And so it happened – before you knew it you had reached forty.

What was once a simple chore has become something a little more cumbersome.

In a few weeks’ time I will have left that epoch that is known as ‘thirtysomething’ and entered that period that is ‘fortysomething’.

Already it seems there are changes afoot.

The first has got to do with me being annoyed with people who talk too much.

As a thirtysomething you can handle people who can’t shut up a lot better.

For many minutes you can listen to them as they try to tell how wonderful their life is compared to yours.

Then, as you hit the four-zero mark, it dawns on you – you don’t actually need to listen to these people.

I used to love to listen to people and their inane chatter for hours.

It was one of my pastimes as I smoked my pipe and wore my cap back to front. But the pipe has gone and the hat is used only when the receding hairline is having a bad day.

The thirtysomethings still think they are going to walk out at Wembley or score 100 at Lord’s.

The fortysomethings have long lost that dream and are now simply filling the time with pointless tasks between 9.00am and 4.59pm.

I think the worst thing is when you meet fortysomethings and they still think they are twentysomethings.

These people simply can’t let go and respond with comments like – ‘You are only as old as you feel.’ What utter nonsense.

That is nearly as stupid as those people who say life begins at forty. No it doesn’t. On average half your life is over at forty so try not to kid yourself.

At least I have another few years until I reach the next milestone that is fifty. It is usually the fiftysomethings who drive at 20mph on a main road. You would think with less time on their hands they might want to drive a little faster to get to their destination!