As the Queen came to the throne the same year I was born (l952) and was crowned the same year as I was Christened (l953) it never occurred to me that I would have my biggest birthday so far – 70^th – without her on the throne.

That said, although I wept all through the long day of the funeral, in my heart of hearts, I wasn’t sad.  She had given us 70 years of devoted service, she didn’t suffer a long illness (or if she did, we didn’t know about it) and died very quickly.  I felt far sadder when Prince Philip died, as it left our Queen on her own.  The site of her, a tiny figure in black, at Westminster Abbey, with no one to put an arm round her was truly heart-breaking.

So how do I feel about being seventy?  Pretty good, actually.  I started my day at about 2 in the morning when I woke up in the night, by listening to my favourite podcast.  This is one my daughter put me onto.  It’s Parenting Hell by Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicome.  It’s very funny, full of bad language and is about small children.  What’s not to love?  I prefer it to other podcasts designed for older, Radio 4 listening women.  I don’t always get to hear the end before I doze off, but that’s ok.  I can catch up.

I think, while you have your health, which, apart from a minor heart issue, I do have, old age has a lot to recommend it.  For example, if you’re sharing lifts, I can claim to front passenger seat as I am the oldest and fattest.  You are quite good at quizzes as you’ve picked up a lot of knowledge over the years.  While it’s very likely you are unable to retrieve the information, if you’re with others, this can turn into an amusing parlour game.  During Pointless my husband and I (I have turned into the Queen!) share the question answering.  I know the answer but can’t get it out.  He interprets what I mean from the clues I give him.  That’s what 50 years of marriage gets you.

I’m not retiring yet.  I don’t know how I’d fill my days if I didn’t write, and ‘time off’ would be no fun if you didn’t feel slightly guilty for skiving.

So my plans for the future include, getting far brighter frames for my glasses, wearing brighter colours and generally having even more fun than I have up to now.

My advice for younger readers of this – don’t dread the big birthdays, there’s still lots of fun to be had, even if you do find yourself listening to podcasts not designed for your delicate ears.