Country Life Magazine, the pub goers bible in our view, the upper classes guide to gentrification in editor Mark hedges opinion, recently published their 39 steps to being a gentleman. We read them with some interest. We can’t cover all of them but some made us smile.

Puts his phone on silent - seemed one we could agree with though gentlemen of our age often can’t remember where we left the phone.

Can undo a bra with one hand – generated a healthy discussion. None of us knew Mark Hedges proclivities but none of us has ever worn a bra. That left the only other reason and the consensus was that bras push up easily and quickly. Maybe that answer precludes being gentlemen.

Knows when not to speak – easy for men who have married. It is anytime your wife is talking.

Never blow dries his hair – a quick glance round the table showed we met this step without any problem, barely enough to blow dry if we combined what we had. Goldilocks Adrian didn’t agree.

Sandals? No never – instant agreement from us. Crocs with socks, summer and winter.

Knows sex isn’t a competition – we scored well on that one, preferring darts nowadays!!

Can prepare a bonfire – wake up Mark. Gentlemen have gardeners.

    There were so many more and we assessed all 39 – space and decency preclude many of the others. We gave a round of applause for Mark Hedges though. Publishing a list like this in Country Life takes courage or a wish for early retirement.

    Travel guide Lonely Planet has named Manchester as one of the top ten cities to visit next year. On that basis I might decide to avoid the other nine, though at least three are among our favourite places. If the list was based on the most likely places to get your hubcaps stolen or your car broken into it would be valid. Shootings are down though, so that’s a plus!!    

    Transgender wasn’t a word we knew as kids though from time to time we came across men and women who lived their lives as the opposite sex to birth. In those days it was considered odd but nobody chased them down the street to shout abuse, maybe commenting about them to friends, but nothing more. Now it appears that their situation must be broadcast and highlighted. The recent case where a male lunchtime supervisor at a primary school plans to change his sex is now dragging very young children into his decision. Teaching children who can barely read and spell about transgender must be politically correct nonsense. Their ability to assimilate what they are taught - we use the word taught advisedly - on that topic is more than questionable, confusion the predictable result. Leave it be. The children won’t even remember the change a week after it happens and mum and dad can answer any questions they have.

    On the same subject since it’s hard to avoid it, Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner, had her status in Glamour Magazine’s ‘women of the year’ generate an acid response from Germaine Greer. “Just because you lop off your dick and then wear a dress doesn’t make you a fucking woman.” I think we get the message Germaine. Hard words, but perhaps an extreme reaction to the ‘look at me, I’m different’ groups who want to highlight their situation. For heaven’s sake, get on with your lives and let us do the same.

    It’s not often we use the word classy in the same sentence as Australian, maybe because we’re POMS. That changed on Saturday after Stephen Moore, Australia’s captain of their rugby team was interviewed. Following a thrilling final, losing captain Stephen gave full credit to the All Blacks, no if’s no but’s. Good on yer, mate, for showing leadership both on and off the field. We need to add that it wouldn’t have been such a great game without you and the team you led.         

    The Pope recently told a gathering of travellers not to fight or swindle and to respect the law. I’ll light a candle and use the light from it to check the locks on my shed!