking home along the seafront, I was suddenly amazed by an incredible rainbow over the harbour. Beauty really is all around us. Gary Evans, Margate STAR LETTER This is me and my little dog Harley at St. Mary’s Lighthouse on our much needed break away. We even saw some seals! Samantha McKibbens, Glasgow My daughter Sue celebrated her birthday recently. She partied with cardboard cut-outs of some of her favourite stars! Patricia Cordon, Gloucester If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over…

Tapping out a message on Facebook, I quickly deleted it and sighed. I shouldn’t get involved, I thought. Or should I? I’d found out through the social networking site that my now ex-friend had a new bloke. She was trouble. And anyone who got mixed up with her was always dragged into her drama. I felt for her new fella. And even though I knew it wasn’t my place, I couldn’t stop myself sending him a warning. She’s bad news, I typed. You should watch out. Before I could talk myself out of it, I pressed send. I was surprised when Michael Bloy, 36, replied. It ended before it started, he wrote. But thanks. I was glad. We started chatting, and when he asked me out for a drink I…

When I saw her the next day, she was horrified by my injuries. ‘You need to call the police,’ she said gently. I knew she was right. I couldn’t keep living in fear of Michael. He didn’t love me at all. He was a monster. To top it off, a test showed that I was pregnant after all. What Michael had done to me was bad enough. The thought of a child being around his temper was too much to bear. Michael may have beaten me to a pulp, but I refused to let him break me completely. I refused to let him win. So at the end of August last year, I finally rang the police and reported Michael. I gave a statement, and an officer told me someone…

Picking up my phone, I rang my parents. ‘How are you?’ I asked as my dad Ken, 81, picked up. ‘I’m OK,’ he replied, stoically. I was used to seeing my parents all the time, but since lockdown hit in March 2020, we’d been reduced to phone calls and the odd wave through the window. It was tough, but I didn’t want to put Dad and my mum Margaret, 66, at any risk. Mum and Dad had been married for 48 years, and they were devoted to each other. They’d set an amazing example for me and my younger sister Claire, 43. They were always so loving and supportive, and we all looked out for each other. But since the lockdown, Dad’s health seemed to be going downhill. He’d had…