"Wow Mum,

is that a real record?" said my incredulous son with his eyes opened so wide I thought they would pop out of his head.

You'd have thought he had just discovered the lost tribe of the Incas or something.

Not just a white label promotional copy of a Depeche Mode single that is 18 years old and in absolutely mint condition.

What am I saying. "Just"....silly me - he was indeed in the presence of something important. I believe "rare as rocking horse shit" is a phrase that might be used. You could say it is a prized possession - just taking it out of the box tonight brought back memories of sitting on the floor of a friend's house at university, playing it over and over again, whilst getting utterly pished. I swear that Matt was trying to get me drunk enough to steal it off me, but he had no chance.

I am re - living my late teens and early twenties in musical terms - it has largely been Depeche Mode central in the car for the past fortnight, with a bit of Kate Bush, Def Leppard and Prince thrown in.

Eclectic? I should say so.

Right, telly box, tea, whiskey, crisps and bed. In that order. Maybe some maltesers too.