One thing that came to me only rather late in life – the fact that keeping slim and fit requires a vast amount of self discipline and certainly stacks more than I can own to.    I struggle with the need to turn away from that array of chocolate confections that sit there aluringly along the line to pay for petrol at my most convenient garage. . . . I do credit myself with some steel however as this particular palace of forecourt mastery also offers a walk in and sit in bakery of nationwide fame, as well as a drive through starry coffee shop.    I have often lamented the fact that so many ‘young’ parents these days seem to be terrifyingly large by the time their children reach the most impressionable age of early teen.  I recognise the problem is the easy access to all the hi carb, massive calorie containing sweet and doughy fare so loved by those who should really not partake.  The idea that breakfast must consist of a sausage roll or some kind of chocolate danish pastry is as alarming as hearing the children of said parent demanding to take out more supplies of those just consumed in the plush plastic banquet.

The keep fit brigade are a distant bunch when you go to fill up at my local!  But at least I have managed to recognise the failure of the system and manage to control all urges.  Not quite enough to stop driving the car that needs to be filled at that forecourt, but at least I am not a petrol head muncher.