The old man organised his departure from this life just under three years ago, and periodically I miss him intensely, the rest of the time just getting on with stuff.

My first thought when I read the masthead message took me back to when I was about thirteen, in the early 70s, and I dragged my admittedly Victorian father in front of the telly to witness Status Quo's three axemen giving it some. He said it was interesting, and did I realise what they were doing?

"Playing their guitars, Dad."

"No, son, they're masturbating."

It took a few more years for me to realise he was right.