My great aunt just peacefully died, adding to the collection upstairs... She now joins (in order of most recent) my best friend from school and college, my grandma (her sister) my other great aunt, my uncle (on my foster mothers side) my biological mother and my foster dad.

I have not heard anything from my mum for two weeks since she went to South Africa - a regular holiday spot. My biological father is now 74, his wife has had a cancer scare and all seem to be going to hospital more often.

I have not been back to the UK since August 2006, and that was only for a couple of days en route to my brothers wedding in Spain. I have not been to the Isle Of Wight (where all my biological family are from) since October 2005.

I can't really afford it, but I really should go back this year.

I know we TeakDoor members are of varying ages and many of you will have lost your parents already but does it trouble you that you are so far away from them in their last season?

If you have made a life for yourself here and suddenly your mum or dad is widowed, old and alone - what do you do?