Alastair Stewart reflects on the simple joys of life, the importance of human connection and the causes close to his heart
The Royal Mail is one of those "Marmite" public services. Some people love it, while others can't be doing with it. I know that, in this era of impersonal electronic communication, the post is struggling for survival, but I'm a big fan for several reasons.
As someone living with dementia, a lot of the electronic stuff is simply too complicated. I also find it impersonal and far less stimulating than a good old-fashioned handwritten letter or postcard. We are also blessed with a very reliable postie. If something won't fit through our letterbox, he or she brings it to our front door, unlike far too many courier drivers who simply chuck parcels over the gate or fence.
Royal Mail is also much easier to deal with if something goes wrong. Of course, the contents of a letter are the responsibility of the sender rather than the postman.
We had a letter this week from the Ophthalmology Department at Winchester Royal County Hospital telling me that tests had shown no signs of glaucoma, which was good news to read. The only slight problem was that the letter was dated November 16, 2025! Thank goodness it wasn't urgent or critical news. Even so, it was still easier to access and read than the NHS App.
We were also delighted to receive a note from Baroness Virginia Bottomley, simply saying how nice it had been to see each other at the Wakeham lunch. She wrote that she had been delighted to catch up, especially with what our children are up to. Such a kind and generous woman. I hope to see Virginia and Peter again soon.
The FIFA row rumbles on. It's fascinating for one of my godsons, who works for UEFA. It also reminded me of the Sepp Blatter saga and that hilarious moment when a protester showered him with fake banknotes. Even Blatter seemed to smell a huge rat in the Infantino and Joshua Kushner proposals.
Also in the post this week came my order for nicotine pouches. There's a brand, Nordic Spirit, that I get on with well. I placed an order via Amazon, who confirmed receipt of both my order and payment, as did Nordic Spirit.
However, when my parcel arrived a couple of days later, it contained the wrong brand. Something called Belter had arrived instead, tasting far more of liquorice than spearmint.
I contacted Amazon customer service through their website, explained the problem, and they immediately accepted responsibility, offering me a refund, which I gratefully accepted. Even with dementia, the whole process was easy. I then reordered directly from Nordic Spirit, and my order is due today.
These products matter because they help keep me off smoking. It isn't easy, to be honest. I still crave cigarettes. But while Amazon's ordering system may need a tweak, their customer service is spot on.
Also in the post was a handwritten thank-you card from my friend Ruari McAllion, following his text thanking us for tea. We thoroughly enjoyed having him and his family here to see the animals, but it was characteristically kind and polite of him to write as well. Sally especially appreciated it.
I also received an email from Riding for the Disabled saying they had suffered a data breach affecting one of their local groups. They advised me to keep my eyes peeled for any unusual activity on my accounts.
The row over early release reminded me of an interview I did with Lissie Harper, the widow of PC Andrew Harper. Lissie is a beautiful and articulate advocate for justice for her late husband and for all police officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty.
His killers should serve their full terms. Public support for that is overwhelming, including from the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, with whom Andrew served. The retired senior investigating officer has now added his voice to those demanding that the killers remain in prison. He is a powerful ally.
The drought and hosepipe ban remain a burden, but we are allowed to top up the pond or we'd lose the ducks, and of course we have to keep the horses' water troughs full. We are trying hard to moderate our own use of water.
Our joy and pride at Oscar's qualification for the Horse of the Year Show continues. Sally is planning a family dinner, while the boys are having a barbecue at Fred's yard, so it promises to be a terrific week. Despite dementia, I'll remember every joyful moment.
The Scottish swimmer Archie Goodwin has gone public about his brain tumour and is seeking a meeting with Andy Burnham about research funding and treatment.
The BBC coverage featured Dame Tessa Jowell, who died from a brain tumour. She was a terrific woman and a dear friend.
Her daughter, Jess, fought the same battle as Archie and continues to campaign today.
