Life with Nat - EP254: Nagging with Auntie Linny #30 - the women in our lives

Episode Date: August 12, 2026

Nat and Linny debrief hosting Roro's brunch with her closest women, and reflect generally on all the women they turn to for support. Enjoy! XGet in touch with Nat, buy tickets for upcoming live shows and link to Patreon, all the family's Instagrams, and more: ⁠⁠⁠lifewithnatpod.komi.io⁠⁠⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome to Life with Nat. I hope everybody is enjoying this fabulous weather and you're all having a nice summer holiday with your children. If you're on holiday or by the pool catching up, I'm here with Auntie Linney today. Hello everyone. You're all right? Yeah, good, you?

Yeah, finally. I feel like I've got my life back. Maria's 40th is sort of coming to a close. Until the brunch? Is that for her fortune? Yeah, apparently so. And that is selling really well. So thank you to everybody who's buying tickets.

There aren't many left at all. Really? If you want to get in, go to Hartford House Hotel. Go to the website. And you'll find the link there for what's on. And you'll see that our brunch is October the 3rd. So yeah, thank you so much. It's going to be a great day.

Have we got to buy another cake? No, fuck that. I'm not doing cake. I mean, even Maria said. So last Sunday, I had a game. gathering for Maria's 40th. Then she went away the following day. And obviously they've gone out and they're singing happy birthday at every restaurant they

go to. And even Maria message saying, I'm kind of over it. Yeah, getting a bit bored of this now. Oh, lovely, though. My goodness. So, yeah, I feel like this week's been a bit as normal as it can be and they've all been away. So it's weird when they're all away at the same time.

Well, to be honest, it is. It is weird, but because they have not stopped messaging. That's true. I feel like I've been away with them. Both of them have. So I've got Elia and went away to Italy with Eliza to my family. And then Maria's away in Santorini. And between them, the photographs, the running commentary of everything.

Food, drinks, where they are, what they're doing. How they're doing it? When they're doing it, then Elia's sending me photos of family members. She's bumping into messages. I mean, it's been lovely. I do actually feel like I've been on a journey with them. It's nice. Yeah, it's so nice because I do feel you can get a bit of radio silence from people,

which is absolutely fair. Yeah, and normally when you go away, you kind of want that. Yeah, but it has been nice. I'm shocked that they've, but that just shows, right, well, I'm surprised. I guess for Elliot, because she's with my family, she wants me to see and witness everything. And I guess for Maria, actually being away on your own, we've been together, the last two holidays, has been hundreds of us. It probably feels a bit weird being on your own and you feel like you've got to keep us in the loo.

And when you're doing something so special, I always remember Dave and I when we went to Paris for one of our anniversaries many, many years ago. And we went to see a show and it was so spectacular that I felt heartbroken that we couldn't share that experience. Yeah, with everybody. So I guess for Maria it's a lot of that, isn't it, just wanted us to see where she's going, what she's did. Stavros at work, who's lived in Santorini, had recommended a particular restaurant that they went to last night. So she's sharing all that with us. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, mental.

So, yeah, as much as it's been, but then also I've had your brother unwell. I know, sorry. So that kind of threw us spanning the works. It's been a bit of a weird week. Yeah. But. Well, I got away for a couple of days.

Oh, you then went away and Lisa's away. So at one stage, you were all away. How funny. Very funny. Very lucky. Very fortunate. Yeah. And also to be up to go away here,

knowing that you're just like going abroad. Honestly, to get in the car. Yeah, it's nice, isn't it? And what you're only going to do one night? But we were enjoying it so much, I said, might as well stay another night. Let's just stay another night. We're doing nothing.

And are there, are the beaches? Are they ram the beaches? Because it doesn't look like they are. In terms of beaches, obviously where we were right, you've got Hastings. Now, Hastings is a seaside town. It's got your crazy golf on it.

The beach ain't great. No. And Hastings got lots of history and what have you. But it is your, you know, the seaside town that you would imagine. You've got all the arcades. Joni loves the two-pence machines. We do the golf.

But then travelling back to Rye, which is about 40 minutes away, Rye is just a beautiful, historical, tiny little town, winding roads, cobbled streets. You could be in a Dickensian Oliver Twist. It's just so pretty. But there, we found a beautiful beach called Wim Chelsea. And that, or Wim Chelsea, I don't know how you say it, That was unspoiled, beautiful.

Oh, wow. Really, really lovely. I would go back and maybe stay there. There's Airbnb everywhere you go now. Just nice to have a couple of days away. I felt like I've been away for a week. Yeah. When you're not having, the thing is with going abroad is the whole airport thing, isn't it?

Your journey is that much longer because you have to be at the airport a good two, three hours before you fly. Yeah. And I guess it just makes it a bit of a long day. So to be able to just jump in the car, take it. your dog with you. Do you know what I mean? It's like, it is, yeah, if we'd know, if we'd known this weather was going to be, I think I would have even tried to have organised a little few days away.

I mean, there's still time to do it, I guess. I wonder if this weather's going to continue, though, and if it does. But this year or in general? You know, in general, in every year. Because I think the prices over here are extortioned. Did you find expensive? Yeah, yeah, really. I mean, I do stay in nice places, so I'm.

sure there are places that aren't as expensive. But in terms, I looked up at this beach I was telling you about, because I'm nosy, I went on Airbnb and I thought, you could just tell one of these houses, very modern, the little black with beautiful big windows. I thought that's an Airbnb, and I looked it up. Yeah, and for two nights it was $1,700 or something. Yeah.

I mean, it was six bedrooms. Right. So, you know, if there was a lot of you. Yeah, you're splitting that because. But you're not, it's certainly no less expensive than going abroad. No. And then obviously your food and drink

is more expensive than going abroad. Yeah. So actually when you break it down, I mean, when I look at Tuscany to Devon last year, yeah, there's no... No. Because we went abroad, it wasn't more expensive. No.

And again, it's the food. Yeah, and that's where you're saving. And the drinks, yeah. But it's lovely to see a bit of England as well, isn't it? Because, again, it's a beautiful country. And when the weather's on side, Oh, it's lovely. I just think everything looks so picturesque, doesn't it?

