My grandfather’s clock Was too large for the shelf….. So it stood ninety years on the floor; ……It was taller by half Than the old man himself……., Though it weighed not a pennyweight more. ………It was bought on the morn…… Of the day that he was born, And was always his treasure and pride…… But it stopped short Never to go again When the old man died. (Henry C Work)

Worrying times. I dont actually have a grandfather clock. But the clock on the mantle has stopped. And so has the clock in the kitchen. A reasonable man might conclude this is because the batteries are worn out. But I have decided that my head cold must be worse than it appears.

My wife is checking that my life insurance policy is up to date. Which is not nearly as re-assuring as I would like.