Intellectual Stimulation

I would suggest the U3A too; there may also be Book Clubs, poetry groups or history groups local to you - or whatever interests you.

If there is a NWR group in your area, they meet and one member may be given a subject to research which they present at the next meeting and then everyone can discuss, giving their own points of view.

Yes the Oldie is interesting, also Private Eye.

As for publications, have you tried the Oldie? Only monthly I think but always a good read.
I second the idea of a book group and also U3A. There are usually many and varied groups to choose from and there is only a small annual fee (£15 here) for as many groups as you like. Organised locally so don't know what's available near you.

Is there a local country women or towns women association nearby? I joined one recently, and there are interesting speakers each month and various outings are arranged for anyone wanting to go.

I can highly recommend futurelearn, too.

Another vote for WEA and Future Learn for stimulating subject matter.

My favourite podcast series is Philosopy Bites (and its offshoots) which has been going for some years now (also available via itunes) www.philosophybites.com/

I found this site bringing together enviromental podcasts from around the world. player.fm/featured/environment

If you search there, top right, it'll take you to grouped podcasts about music and books too.

Have you played Upwords MOnica, I prefer it to Scrabble, you can go 5 tiles high and changing words gets interesting!

DD lives alone and, currently, mainly works from home. About once a week she rings me and we are on the phone for at least an hour putting the world to rights. Among the subjects discussed last night were nanotechnology, the skills needed to be a good writer. The effect that having a rural drive to work has ones mood - and a reminder to pack the Scrabble set when we go on holiday.

Openlearn also provide free online courses. Many museums and art galleries provide courses, though they can be quite expensive. The WI often has interesting topics. There is no U3A very near me but I attend an adult education class and am doing a degree with the Open University.
The OU degree certainly stimulates the brain!

I used to like going to the library and browsing.They used to have current newspapers and magazines too.
But I've heard they've changed and many have closed.

Do you play an instrument, hillwalker? You might like to try the Rusty orchestra, down there in Dorset. Mildly competent is good enough andI think it would fit in with your other commitments quite nicely.

PS MawBroon, my grandson (9) also reads The Week Junior.

hillwalker discover and investigate the wonderful world of podcasts.

Here's an article to whet your appetite:

www.wired.co.uk/article/best-podcasts

I find there is a lot of intellectual stimulation online. Most newspapers are available, though most make a small charge. The Guardian still doesn’t. There are discussion groups, too.

I get impatient with Radio 4, and when I tried U3A I became impatient with that too. I prefer to choose my own topics and follow them up with research. For music, I now rely on Radio 3, which has dumbed down a little but is still a good source of both performance and discussion.

I don’t despise television. I have seen some excellent documentaries, particularly on BBC Four.

I am lucky that I still have a few good friends who enjoy discussion. My family are good for conversation, too. I have already this morning had a big argument with my brother about a literary topic!

Have you ever read “The Week”?
A really good summary each week of current affairs etc.
DGS1 (8) gets the children’s version and I learn loads from it!

Hearing about your school runs, Hillwalker, reminded me that I often tune the car radio to the World Service. The programmes that are then chanced upon are often riveting!

Thanks once again. I live in a very small village in Dorset and do 3 morning school runs and 4 afternoon pick ups and supper for g.children, so time wise committed. I do attend an Art class funded by Agewell so inexpensive, sing in women’s singing group, circle dance and belong to a film society in the winter. I just wanted something to read/listen to during the day that is not BBC or newspaper based. You have given me brilliant pointers and I will follow them up.

Cross-posted, Nannarose.

I would second Maw’s suggestion of a book group. I joined one when I retired and I really look forward to the meetings. We take it in turn to choose a book and this has meant that I have been introduced to all sorts of books I might not have chosen for myself. And I have to read them far more critically than I might otherwise have done.
I don’t know where you live Hillwalker but Newcastle University has a series of public lectures on varied topics which are free to attend and the Laing Art Gallery and the Lit & Phil have things too. A bit further south there is the Bowes Museum in County Durham. It might be worth looking for similar things in your area.

I don’t know where you live but if appropriate why not volunteer at a local stately home/castle/Museum to be a guide? I was talking to someone who did just that and he said it was his passion; he had to learn up in detail about the history and met people from all over the world. Plus everyone else’s suggestions too. Good luck

I don't think anyone's mentioned TED talks.

www.ted.com/talks

The University of Warwick has free on-line short courses. I think others may do.
One of my friends loves TED talks that you pick up on-line as well, but I haven't got around to them yet.

I wish you luck, but would add that I though shouting at the radio was normal behaviour! Oh and I'd suggest really digging around in the TV schedules.

Sorry, missed out a word “Special Interest Days”

Not knowing whether you live in a town, city or village, but there are usually Local History groups and if in a city, talks and lectures at museums and galleries.

Thank you so much for replies, yes to everything you have all said. I have heard of podcasts but don’t really know what they are, will give it a go and Future Learn sounds good. I tried my Local U3A, too many opinionated men for my liking. You have set me on a new course.

I do miss conversations with Paw Who was enormously well read and had a deep and informed interest in all things political, historical and philosophical. However, I belong to a book group of intelligent women, read the Telegraph online every morning and the Guardian when I go to Waitrose, I go to classes in Art History and Literature each week and the Arts Society once a month. The AS also runs Special Interest where the day is given over to e.g.one painter/sculptor/topic.
I would recommend looking at your local U3A also WEA if there is one and similar organisations. Are there not Environmental groups near you such as the Canals Trust? You could volunteer at a NT property (or just enjoy visiting)
However, classes, AS lectures etc do not come cheap but you stand a good chance of meeting like minded and interesting people .

This has been very informative. I have the same problem. I'm quite reclusive, by choice, and live alone, so conversation is restricted to a quick chat in shops, which suits me as I don't want to get deeply involved with anyone. However, I am in need of intelligent discussion. I thought I would find it on chat sites which have forums, but, whatever the topic, they always seem to decline into arguments and bullying. I'm sure there are people who do it deliberately. I'm going to look at the sites you have recommended.