And for me, Joni's now at an age, obviously Eliza's away. So she's not bored because it's not really a holiday that Eliza, I'm not saying she wouldn't enjoy it, but she's at a different age now. So it was quite nice to not have that stress, be away with Joni. Quality time with Jackie as well, Mark's mom. Not seeing her for ages. So she was thrilled that we did the trip. And she was happy stay in the extra night.

Yeah, she was thrilled and really enjoyed it. And, you know, she's always getting everything because we've done the hotel and no, I'll do the dinner. Oh, you know. So that was really nice. But yeah, just like we said, when we went on holiday, it's memories made. Yeah. That you won't get back.

It's so important. For Joni and her to spend that quality time together. Because, yes, she comes here and she's, but I'm not seeing her then because I'm working. We're not going anywhere. We don't even go to where town. Yeah. Where? So she's literally here to,

Mine, Joni. Yeah. Yeah. So it's nice to go out. Have a bit of dinner, a little bit of lunch, have a walk. There was a flea market. There was, you know, just quirky. Yeah.

It's really nice. Nice. Now I'm packing and doing it all again. Oh, my God. I feel very lucky. Yeah, you are. I actually feel like it's, I've been on holiday since Tuscany, really. Permanent holiday.

Well, Eliza definitely has. Yeah. I mean, her feet don't even touch the ground and she's off again. Yeah, see, I do like that little break in between holidays. I just feel I like to spread them out. Because even we were talking about going away in September, but I do know what, with the weather like this here, I'm not that fast. Not worried at the moment.

Not overly, we'll see. Do a little UK one. Yeah, maybe. But Natalie, I've got a big one in November. Yeah. I know that sounds like a long way off, but... No, it will fly by. And that's why I am pleased that, again, since leaving EastEnders,

I love the fact that I've been able to orchestrate having a summer off. Yes, of course we're doing the pod or whatever. But in terms of chunks of work and being out of the house, I have orchestrated the six weeks to not be working. And I feel like that. Again, you're very fortunate. It's incredible. And I didn't know if I'd be able to do that.

And I might not be able to do it next year or, you know, work and come up. So you've got to do it when you can. Yeah. Especially freelance, you know, with Mark's work. And so it's worked for Mark as well, the timings, the holiday. Yeah, because his proms are certain dates. So as soon as I saw that break, I just booked to where we're going and that's it, you know. Yeah.

But I've heard Montenegro's lovely. Yeah, a few people have said much. So I'm really looking forward to exploring it. We should explore it. Don't just then the whole time in the villa. No, no, I won't. Yeah. And it's easy.

The kids, Joan is your youngest. She's 10. Oh, that's easy. It's fine. Yeah. Yeah. No, it'd be lovely. What wasn't lovely was Eliza sending me white-heart-heart ring.

for the pool. Could you buy, I said, we're not getting married? What are them for? All for photos, isn't it? And stuff like that.

Ah, for the old social, for the old TikToky Liza. It's quite hot. No, I'm not buying that. She was cracking me up the other day. So she said,

do you buy one of these? No. I'll get a couple of, I've bought a couple of nice liloes for the pool. I haven't bought a unicorn. I thought I'd leave that. So Maria?

That's a suitcase full of I know, and it's, Joni's birthday as well. Oh, cool. So what will you do on her birthday? How will you, will you go out? Well, I'm definitely going to pack a few tiny gifts.

Yeah. I want to take it something, just a couple of bits. And I don't know. Sort of, we've got a few days before it. Yeah, so you can suss it out. So, suss it out. But she'd be very happy to just be at home. Yeah, she's easily pleased out of Joan.

Yeah, she's, as long as you play a new, no or the game. Yeah. It's all right. Yeah. Sometimes you just. I just don't need to overthink these things, do you? Not at all, not at all. So, yeah, getting back to the last Sunday.

Yeah. It was, it feels about a month ago. Why? Even for me, it does. Why? I can't believe that was only... I know. Because, again, the weeks are so busy.

I don't know. It was such a lovely day. You enjoy it? Yeah. I loved it. Do you know what? Even I, because I thought, I'm... It's so hard when you host.

Well, we spoke about this last part, didn't we? Yeah, we don't want to keep repeating ourselves. No. And I was so conscious of it. And I think I did really well because I did manage to get around to everybody and sit and actually talk to most people. Yeah. But when you're hosting, unless you've got someone that you've employed. Yeah.

You can't just sit there and be a guest. Someone's got to keep that, the drinks flowing. Someone's got to keep the ice box filled in that, like in my fridge. My fridge couldn't keep up. up with the ice. So I'd bought ice. You've got to keep me filling that. You want to make sure people have got drinks. I was conscious of the heat and making sure food was being covered, not left there. I know. Fries. You know, just looking at, and plates. And even though it was plastic plates, it's still, look, ultimately, you're the host. And no one else. And Sally, thank you,

you played a blinder. She really helped me. As did Ferris after, because she was the last one to leave. She tried to help me clear up. but I do feel like I managed to speak to everybody and I enjoyed it I did a few drinks trying to top people up a little bit yeah I mean obviously you prepared some dishes for me which was really helpful

and we always said we're going to try and keep it low key I mean there was obviously too much food but we tried not to do hot food although I did stick a lot of kishes and part of stuff of Turkish pie things we had in the oven and it was so hot to actually even have the oven on

but for me and I know Maria, because obviously she did it because I did, as you know, surprised everyone with a little speech, which I did actually prepare at 11 o'clock the night before. Maria did one too. And I think it was genuine. She genuinely was overwhelmed with everyone that was invited came

and it was very special people that we invited and are very close friends because otherwise it just escalates, doesn't it? We're about 30 women. It could have been 60 but then the numbers are too big. You don't get to talk to anybody then? No, then you don't see anyone. Because you are literally just running around, you know, around like a headless chicken.

No, it was lovely to see everybody. And for all my friends to see each other, because sometimes it needs a gathering like that to get you all together because everyone's busy. Everyone's families have grown and people, and many of my friends still work. Of course. Full time. My favourite bit, I looked over and Maria was sat with Carly and all of her school friends, all of Ro Ro Ro Roe's school friends and they were all sat together.

