My blog is called Red Wine in my Seventies but I am actually in my eighties, I just don’t know how to change the title.

Bank holiday, my son suggests that I should walk across the Isle of Wight with kindly guidance because I have macular degeneration, whilst he organised a cycle trip for 50 people, adults and children, to cycle across the Isle of Wight.

I had pulled a muscle in my leg, and in my imagination, the hills I would have to climb were pinnacles and I would get stuck, apart from that I have a lung problem and I might stop breathing.

I like to accept a challenge but I was seriously frightened and spent a sleepless night, the night before.

When you get old, you get so anxious.

Yet, it is a Saturday, and the sun is shining. I arrive with my companions, a kindly mother and daughter. We catch the wrong bus and are treated to a lengthy tour of the island which is educational in itself. So, we start off late to walk to Brighstone, an 8 -mile walk.

The hills are not pinnacles, and the scenery spectacular, if I did not have a son who gave me a challenge, I would not have had that experience,

We arrive rather late, and miraculously find a pub and cannot resist. That pint of beer feels wonderful.

Then to the campsite, my son has set up a tent with the most comfort and super warm duvets and a yoga mat to lie on but the whole process of getting into the tent proves a nightmare, I get really bored with zipping my tent up and down, I can’t really see. I can’t really find anything in my tent, in spite of having a torch and I can’t get my boots off. Getting up off the ground is a complicated procedure and I am paranoid as to how to have a pee in the night. I have a tantrum and scream that I am never going to camp again!

I also get really breathless, anxiety? my son and his wife come and are concerned. My son takes my boots off and the next night, I call him.

           ‘Put me to bed!’ I command.

Yet, I was surrounded by the warmth of friendship, my son prepares food for 50 people on a camping stove, but the community helps by chopping onions. garlic, peppers and courgettes

The evening sun gives fading warmth as children play and I watch this eternal scene of childhood exuberance and the simple pleasure of playing in a field.

The next day we walk along the beach, the sea is silver under a grey sky. I get stuck half way up a cliff and four strong men guide me down. Am I pleased I went? Definitely. It helped my confidence because when you get to this point, life itself becomes a bit of a challenge.