I get by with a little help from my friends | Sue Plunkett

But if there was one piece of advice I could give to anyone it would be 'never take your friends for granted.'

For recently I have said a sad farewell to neighbours I have known for over two decades.

Now that their kids have flown the nest they have quit their jobs to start a new life in sunny Devon where the majority of their family live.

During the time I have known them we have formed a friendship that has seen us through so many life events.

From parties that have gone on until the sun came up to outings with the kids when they were little, birthday celebrations, barbecues and all the 'inbetween' things like girls' nights in or just being able to drop round for a coffee if you feel a bit down.

The friendship grew organically over the years and I got used to them always being there, year in year out, so when I saw the 'for sale' sign on their house my heart sank.

I half hoped they would change their minds, selfish of me I know, but no chance of that. The house is sold, packed up and the new owners are already measuring up for new curtains.

There were tears (socially distanced) when the street came out to wave my friends goodbye, but in the end I felt excited and happy for their new start.

Teenage sweethearts who spent their 20s bringing up their children, the pandemic has made them realise you only get one life and now is the time to live the dream they have put on hold for so long. So how could I not wish them well?

They have already settled into their new home, which is a stone's throw from the beach, and they are both so excited to start their new life changing adventure together.

And it got me thinking about my life and all the things I might want to do that have gone on the back burner.

I don't have any grand plans to 'give it all up' and drive off into the sunset, but there are a few things I really wish I had done when I was younger. My friends have shown me that the only one who can make your dreams come true is you.

So... now may be the time to dust them off and start making plans.