And they bought her a lovely present. I think it's a trip to a vineyard or something. And they're all there. And I thought, that is so special. Yep. So special that she's still got all of those friends. And all their lives have changed. And they've got stuff going on and they're kids.

And they don't see each other loads. But they're just still friends. It was really quite emotional just to see. Because it reminded me of just them being little. Yeah. And for me, because these girls grew up at mine, Carly in particular, because Rosanna, I see you lots.

But when Carly walked in, I felt, yeah, pulled a little, yeah, my heartstrings because I don't see her. No, of course. She said the same. She gave me a cuddle. She calls me Lynny. She's always called me Lily, funnily enough. And she said, oh, we'll have to try and get together with the mums and that. And it is.

You know, I had years of these girls coming around, getting ready at mine, sleeping at mine. So it was lovely. Really good. It was lovely. And, yeah, everyone. But even for me, seeing Amy. I don't see Amy enough. I say to you all the time.

Amy's a Linda's goddaughter, but we went on a holiday together and we've always got on me and Amy and just even having an hour of two with her. You just forget there are people in your life that you really get on with. You've got to make a bit of an effort sometimes. But you know what?

As well, I think sometimes if you don't, I mean, don't get me wrong, Amy and I speak every day, but I have friends that I'll go for months that I haven't seen or spoken to. But then that's what makes it even more special when you are together. Yes.

It just, it means so much more. Because if you did this every month, it wouldn't be special. Of course. So it's actually nice that, you know, but I think what made this super special is that for, I guess, these were my friends, who Maria's grown up with. They've been a massive part of Maria's life. So that's why we kind of did it. Because she was seeing all her own friends anyway, doing her own stuff.

But to have them all together in a room, that's a rarity. and with manageable numbers where everyone could talk to one another that's what I thought was so lovely and all very, you know some of these women have been in our lives I've been in my lives all my life grown up with them from a very young age

and have been in Maria's life all her life but I always think when I look at that room and how many people I know that's amazing as well because a whole of my life Yeah, because they've been around forever. Yeah. And that's, again, I think, quite rare now, isn't it?

Well, I think so. People move away. People fall out. Yeah. People just don't even fall out. They just go there different ways and, you know, you sort of lose yourself a little bit. And before you know, there's a distance and you stop. And if you're both that person that isn't good at keeping in touch,

that's a way of losing friendships without meaning to. No. Because you do need that way. One person that is that person that will ring up or send that text. Yeah, the instigator. Yeah, yeah. Definitely. So I guess, yeah, it's quite special to have this circle of friends who, well, in my case, for 60 years, I've been in my life.

Incredible. And also, again, I'm not man bashing. It's not, I'm not man bashing because, you know, I'm not that sort of person. But there is something special about a room full of women. It's different. Yeah. Agreed. It is different.

And why do you think that is? Well, I do like female company, and I have friends that aren't that bothered. Ferris won't mind me saying this. My neighbour, who's a very dear friend, who, again, she's become a friend in the last 20 years because she became our neighbour, and we connected to really.

She got the ball rolling as she does, and we've become very good friends. You know, she's lovely. But she's a, very season, a girl loves girls in the sense that she loves her niece and her niece's daughters and her sister and loves my girls, you know, me. She's a dear friend, but she likes male company. I would say I'm the same. Yeah, do you know what I mean? So she's got that balance.

I would say I'm very happy. Like very soon. You know, if Jamie comes over, I classed Jamie as a dear friend of mine. I like male. company, Jack Rider, best friends. Yeah. Funny, isn't it? Yeah.

I think you're a bit like it. Like if I said to face, but I adore my wedding. But we're having a girly brunch, she'd be like, do you know what I mean? She'll draw the... No, I'm not as bad as that. No.

I like... She'll do it if it's fuss. Yeah. But I think she does quite like male company. If that's the way... Yeah, no, and I do as well. But Sunday made me realise,

I don't know if it's age. As you get older, the things you go through, your hormones, you're in a room with people that understand that as a woman you change. Men just don't understand what we go through. But they can't understand it. Yeah, we're just different animals. Some women struggle to understand it. It's how men going to understand it. Yeah, because again, the conversations that are being had, it was really ironic because a couple of conversations I had related to the speech I'd written.

And I thought that's really weird. Like we were talking about Ines, so my friend Ines had just come back from Italy and spent a week with her mum. She was looking after her mum, which is quality time for her and it relieves her younger sister who lives in LA. It's a lot. It's hard work.

And she said, I wonder who's going to do that for us when we're a bit older and I thought, oh, I put that in my speech. It was weird. And then, you know, just talking about menopause and which is how, I guess, the speech came about because I'd had a day of it Saturday. I was exhausted.

I crawled into bed. I'd been speaking to Enza who's had major operation on her foot, who was mortified that she might not be able to come. It was lovely to see her. Lovely she came. Yeah. It was a lovely surprise to see you there. And then I couldn't sleep because I really can't sleep anymore.

And I thought, how has no one done a speech or a poem? Maria loves a poem. And I thought, I'm going to do it. But of course, before you knew it, an hour and half had gone by. Oh, it was excellent. I did really well, and I played my own trumpet. That's not my skill set. And even I was so, I just thought, what a lovely memory to leave Maria for her to have

because it's all type of gym blessing printed it out. Oh, bless him. But yeah, there was just so many things that I was talking about in my speech. That would come up. Yeah, that were coming through, because we've all like-minded women. And all going through similar things, people at your age, the perimenables, people at my age, the aches and pains, or, you know, family members they're having to look after or young children, they're having to navigate whilst they've got

jobs. I guess the people you surround yourself with are going to be people that are like-minded, aren't they? Absolutely, yeah. So, yeah, it just, it was lovely. No, it was a lovely day. Thank you. It's very special, isn't it? Yeah, Maria's had a lovely 40th. She certainly has. I've got a message here from Vicky I've just seen your message about having good women around you I am a runner from Liverpool and do loads of long runs I could never do them without my amazing friend Carla to keep me going

she is mostly running with me or on my earphones whilst walking her dog I get my running and some get to sort my brain out while we chat that's from Vicky again conversations chatting I think now more so than when I was probably your age and even younger Natalie there wasn't that

women didn't support women like we do now I feel like women are very mindful of having each other's back looking out for each other I think we're lucky to be able to say that and we voice it yeah

I think actually there are still women who have a go at women do you in workplaces yeah I was going to say maybe in the workplace workplaces and online

social media women having a go at women I mean I don't know if you saw, I mean, it was all over the press and it's a little bit old, big old news now but when Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, his wife was with him. Oh, yeah. And the back that she got from the dress

she was wearing. I mean, it's appalling, isn't it? She's just there. Being a wife, supporting him, a very intelligent woman. Yeah. And her own life. And she's being vilified for having a normal stomach, because she's got a silk dress on, you can see it.

