On the personal health front, I continue to recover from my recent hospital visit to check my kidneys, which thankfully got the thumbs up. However, the after-effects of the general anaesthetic have lingered rather like a hangover, leaving me a little unsteady on my feet and generally a bit shaky. The doctors assured me it would pass and advised me to drink plenty of water, which I do anyway because of both the hot weather and the health warnings that apply to those of us living with dementia.Having Clem and Brian around has been a tremendous help, and I’ve also been lucky enough to spend time with all the grandchildren this week. That remains the very best therapy I know. Hearing from old friends has been another wonderful boost.I received the most beautiful postcard from General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, former Officer Commanding the Household Division in London, and his lovely wife, Celia. Sir Evelyn was also my predecessor as Patron of the Brooke charity, which cares for donkeys and working equines around the world.They had been visiting a mutual friend in Gloucestershire, and apparently I came up in conversation. They sent their love in a postcard featuring a magnificent horse. I shall certainly keep and cherish it.In these days of modern communication, I also received a lovely text from two friends from my ITN days: Sarah Vaughan Brown, the former Head of Communications at ITN, and Louise Hill, a brilliant media lawyer. They had heard about my illness and asked if they might drop by for tea. I can’t think of much nicer people and both have remained loyal friends, even through the difficult times at ITN.Less good was a text from my bank addressed to “Alice Stewart”, warning of unusual activity on my card. I’d ring them, but they are hopeless at answering the telephone.The next week or so fills me with joy. There are lunches planned with the Wakehams and the Bottomleys, as well as a visit to Hickstead for lunch and some superb show jumping.Turning to politics, I was pleased that Yvette Cooper was given responsibility for Health by Burnham. I like her and believe that, alongside Louise Casey, she could do a great deal for those of us living with dementia. They are both caring, capable women whom I like and trust.Elsewhere in the new Burnham Government, it is good to see John Healey back at the top. He is a political grown-up who knows his brief. I only hope he is not persuaded to follow his Chancellor’s namesake and squeeze the rich until the pips squeak. They already contribute a great deal in tax and create the wealth and jobs we all rely upon.No one in their right mind will miss Reeves or Lammy.There are still a few members of the team who have yet to prove themselves – and perhaps even to put parts of their past behind them. Despite dementia, I still have a good memory for the mistakes made by ministers and even by some of today’s rising stars.Taking VAT off power bills is a good idea, as is cutting business rates for the hospitality sector. No pun intended, but it is small beer compared with what is really needed, although it should certainly help create jobs for younger people.What we also need is the boost to the personal allowance that Burnham spoke about in the Downing Street garden. That would make a real difference to millions of people.