There’s Mum with her new haircut, and a pedicure underway. There was a ‘gel pedicure’ on offer with colour, but Mum requested just a cut and file, thanks!

When I came back to collect her, there were two other customers one on each side of her. One had foil on her finger tips – waiting for some nail work to cure, I suppose, while she had a pedicure. She was young, with lovely olive skin and no need to go to so much trouble, in my opinion. I look sideways into these ‘beauty’ salons as I go past and wonder at the expense and effort of manicures and eyebrow enhancements. And what is it with the false eyelashes young women are wearing lately? And how can you do anything useful with long, lacquered nails? Who is it for, anyway? I haven’t noticed men being impressed – unless drag is their thing. Perhaps it’s just for the women’s own amusement; a happier thought than suspecting it’s due to a crushing lack of confidence.

Some of my happiest times as a young woman were spent tramping in places like Rakiura Stewart Island, and the walks around the South Island. You relied on your fitness and appropriate gear to keep warm and dry. No mirrors or make up for days. A wonderful freedom with life in perspective.