Staying Warm

Alan Coren has been sent a thermometer by Ken Livingstone. So, he writes, has every Londoner over 60. It's to tell them if their home is too hot or too cold. Although the too cold level is desert-like compared to the house I was brought up in. You knew it was cold when your glass of water had ice on it when you woke up....

I sympathise with Mr C when he writes: "the website my gnarled fingers have to seek with queries about my thermometer is www.helptheaged.org.uk/winterdeaths. I’d have preferred www.helpthemiddleaged, or www.helptheremarkablywell-preserved, or even www.helpthesprightly." When does middle age start and when ditto old age these days?

The Coren dynasty bring much joy to our household. Dad and Giles in the Times and Victoria on the telly searching for definitions. Loadsa smiles....