To move the discussion back to the trooping of the colour.
We were watching it when the commentator said they would now interview Major General X, with the same unusual surname as our next door neighbour. Up came the MG and his face, build and voice immediately showed the family likeness.
We were digesting this when out in the garden, we saw our neighbour, so went out and asked. 'Yes', he said,' my nephew'.
And then it struck home. Our neighbour is our age and if our neighbour is our age, his brother is probably only a year or two older/younger so the nephew must be much of an age with our children.
I come from an army family and for me Major Generals are much older senior officers. They are not meant to be young enough to be my son.
I was talking to DS later and commented on this and he promptly reminded me of a school friend who went into the army and had done well. 'I think he is a Major-General' he said. (he is, I checked)
I have now come up with a new definition of old age. It is not when the policemen look young enough to be your son. It is when the Major-Generals are young enough to be your son.