Besides walks with my family, and my grandchildren enjoying their rite of passage kicking through the many piles of leaves that have begun to emerge, I've also enjoyed cheering my son on in the Bath and Bristol half marathon, and dabbling with my first attempt at making my own cider. Don't ask me how well this is going, I'm not sure yet as it's still fermenting, but figuring out how long to leave it for is the tricky bit, I could end up with a vat of vinegar!

Then last night I held the honorary position of chief Pumpkin carver with my grand children. It's a funny old tradition but they seem to enjoy it. The one thing that I don't agree with during all this halloween nonsense is the 'trick or treating' bit. Caroline and I have been saying this for years, and our poor old neighbour Olive used to get into a terrible state over it when the kids would be out roaming the streets, she'd be wondering what sort of state her house would be in come the morning. So anyway, I try as best I can to discourage this, and for anyone who is worried about itthis article from Age UKis well worth a read.