Thanks Carol -but my 90 year old mum is a technophobe and won't have a computer in the house. Skype would have been the obvious solution of course, but not for my mother!! I'd love to have had a webcam and skype, and asked mum 10 years ago to go to classes to learn about emails and skype but she refused -I'm obviously not worth the effort. She said she was too busy.
If I sound bitter, I am , somewhat. Mum has refused the only 2 things I ever asked of her in my adult life, though she does anything for my siblings , who all married and had children. My monthly phone call is a duty, not a pleasure, but I keep it up to stop her moaning to all and sundry that I neglect her (I also send a parcel of bit and pieces once a month.
I'll keep looking for a cheap way of ringing. One member has given me a suggestion, so I ahve 2 to check out now. hugs Janet