Sometime around about 40 years ago I started paying into pension schemes in the hope of a comfortable retirement, and had the world not changed as much as it has since then today would have been the day I became eligible for a state pension.

Today I have turned what once might have been described as “a respectable age” but these days is nothing of the sort. No pension, no free bus pass, though from here on in my prescribed medicines will all be free of charge.

In recognition of my maturity and seniority, my brother's kids have provided me with these very sensible and practical trousers and I have treated myself to this cat-nap-sack from the charity-shop down the road where I resisted the temptation to purchase a bust of our Lord Jesus Christ and turn it into a cuddly pram-toy.

I have had a brilliant day in the company of my mum, and then later with most of the rest of the family over the internet. The most wonderful gift is a book of photographs spanning my whole life which has been superbly crafted by my sister.

I love my clan.