Yesterday I qualified for both of the above, plus free prescriptions.  Although by the time I get around to claiming them the new government may have withdrawn them all!

Yes, I was born on 18 May 1950, so have now reached the ripe old age of 60!  Do I feel any older? No! Am I bothered?  Also no.  After all, I'm really just 18 with 42 years' experience.  It took me 60 years to look as good as I do!

As the Spanish say, "la edad es nada más que un número" ("age is just a number") , which is similar really to the English expression "you’re only as old as you feel" (or the woman you’re feeling!).

The woman I’m feeling and I had a very pleasant day yesterday.  A long lazy breakfast, followed by late lunchtime tapas in the sun outside a bar in our village, then friends round for aperitifs before the two of us togged up and went for a delicious meal at the Molino del Santo in Benaojan Estación, the village down the road.

1950 was a vintage year.  Others born then include singers Peter Gabriel and Peter Frampton, songwriter Bernie Taupin, actors Julie Walters and Robbie Coltrane, entrepreneur Richard Branson, TV journalist Jeremy Paxman, acting Labour Party leader Harriet Harman, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and Princess Anne.

So, as I enter my 61st year, what’s in store?  Well, there are a few things in the pipeline, which I’ll write about in due course.  2010 and beyond is looking very promising!

©  Paul Whitelock