Support group

You know the café culture in Mediterranean countries? Recent research suggests that they support older people so that they live longer happier lives. I believe that because last year I found a support group in our local coffee shop. Each morning I'd trundle pass these single people I knew taking another load of deceased husband's clothes to a charity shop. After the third morning, they said, "come and join us!" and they've been supportive ever since.

We have interesting discussions that range over psychology, philosophy and religion. M & I discussed Protestant and Catholic schism and Luther pinning his protests on the door - and we have no arguments about religion despite slightly differing views.

It isn't just company, something to get up for each morning. They provide practical support. One of them, P, is helping the octogenarian, JH, to clear his cellar. P also advised me last year on who best to fix my badly leaking roof. The octogenarian has nodded support to me when I worried about lodgers.

This week, I needed to get bells but didn't know where from. But when JT was describing her knitting a Christmas jumper for a grandchild, she happened to say she'd sewn bells on it. Hey presto! She could tell me where to find bells and I had what I wanted within half an hour.

Long may a café culture last in England.