There's an old saying that I think is Chinese (and let's face it they usually are) that goes something like this:

When the father helps the son, everyone smiles. When the son helps the father, everyone is sad.

Now my parents, as I've mentioned, have just moved house, and they've quite a lot to do. We're going down there on the weekend to help out, and I'm beginning to get the impression that Dad's glad of the help.

Don't get me wrong - he's only 65, and still pretty fit. But there's no getting away from the fact that they're both getting older, and it's a funny feeling. After all, we all grow up thinking that our parents are gods. Then you realise that they're not perfect, next you realise they've spent the whole of their lives wrestling with exactly the same crap you have to work out, and then you realise they're as mortal as everyone else.

And somehow you never quite get around to telling them how much you love them.