Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Watch the BIRDIE
Keen birdwatcher Chris Davey, 62, and his 79-year-old partner Marika Aggett live in a beautiful part of the world.
Chris says: “We live in Starcross, Devon, which is halfway between Exeter and Dawlish.
“I was raised way out in the country where my father worked on a farm, and I have always loved being out in the countryside and among wildlife.
“We walk around the village every day and I have a longer walk at the weekend while Marika has a lie-in. I never cancel a walk because of the weather! I took this photograph of a
female blackcap in Long Lane in Dawlish.
“I don’t see many of these birds but this one made up for the scarcity by singing really loudly for me!
“We’re lucky to see lots of different wildlife on our walks, including deer, foxes, stoats, hares, rabbits and water voles. And we’ve been feeding hedgehogs in our garden so we get quite a few in for dinner now they all know there’s food here!”
■ Send me your birdie snaps – and tell me about your hobby, yourself and age and location. Don’t forget to send a selfie to siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk.
Dear Coleen
I would be grateful for your advice on a dilemma I’m having. I am a 21-year-old guy and I’m having a relationship with a widow, who’s 60 years old.
She is a light smoker – it could be worse – but I really worry that she is damaging her health.
As a non-smoker myself, how can I tell her or encourage her to quit smoking without damaging our relationship? I’d really appreciate any advice.
Coleen says
It’s the smoking you’re worried about and not the 39-year age gap? OK, well perhaps your worries are linked to the age gap in that she’s a lot older and smokes and, if you’re happy in the relationship, naturally you don’t want her doing anything that might make her ill.
Look, as someone who’s smoked on and off for most of my life, I know how hard it is to give up.
Like any addiction, you can’t force someone to do it – they have to want to do it for themselves or it won’t work.
There are lots of aids these days to help people quit, so why not look into the options and discuss them with her?
Show her that you’ll support her. I think if you also explain that you love her and care about her, and that you’re invested in the relationship, she might take it on board.