As usual, our discussions were wide and varied and included: Bankers and their bonuses; earthquakes; “assisted suicide and the recent revelations and arrest of Ray Gosling; Gordon Brown and bullying; the increase in UK state pension not applying to related benefits; pensioner health cover within the EU; drink driving and breath tests; the virtual disappearance of satire from British television; political correctness; the glut of show business award ceremonies at this time of year.