I AM very fortunate that I live in a rather busy household, though I am afraid to say that I have only just realised the fact it makes me lucky.

Why? Well, I went to visit a friend the other day who lives alone, and as I talked to her, and at the same time listened to what she said about her life, I realised just how lonely it must be to have the television as your sole and constant companion.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not in any way underestimating the absolute value of having the TV on. It not only gives the comforting noise of voices but also a flicking movement that gives an impression of people in the house.

I have a couple more friends that live alone and I find that they switch it on when they get up and only switch it off only when they retire.

It’s not that they are watching it all of that time, of course, but the noise is comforting, and it gives them the feeling that they are not on their own.

Switching on my TV is ‘verboten’ till 7pm, though I must admit to a bit of recording before that time.

Well, I do have to compete with the contestants on Pointless and, of course, Eggheads, but that is for educational purposes only, you must understand.

I mean, one has to keep the old brain box in good condition and up to date, hasn’t one?

Once again the yearly present problem is rearing it’s - now, I was going to say ugly head - but actually I rather enjoy the the debate of ‘what to buy and for who.’ Christmas is one of life’s chores that I actually quite look forward to.