I thought it was a new design for HUD bifocals. As befits a modern, trendy, quasi-pensioner.

So, if you want to show a picture of the lake, you don’t take a picture of yourself with no background at all.

However over the years, the quality of the fabrics used has deteriorated and they don’t do size 16 anymore. For me a feather in their and Esprit’s cap is the cut of their trousers. It is very difficult for a larger woman to find the right cut of trousers. So difficult that I am stuck with only three pairs of old Esprit shorts because I just can’t find a decent fit anywhere. I’ve tried other brands and their trousers and shorts all fit horribly with the exception of Primark joggers.

I think the pressure to buy branded goods for the brand’s sake has eased off and it is perfectly normal to mix and match designer, high street and charity shop finds.

[Daphne – Your last line: exactly. That’s why people like Marlene Mizzi are so very late-1980s and 25 years out of date. It happens to a lot of women – they get stuck, in terms of clothes, hair and make-up, in what they felt were their glory years. Mrs Mizzi’s clothes choices and attitude to clothes and brands are 100% late-1980s. She actually wouldn’t look out of place in a late-80s documentary.]

So be it. Let her enjoy her sunglasses. What difference does it really make to you? I’m pretty sure you’re not walking around with second hand clothing or with off the rack type of clothes. So do us a favour if you have nothing decent to blog about then just don’t post anything and it might actually save your face in future.

[Daphne – Mrs Mizzi and I come from completely different socio-cultural backgrounds, so no, it isn’t jealousy. It’s mockery tinged with amazement that a 60-year-old politician can behave like a teenager from the sticks. Status symbols – or rather, what they perceive to be status symbols – are for individuals who need to build their own status. Others can wear a pair of Mango sunglasses and old shorts because their sense of self comes from other factors which make it materially inalienable. This is something which the savagely aspirational nouveaux of Malta find impossible to understand, but it is a fact. As a simple ratio for your elucidation, the older the family, the more rubbish the clothes; the older the money and status, ditto. Another tip: publishing a picture of your latest nouveaux acquisition is an absolute dead give-away of your socially and financially deprived origins.]

And her taste in fashion is absolutely awful.

On a different note, welcome back, Daphne – I hope that you enjoyed your well-deserved break.