I think that I may have chipped a bone in my little finger once and have busted a tendon in one of my other fingers, but officially broken anything? No.

I too turned 40 last month. So far, I've been indifferent, but then I have only written or stated my current age once so maybe it hasn't quite hit home yet. I can also still take the mick out of the wife as she's coming up 42 in the new year.

As to being bothered about getting old; I find it surprising that I am a 40 year old father of two with a professional and responsible job, rather than some largely care free teenager, but at least I am still here and largely healthy.

There's only one alternative to getting older, so unless you are suffering (as many do) just be thankful for what you've got and stop worrying.

This is today’s joy for me. It’s something I am finding I am having to live with from time to time.

Why is everyone obsessed with 40? I think 50 is the one that may freak me out although hopefully I won't be too bothered aboutit.

One thing that does bother me as I get older is how quickly the years are flying by. Everyone said time speeds up as you get older and it's so true!

50 is as 50 was. 51 on Boxing day. Not doing too bad but agree about the smoking, its a bugger. I do a physical job, can still rush about all day but it is getting harder, I must admit.

There's apparently an interesting show on BBC this week - they take a group of aged celebs and put them in an environment very similar to what they were used to 30 years ago. Testing them at the end the old folk showed some significant regression in age related symptoms - their eyesight improved, they had less problems with arthritis and the like. Turns out if you think you're younger than you are, your body doesn't act as old as you are...

I wasn’t. A lot of people were. My mum told me that it was just a number, and when you pass 40 you can start to be more opinionated and people will either put it down to Great Wisdom or you being slightly mental. I kind of cause concern by being more vocal with my opinions now.

My other half took her 40th worse - her family is painfully competitive and she feels that she’s not kept up with various cousins. I’ve told her that she should not be playing that game, but she finds it hard.

I ahve cracked a couple of ribs and cracked the bones in my left hand but other than that have not broken anyhting

My baby sister passed 40 a couple of years ago. Now, that makes you feel old.

I think I probably feel older than I really am because Best Beloved is so much older than me.

Well, and all the youngsters with kids on Chavham high street. Sittingbourne made me feel ill in that regard alone.

My sis is 15, that's enough to make me feel old!

The only bit so far that bothers me about getting older is that everyone my age is getting on with marriage and kids.

Tell me about it.

I'm picky and a little crazy. What's your excuse?

That doesn't - didn't - bother me. There's a hell of a commitment to settling down and raising a family. Without having made that commitment, I'm free to do more or less what I want.

Of course, most of my "real" (as in I see them day to day) friends are of an age where their family life is past. If I had a lot of contemporaries busy with the family thing, I suspect I'd be out of touch with them pretty soon.

The same.

Commiserate with them and take solace that you're not equally in the mire with them.

Mark

Or their divorce.