In Australia it is 12.30am, Tuesday, September 21, 2004, which means that, for exactly 30 minutes, I have been aged 35.

I should feel a sense of loss, I suppose. Perhaps even a touch of 'the life is half-empty' dramatics would be appropriate. Yet, try as I might, all I seem able to rouse is overwhelming relief that I got here.

Two years ago, this was the birthday we weren't even sure that I'd live to see, so, I don't care how many candles my cake has, or how many lines my face has. I'll never be tempted to complain about 'getting older', because so many people just never get the chance.

I'll save you all some cake


Vanessa XXXXX