Yeah. It's outrageous. I guess it still does go on. Yeah. But I think we are more mindful of it. You know, I remember even in my Barclays days, you know, there were some girls you work with. It was pretty toxic environment. Because I feel like girls are a little bit more supportive of each other. Again, I think that's an age thing though as well.

Maybe. I don't feel we've got. Yeah, maybe. 18, 19, 20-year-olds, how are they feeling? Maybe, yeah, it's an interesting subject. Let us know. Oh, 7-8, 2019, 19, 19. Do you feel women have your back

or have you got situations in which you find it uncomfortable? We actually had a message which is an interesting one here. Hi, Nat and Neney. I've recorded this about 20 times. It's Nanny Cock. Female friends, female groups, I find quite difficult. I don't really have type female friends. It's definitely to do with the fact that my mum left when I was quite young and I think it's that sense of abandonment of wanting and craving for all of my childhood, my teenage years, my early 20s, really craving that mother figure in my life that I never had.

And I now has created this hyper independence that, you know, has served me well. It's served me well. It's kept me safe. But also it means that everything and every relationship that I have is all at arm's length. So I'm probably my own worst enemy with that one. Which is sad, but one good thing that has happened within the last sort of year or so is I met the most wonderful group of women when I was waiting for you at Lakeside for the Waterstones and we have got our own WhatsApp group and it's really, really nice to be able to share things in there because for me, that's ideal because it is at arm's length and I can choose what I share or what I don't share. and I've had quite a few big personal struggles within the last sort of year or so that I've just kind of kept to myself really because other people around me have got things going on

and it's been really nice to be able to share that in there and the women in that group are all really supportive and really friendly. So yeah, that's just my take on it. I think female friendships can be absolutely wonderful but also they can be incredibly toxic for another reason which is why I keep it at arms them because it's that don't want to get hurt type thing.

But anyway, I hope we're all having a lovely weekend Saturday today. I'm going to have a nice day at home on my own, which is just the way I like it, because the husband and the boy are both down the cricket club. So, yeah, take care. Oh, lovely to hear from you, darling. And just always, we've got another message coming up in a minute, but it makes my heart sing. That is why this pod is so special to us because people have connected.

Look what it's done. It's given people friendships, relationships. And sometimes, I mean, interestingly, she's saying that obviously her mum left and she's clearly guarded because of that. Why wouldn't you be? Indeed. And I was going to say, for me, it's done the opposite because. Me too. Yeah.

Because our mum's didn't leave us. I presume she doesn't mean she... No, I believe it's left. So, again, there's a difference. mums didn't choose to leave us. They passed. So for me, the important, losing my mum and growing up in a male environment, the importance of women, Natalie was from Dei Dor. I remember when I was Carrie Maria, I was just so desperate to have a little girl. That was the only name I had, her name, because I would convince myself. Everyone said I was having a boy, and I'd convinced

to myself I was having a girl because I was so desperate to not replace my mum, but to have a female figure in my life, you know, that you would love unconditionally, that would love you unconditionally because I'd lost that person. And isn't it funny that we didn't, we were blessed with daughters? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, thank God. As much as I love Dominic, of course.

Of course. Golden boy. But to have the girls there, yeah, it's enriched my life. genuinely has, as much as they're a bloody nuisance at times, it just, they're your friends. And as yours get older, you'll feel that more and more. Of course you go through this stage, teenage stage and blah, blah, blah, but when they're adults.

I feel very close to Eliza. I feel very lucky. Yeah, and you sure that you are. Very good relationship at the moment. Yes, it could change. But I feel like I went through hell at 12 and 13. I think Eliza matured early. And I had sort of, listen, of course.

Well, as a message I've had from my cousin Elya, so again, a very powerful, successful woman, my godmother's daughter, my second cousin who's in Italy and Elyar went to see her. And her message says about how mature Eliza is, what a lovely young lady, how much, she comes across very mature, yeah, because she's probably thinking, Gregor, she's 15. Yeah. And she's, yeah, she knows how to conduct herself and, yeah, but again, that all stems. from the women she has around her. She's grown up amongst a huge circle of women, Natalie. That's true. Not everybody has that relationship.

Not everybody has that volume of women around them. You know, women empower one another. You know, I find your brother has always said this to me. You know, if you surround yourself with people that lift you up, bring positivity to your life, enrich your life, not drag you down. And, you know, ultimately, that doesn't mean to say if we've got friends or family members that, you know, want to share a problem. Oh, no, that's, no. We're there to help them, support them. But equally, it's very important to surround yourself with people that are, you know, like my friend Tina.

She's a positive human being. She's very factual. She's very like, right, okay, so this is what we need to do. We need to do X, Y and Z. And she's, it's incredible. It's, they're good people to be around. And it's who you're, for me, you know, you and Sharon, for instance, I think I've learned a lot from both of you in very different ways.

It's, you know, and... Because we're a very different character. Absolutely. But you get certain things from different people. You look at them and think, oh, I'd like to do that that way, or the way you are with many, many things I look up to you and aspire to be like you, and I hope that I have children of the ages that your children are now and have the relationship.

But, you know, I do, again, I think the proximity thing is extremely it's invaluable actually but you can't ever not allow your children to do what they want to do or go where they want to go so you never know how it's going to end up do you of course or I might just get a camper fan and live in Italy anyway

just travel around it so who knows I think Eliza wants to move or stay out there I said you've got the same feeling I have is it that funny though because I don't think it's made up when she's messaging me I really want to learn the language.

