So I’ve decided to take the plunge – literally next week and have a go at Aqua Aerobics. Despite the bidding of John F, who I know, would love to see my have a go at boxing, I feel the slightly more serene surroundings of the pool, might be just the ticket. And it is one of those leisure pursuits, that you watch from a distance and think to yourself – well how hard can that be? But then, I used to ask the same question about spinning.......

I am also going to take the kind offer of a free half hour session with a personal trainer. Now I don’t know how many of you out there in health and fitness land have ever used a ‘PT’. If you have, I would love to hear your views on it. I used to have one a few years ago. She had previously trained Princess Diana.

Now I know what you’re thinking – lifestyles of the rich and famous and all that. But not really. She was referred to me via a mutual friend. She charged a very competitive price and she was very good at what she did. These too were the days for me before children, when I still had disposable income, stomach muscles and pert breasts. I must say I really enjoyed the sessions and hated that look of pity which came my way when she knew I had failed to do my homework, or indeed any other form of exercise for the previous week. In fact I simply couldn’t bear the disappointment on her face, so I worked even harder and I guess it sort of worked.

I didn’t, as I’d hoped, end up looking like Cameron Diaz, but my backside did reduce in size. Previously I had looked like the Yorkshire Dales from behind. Afterwards I sort of looked like the Chilterns. So I will of course let you know how it all goes. I am slightly nervous about the ‘PT’. I am bound to get a 19-year-old stud-muffin who thinks I should be doing 300 press-ups and a 5-mile run as a warm-up....... heaven help me.