Lent is here again and for the first time in 25 years I have changed my penance, considering that a quarter of a century of drinking nothing but water for six and a half weeks a year is enough. I had also got to the stage of going on autopilot, so decided to liven up the season with something new. I have therefore allowed myself to drink peppermint tea and diluted fruit juice this year, and to compensate for the slackening I have added in a food penance of no chocolates and no desserts.
Oh, dear. The water-only penance was at least straightforward, or at least I thought so, but it was strange how other people just did not understand the concept. As I hate tap water, I would ask for mineral water at functions.