I just love it here. I feel like I belong. It's not like going to Greece and really enjoying Greece. Do you know what I mean? Because what Eliza has experienced is being abroad. Obviously, it's not alien to her. We'll just come back from Italy. And she probably had a bit of that experience at the villa.

Yeah. But it's that thing of you're going somewhere. It's your holiday. But you're engrossed in family life. But it's normal family life. And that is their normal. They're not going, okay, they might go a little bit above and beyond with cooking. You know, maybe you're having a four-course meal instead of their standard three-course meal.

But they're doing ordinary things like making bottles of tomato sauce in the garden. Feed them. Feed them. Going on the tractor, cultivating the land. It's normal day-to-day life for them. And all of a sudden you're immersed in this. as well as going to the beach and going to a beach bar. They've done stuff like that.

And I was like desperate for her to go to the town where I have my apartment because I knew she'd love it in beautifuls, like a heartford in Italy, let's say. And then just bumping into family members as they're walking. So she's experienced kind of living there. Yes, yes. And there is nothing not to like. But it might be different if you're out there and you're having to work. Oh, of course, you know, they still have to make a living.

Natalie, when you're on holiday in Italy with family, it is the best holiday. It's better than any holiday you'll ever have. But the reality of it is if you were going there to live, you've got to work too. You've got to keep a roof over your head. So they still have responsibilities. But what she's experienced this week, I know,

because I've been there, done it at her age. It's priceless. It really is. And no holiday will ever compare to that. No, no. And the family are, So welcoming. I can't wait to go next year.

And she's very lucky they speak the language. So there's no language barrier. No, it's beautiful. It's, yeah. Yeah, we're going to do. No, I feel extremely lucky that she's been able to go. It's amazing. Yeah, and she'll come back feeling, well, no, luckily for her,

she's coming back going on another holiday. So I used to come home and feel so down. I used to have this emptiness, this void. Oh, I still remember that feeling. I don't have it now as an adult. I'll come home and I'm happy and ready to come home because when you're an adult, you are conscious of that you're lying,

and you're in someone else's home and, you know, I don't want to be in their way. When you're young, you don't care about stuff. You don't think of stuff like that. You're just having the best time. Everyone's making a fuss of you. And I used to come home and I'd have that sick, awful feeling. I'd feel so down.

It's horrible. She may even have a little bit of that. A bit like even coming back from Tuscany. We'd got used to all being together. Oh, yeah. I felt bereft. Yeah, that feeling, that's the word. I'd come home and I'd feel bereft of all the family members,

of which there are a lot less now, because many of them have passed or left the village. But she's had a fantastic, and we really must, must, must do it next year. Yeah, we're going to. Can't wait. Yeah. Here's one from Lucy.

Hi, Nat and Lynnie. It's Lucy here. I've just seen your message about the pod you're doing today on women, and I couldn't not send a voice. note to talk about the beautiful group of women that I have met through your podcast. Beautiful Sam Alice, Queen Camilla, the lovely Claire from Swanley, and gorgeous male. These girls are incredible. I feel so blessed to have met them.

We have laughed. We've been through some moments. They have been my cheerleaders, my support network. We've been away together And I just think Women in their 40s You find your people, don't you? And I just want to say a huge thank you

To all the girls And to you for bringing us all together And I can't wait to see What more fun times we'll have together. Thanks guys, bye. Oh, so lovely. That's a cracking message Because the pod's been going for what?

and a half years? Yeah, nearly. Nearly? Yeah. And in two and a half years, look at the bond. They're sharing good times, bad times, happy times, sad times, with friends that they've only known for a couple of years. And they don't all live near each other.

No, absolutely. They're all scattered all over the place. Isn't it incredible what's been created there? These ladies all come into the brunch? Yes, they are. Are they? Yeah, most of them are. Yeah.

What, so Sam, Camilla, Lucy. I think Lucy is. I'll see if she's coming, but yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, again, Beck's coming. Is she? Yep.

Loved your pod with Bex, I thought that was a really good pod. Yeah, you're really good. You come across really well, Bex. It's interesting because you feel like you're not, it's a bit like us. Again, you connect with someone. I felt like you're just having a chat. Yeah, yeah, no, yeah. And she was, she was like quite chilled, quite laid back.

Yeah, very good. No, brilliant. Oh, lovely that they're all. And also for them, then that gives them. and then that gives them an opportunity. To get together. To get together. Do, you know, overnight or whatever.

Yeah. It's brilliant. And that's what I love a girly holiday as well, like a couple of nights away with a girlfriend. I would like to do that. I love that. I would like to do that. Whether it's a health spa, whether it's a trip abroad, whatever it is. I just think.

Remember the last time you did that? Girlie, well. No, you've got me. Too long. Too long, yeah. Although me and ends, I keep friendly to do a little. Help spa. I know I've done it with Sally. I've done it obviously with you, health spas, Jan.

It's my last one. Probably a hen. I just think it would be. And Elisa's hen probably. I just think it would be lovely to do, again, a nice house. Loader girls. Yeah, be lovely. A few days away.

Really nice. Just think because, and this does sound like we are absolutely shutting men out of our life. No, no, no, no. But it's not at all the case. It's the sheer fact that women just get each other. You've just only got to look at a woman. To know what they need? Yes.

What they want to do? Yes. Go and lay down. Go and have a shower. Yeah. You're tired, go up. Yeah. You just get it, don't you?

Yeah. Not that you listen if I say you're tired. So it's completely irrelevant really. Just had a message from Amy come through. Hi, Nat. Hi, Lynn. It's Amy from Hartfordshire. I really like this topic. We speak about this a lot.

