'Best tea I've had recently came from Mariage Freres in Paris, and was delicious, subtle, scented with the Himalayan leaf.'

I've said it before Thompson - you have at your command all the secrets of gracious living. You're an example to us all. In fact it borders on decadence.

Black sheets, aromatherapy oils, unblocking the chakras, difficult poetry on the bookshelf, wise and witty e-mails from national heroes....all washed down with sips of tea from the foothills of the Himalayas.

Oscar Wilde would have gone to you for style tips....