Just a few weeks ago – well it was during that hectic time before Christmas, and there was a party coming up, I had a lot on my mind, but still...I had an embarrassing experience while shopping. I had just finished my usual tour of the shelves in Sainsbury’s, driven my trolley through the check out and (as usual these days) done all the payment work myself. I exited the shop through the usual doors and aimed for the pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights outside. I was just about to cross when I felt a tap on my shoulder and the voice of the security guard saying ‘Excuse me Sir…’ Oh Jesus, I was about to cross the road with the trolley ! I executed a rapid U-turn, returned the vehicle to its allotted position and unloaded my newly-acquired goodies. Did anyone else see me? Perhaps not. In itself a pretty minor incident, you could say. But it was the first time I’d ever done such a thing, and the tap on the shoulder was a reminder that I was no longer a teenager whose world was opening out to new places and sensations, but a fully-fledged Senior Shopper prone to memory lapses...Not quite the Grim Reaper but a message from one of his servants.

Pay full attention when you’re out shopping! (and crossing roads of course).