I think it's really important for women to have a good network around them. Because let's face it, it's a man's world, and we're just live in it, as controversial as that is. I'm 37 years old. I've got friendships with my school friends that spans over 20 years. I've also got friendships with work colleagues that spans nearly two decades, which again our relationships that I cherish but also we support each other throughout life's challenges so one thing you should know about me

is Lynnie's actually my godmother so this relationship was born out of a trip to Disneyland Paris of all places with our families when I was 15 me and Lenny just bonded there wasn't any other words for it and it was the first time as a 15 year old

that I felt seen understood and heard and that relationship has been remained consistent even now and it's something called we forever grateful for lennie's been there as part of my support network in all the dark times when i lost my mum six years ago it was one of her best friends but she was there to on the phone at my house whenever i needed her so you know she's always been there to providing that support that advice. But for women, it's so important that you have that network around you because life's hard. Life's really tough. And that network will pick you up when you're in a bad spot. They won't just be around for the good times. I'm lucky enough that I'm close to Elia Maria.

Nat, yourself, a lot of this network is going to be there. It's what you need. Lovely. Oh, bless her. Bless her heart. Thanks. James, thank you. I'll drop her a text in a minute, say thank you. But she means all of that. It's true. There's certain people you meet, you connect with, you bond. And it's important to keep that going. And she's right. I mean, obviously we knew the family really well. Maria was friends with her sisters. The girls were friends with her sisters. We went to Euro Disney. And I don't know, she just was like my little sidekick. And it just evolved from there. and yeah, unbeknown to me, I ended up being, well, she was baptised as an adult so that I could be her godmother.

That's how much our relationship meant to her. But I think sometimes people are sent to you in life, aren't they? Definitely. To get you through these difficult times because certain people are not going to be there for you in her case like her mom. Definitely. No one predicted that Jan was going to pass at such a young age. Yeah. Well, me and James Alexander met at the airport.

We spoke about that before, but we've spoken since then. Have you? You? You've sent me a message. And when I look back at losing my mum and having Debbie, I genuinely couldn't have done that period of time without Debbie. She was my complete support network. Going through very bad times, I could phone her at 3 o'clock in the morning if I needed to and she'd be there.

And in her defence, she had four children of her own. Absolutely. So it's not, and again, interestingly, and I'm sure James and his sisters and brother will say the same, I've never had my children say to me, or the girls in particular, say, oh, you know, you spend a lot of time talking to Amy or seeing Amy or committed to, they have never, ever, ever. In fact, she is so like the good one, Maria in particular, they're so alike. way they think, their mindset. So it's been sort of quite, you know, and I feel honoured that I've been there for her.

I'd hate the fact of it, any person, any male or female, if they needed some moral support and you could do that for them. So important. Without even realising it, you're doing, I've said this time and time again. I only acknowledge what I do when she highlights it because she loves to write, she loved, well, you saw what she presented Maria with. Absolutely. So framed. Beautiful words.

Yeah. What Maria had meant to her in her life, et cetera, et cetera. Amy's very good at putting pen to paper. And when she does things like that, it sort of makes you think, wow, I didn't really appreciate. But it's nice to feel appreciated and be told what you mean as well. Well, it's amazing. Because, again, that's a hard thing. You can take everyone for granted.

Not that you do, but you never sit down and say you're so special to me. But Amy is good at them. Yeah. Amy does. I think I do as well. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

And again, I think that's a lovely, that's a lovely characteristic to be able to know that just randomly you can message a friend and say, even if they've done nothing, just to acknowledge them and recognise them. It means so much, a little gesture can go such a long way, can't it? I mean, my friendship with Sophie, she's in Australia now, obviously. and it sounds mad because I don't speak to her as much as I did. And again, she comes to your life much later on in life. Yes, when... She hasn't been a lifelong friend.

No, Eliza at school. So, yeah, a good 10 years, 10, 12 years. God, that's... But I feel closer to her now. That she's in Australia. That she's in Australia. Isn't funny. Just because I appreciate her so much more.

Yeah, because she's not here. And I miss her. Yeah. But we'll grab our half and... now we talk. But when we do talk, you're talking about everything in such depth because you know you might not talk for another week because of the time difference and what have you. No, friendships are very, very special.

And for me, it's interesting because I haven't got any friends from school. No. But I think my life has been very different. And I've had to be very careful. I've had lots of friends along the way that haven't. At the time, I've had fun. Yeah. But they're not lifelong friends, unfortunately.

So how do you know? Because certain things happen and they take the piss or throw your money or they just let you buy everything. But do you think that would have been the case regardless of who you are? No. No, do you think it's because you're... No, I think it's because of finances. Because from a young age, you had money to spend and I'm a very, very generous person. Whereas I know who my friends are, proper friends,

because it wouldn't matter if I didn't have a pot to piss in. And do you feel guarded now when you're meeting or making new friends? Yeah, I don't feel guarded. With new people, I'm still generous, but I'm not as generous as I was, you know. But then I think you can meet friends at any time, actually. I think it's very important. I think you could meet someone very, very special out of the blue. Don't you think it's harder to?

to make friends as you're older, as you get older? I think it depends the circles you're mixing. I think with my line of work, people are quite open. Are they friends or acquaintances? Acquaintances, but I think you can make connections. But I feel, I think if, listen, I think the biggest thing, and I'm very, very lucky, is I feel my life is filled with everybody I need. If someone else would come along, that's nice.

But if I never met another person... You've got who you need around you. I've got everybody I need her who's around me. I feel very lucky about that. Well, I put a photo up on Instagram of us, yes, five, six. How many are we? You also put one on Patreon again, didn't you?

This is becoming your thing. Yes. How do you interpret this? And some of the comments. Brilliant. Your bra come up. I mean... It was a pair of chicken fillets.

I forgot about that. It's brilliant. He lies as chicken fillets, by the way, not mine. Well, I probably need them. They were very funny. Why was you wearing them? I mean, we all ended up wearing them, to be fair. I don't remember wearing them.

Oh, you don't even remember that? Oh, you don't remember that photograph? No. Oh, so when you saw me put it up? Yeah. And then I got all of them. They're all on my phone. So I looked for those ones of you, me.

Oh, yeah, we all did it. Ferry's put them on his ears. Oh, yeah, you thought it would be a really good idea to put them over your eyes. And we helped you along the way of us. Yeah, that was funny. Very funny. It's nice that we can take the piss out of each other. Absolutely.

