My courting experience is well out of date but I do recall enjoying the company of a young lady with whom I "stepped out" . I was one of those men who knew how to take the initiative but I wanted not to in this case as she was quite a bit younger than me and at the beginning of her career. AAfter we'd been seeing each other for about six months, almost exactly 25 years ago, we'd been to see Dariel Fo's "Female Parts" and I took her to her home where, as usual, I was invited in for coffee.

Coffee finished, she asked "Are you interested in sleeping with me or not?"

"Of course!" I replied.

Two daughters, a house and 16 years later, we decided to call it quits but it was fun while it lasted and we now get along better professionally than we ever did while together.

But As someone who reaches his 60th Birthday shortly I am sometimes horrified by certain 'courtship rituals' such as those experienced outside school when I take my grandson each day. YOUNG single mums who are possibly looking for security make such blatant approaches offering themselves...their bodies...to me!!!!

Well, in the nine years since the split I've been taking the daughters to school every second week, coaching them (and umpiring) in the local netball competition (almost an all female sport) but I've never had such an offer; it must be the luck of your locale. And I'm quite happy where I am, thank you!.

Cheers, Rowan