Those astute readers amongst you will realise that I have been writing a newspaper column since June, 2014.

The time has flown and so much has changed, including me.

I’ve gained a stone in weight (that’s coffee and cake shops for you) and my hair is a few shades lighter, but it’s still attached to my head, thankfully.

Who would have thought that seven years ago, we would have lived through a global pandemic?

It’s not something you ever think you will see in your lifetime is it?

I am so glad I agreed to take up the challenge of writing this column, the wonderful positive feedback I get (not only off the readers in Wales, but as far afield as Ireland, Switzerland, Canada and America) makes it all worthwhile.

I meet so many fascinating characters with interesting stories on my travels (not that I have been able to travel since lockdown, I might add, but you get my drift, I’m sure).

Without this column, the space would probably contain a crossword, sudoku and a few more adverts – and we don’t need more adverts do we?