Always. How long did it take you to clean? When did the last person leave? Oh no, guys. I'm going to have to, you know, because I'm a bit. We don't do cleaning pods anymore. So I'm going to have to talk about cleaning a bit. A little bit. So when did the last person leave?

So the last person left. I think it was kind of you lot. About eight-ish. No, no. Last people left late than that. Oh. So anyway, the last person with me was Ferris. Yeah.

Oh, Maria was the last to leave around 10-ish. She wanted to help clean. She was in no states to clean anything. So, oh, but she wanted me to wash the dress she was wearing, guys. Because she had to take it on holiday, and she had got some stain on her sleeve, and she was freaking out about this dress, and she went on and on and on. Did you, I hope you wore the bloody dress, Maria. So anyway, we cleaned the dress.

I got rid of her, and then you get to that stage. I mean, bear in mind, my first guest arrived, well, there was about 10 of us already there at half 11. By 12 actual guests started to arrive. So now it's 10 o'clock at night. It has been a long old day. In between all of that, I've had the drama of Dave, he hosted a vice president day at the golf club. So he had a big do.

He'd left home at 6 o'clock that morning. He literally got carried home by my neighbour Jim because he was in a bad way. So we sort of shoved him upstairs, got him in bed. I got him a jug of water. Bless you. I said, just call me if you need me. But please don't call me.

I've got a house full of women. So I'd had all that going on as well, isn't it? Mad. And no one was even aware of it. everyone was oblivious to it, especially you Natalie. Interestingly, so I got a pause it there. Yeah. I had such a lovely day I remember everything. Yeah.

And then obviously there's just a little bit at the end that I don't remember. But I didn't feel really drunk all day. So that makes it, I remember everything. Right. And I had a lovely day. So what don't you remember? Well, I just find it weird that I look at a picture and I can't remember putting those things on my eyes.

So that was at the end? That was late in the day. No, but you should remember that. Do you remember trying to getting up and wanting to go and see your brother upstairs? No. Oh. Okay. But that was when we were all set outside, Marrith, doing her presence.

Yeah. So I think it was after Amy's gift. You went. And the girl's gift. You sort of win. I think then... You relaxed. Do you remember Mark coming in to take you home?

Yes, I don't slightly remember that. Mark went, I've come to pick Natalie up. I said, you will be literally... I hasten to her. I said to her. And you just look to me. And we've done it to ourselves, Mark. Getting involved with the Cassidy's.

And he just sort of rolled you. He goes, well, I haven't done it yet. How words do they think? Poor Mark. I loved your story to Bex about him coming in with the bread and wine. Oh, jizzle. Fecachers. Have you had any of that fichacci yet?

Frozen. Well, I had a bit of the day, but I froze it. Oh, no, yeah. You'd have to be one loaf. Yeah. She took a loaf. She bought three, I mean, I was going to go and buy a load of bread. She bought three loaves of feccaptia.

But, guys, the sizes of them, well, we cut one up. Yeah. And we didn't get through all of that either. No. So I've got one in the freezer, which I will enjoy when Dave's baked. Yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Good. Sorry. What was we talking about? Oh, yeah, cleaning. So anyway. You did the dress. Wash her dress. Cleaned her dress.

She's gone. Then Ferris is there. She wants to help me, Ferris, bless her. But you know when you get to that stage where you're like, it's late now, I just need to have an hour on my own. Always round. see if I can tackle the bulk of this. Anyway, bless her heart.

She's helping me loading, unloading dishwashers. Oh, she did all my flowers. Some friends bought me flowers, which was so sweet. So she's doing all my flowers, because that's her job. Yeah. And I'm going to work Sunday morning. I know. I can't even have the morning off.

I've got to go work because my marks off, my fellow directors of, he's on holiday. So anyway, she did, anyway, eventually, ferris sleeves about half past ten. Yeah. So I said to myself, right, by half 11, you're going to bed. got to half-11, I was nowhere near finish. I've obviously slowed down. It's, and it wasn't disastrous, genuinely it wasn't. But I just can't go to bed and leave it.

And then I was saying to myself, why don't you get up at six and do an hour in the morning before you go to work? You'll feel refreshed, you'll do so much. I just couldn't do it. So I stuck my AirPods in, listening to a podcast. And off I went and I did the bulk of it, Other than wash the kitchen floor, I did the bulk of it. I went to bed about half a post 12.

Wow. And got up at seven to see to your brother and go to work. And then Monday night, after my walk, I cleaned the floors. But my furniture, well, we moved a bit of furniture around, is still where it was because I can't do it. I move it on my own. Dave's been in bed for a week. Bless him. He's been poorly.

So, yeah, it's been a funny old week. But it was fine. I was fine Monday. I went to work. I felt absolutely fine. My legs, it's my legs go on me. I was saying to Inessa, I think it was,

because she loves hosts. She's always hosting, bless her. She said she had her partner's family around Friday night, after work, hosting everyone. I said, if my legs go on me? Yeah. And then I have to sit down and just take 10 and then go again. She said, yeah, it's my knees.

I mean, and we're both very slight women. Yeah, you know. Your, bliming age does catch up physically. We're the same. people but it does have a way of slowing you down a bit. But it was a whole weekend of it. Friday night was a late night. We'd been to Union Chapel. I couldn't do the weekend you had last weekend. It was full on. If I had something going on on a Sunday here, I would not do anything Friday

or Saturday. Your brother booked this Friday night in London. Chubes hot, rich meal, going to Union Chapel. It was blimming hot in there, dancing, having a little drink, Then getting the tube. Who did you say there? David, Lynx, David Grant. Oh. It was all right. Oh, fair enough.

It was so hot in there. Beautiful chapel. It's gorgeous a union temple. But he had someone on before him, and I can't remember his name. He was brilliant. He was all right. It was just so hot. It was just so hot.

Couldn't enjoy it. Honestly, it was obscenely hot. I need to get one of those electric fans, if this weather carries on, that you carry around with you because, yeah, it was a hot one. Yeah. We had a lovely meal in a restaurant, which I won't mention. and purely because I don't know if that's where Dave's incident has stemmed from, maybe a bit of food poisoning. But it was lovely, delicious, and bumped into people we know and we had such a laugh.

