Well, I have one close friend of many years who lives quite near me, but we don't see each other as often as I'd like as she leads a busier life than I do at the moment. We talk on the phone more often than we see each other, which is not ideal, but we manage lunch every couple of months. But apart from her, most of our friends live some distance away and we don't get together that often these days. To be honest, although I am a sociable old bird, I wouldn't like to have a too many people to keep up with. gilly I hope you will count me among your online friends. We joined GN about the same time although I had a break for a while and came back in another incarnation. You are a Gransnet stalwart!