NORTHERN PLANNER

I turned 38 yesterday. It's just a number. Like all sybols and signs, it's the context that brings meaning.

So here's some context.

My nephews came to stay this weekend. They roll their eyes when I go on about how all 'their music' is just a rip off of the stuff I liked in the 80's. Just like anybody who grew in the 60's tells me about the 80's.

Ten years ago there would have been lazing around in bed, after a heavy night out. Yesterday we took the kids to see the ducks, I got to do a bike ride AND read the paper from cover to cover.

I'm double the age I was when I started university

I look every single hour of those 38 years (if not more) but I'm just as confused and feckless as I was when I turned 18, 20 years ago.