It was so random. Oh, lovely. Talking of friends. And yeah, a friend of Annalisa's mum's, she recognised me. She was with someone who went to school with my brother. He recognised me. And we ended up spending that. We literally went to the same pub, same restaurant, same gig.

Yeah. Oh, that's lovely. Yeah, it was good. It was good. So, yeah, it was a full on weekend. I mean, last night, I'd make it. met up with a friend of mine, Elliot, which was lovely, and his girlfriend, and Mark and I, the four of us, went out.

But I said to Mark, we don't do that enough. We do not. There are certain people from EastEnders that we talk about. Just got to put these things in the diary and show we have a bit of dinner. And that's the key. Even if you have to cancel. Yeah. Just getting something in.

If you put it in the diary, there is an 80% chance it's going to happen. So not put it. it in the diary. We've got to do this. We've got to do that. We'll pick a date and it doesn't happen. So true. But, you know, we are, we can only do what we can do. Life is very busy as we keep quoting. It is. And the summer months are lovely because they're late, you know, it doesn't matter.

You're going out at 8 o'clock at night. It's still light. It doesn't light, yeah. And I am finding now, which I did want to mention before we go, there has been a change here. And it has just happened overnight. So do you remember when you said to me, why can't you leave Joni with Eliza? Oh, right.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I do. And I said, no, it just wasn't working with them too and whatever. I wouldn't do it all day. But something has happened where Eliza just seems like a little bit more grown up. Joni listens to her. And I feel like me and Mark can. Just pop out for a couple of hours. Yeah.

Or if I want to go food shopping, they can be here. Yeah, and I have to drag them out to somewhere they don't want to go. Game change. Oh, so what you've done. it. A couple of times now. Very short burst. But that will happen more and more.

But it's a game changer. And now I'm even thinking if they're all right at a certain times I could go to the gym, I could go and have a quick swim. It does make a difference because you're always got your children.

You're locked to your children. So I do feel like that might give me that little bit of extra freedom without always having a babysitter or always having to pay. So last night you had a babysitter. I did, I had a babysitter last night. Yeah.

But it's just night. It's weird how, The house changes and you don't even realise it's happening. And it will change again once Eliza starts driving. I know. She'll have more independence. Yeah. Yeah. I'm not saying you lose them, but...

No, it just changes. Yeah. Dynamics within the household changes. And you soon acclimatized to it all. Well, I feel like... And that's why I feel it's so important as women. I mean, you're... I mean, people say men aren't good to keep...

I'm like, your brother's got a massive circle of friends. huge. I'm surprised for someone who barely speaks. But he has. I mean, he's retired and he could be out every day. Don't get me wrong. Golf plays a massive part in that, but he's got all his work colleagues, clients. Yeah.

No, he does very well. And it's so important because then when your children do all leave home, Natalie. You have a life. You need a social network. And it's important to have also your own life. Yes. And socialise with your own friends doing things that you like to do.

And so it's important to have friends. Another reason to keep hold of your friends. Definitely. The episode on Monday before this one was a wonderful woman. You wouldn't have listened to it yet. Fantastic lady, Irish lady. You just need to listen to it. But there was a section of it

which was all about her going away with this group of friends and they write and they've got their degrees and now they do it every year and they go to a house and they do. And that's what spurred me on for today talking about that. I just think it's so important even if you do have that little tradition.

And that's what you have to start. Start a little tradition. Two nights away. Yeah. Every year. Sally, who I've mentioned a couple of times in this pod, well, she's in the Isla White at the moment with friends. She's just come back from a holiday.

They have that tradition where every year she's got a couple of sets. of friends, they go away as a group of friends, whether they're hiking or whatever it is, whatever interest they have. And that's the key, is set that tradition. A little tradition. And then every year it's like, oh right, we've got a book for next year. Definitely.

And it's a tonic, it's a massive tonic. And I even feel with Rye, what I just did, that's just so lovely with Nanny to have that time. Yeah. She never know how long that's going to last. Sorry, Jack. I could get run over I didn't just mean you Jack she's good at doing this

just sort of killing people off when they're not ready to go anywhere Yeah I know what you mean It's just so special But it's not even that You know as we get older We don't know what our health's going to do We might not be up to be

Going away and doing stuff like that So it's important to do it while you can do it So important And it's memories for the children That's why look This year alone I've been away with all my grandchildren Yeah it's brilliant

Twice Yeah it's so lovely Very fortunate to do it All right, we've been fortunate, we've been able to go abroad. It doesn't have to be abroad. It can be anywhere. But it's so important to have, I just hope they remember it because they're still all so young.

I do hope they will remember these. They will because you've got videos and photos. It's very different, isn't it? Yeah, and it's not morbid. This has not been morbid. But you do learn from your own, you know, I have limited, listen, I have nothing. No, no, bless you.

I mean, I do have you to leave. A couple of old photos. Yes, and how sad is that? A tiny bit of video that you've, You've got nothing. No, it's sad, isn't it? That's why for me, even, I know I'm going to have to put that speech out, my speech for me, I mean, so now I've looked back on it, I just think, I would love to have had my

mum to have said a few words. Absolutely. So just had that. Just to look back on. And it's nothing difficult. It's a seven-minute thing. It's nothing hard to do. But it's just what a lovely keepsake.

Really nice. You can leave jewelry. You can leave whatever. Yeah, you can't leave. But those memories. It's so important. It's really hot in here. Time to go, actually.

We're on an hour. Are we? Yes. Thank you, everybody, for listening. I really do hope you're plugging away, whether you're really working hard and the summer holidays means nothing to you or you're having a lovely time.

Thank you, as ever, for listening. Please follow and subscribe for me. If you'd like to have some bonus material and it really is some great bits and pieces over on Patreon, go to www. Patreon.com forward slash life. With Nat, if you want to join that,

look for the live shows, look on my Instagram, click on the link, everything's there. And I'll see you next time. Lynne, thank you so so much. Pleasure. Have a nice rest of the weekend. Yeah, well, I'm going to enjoy my garden tomorrow, I think. Lovely.

See ya. Bye, everyone.