River deep. mountain high

Returned from his northern sojourn, Mr Gnome pauses from reflecting on Celtic spirituality, to gasp in wonderment at the news that Tina Turner (born 1939) is touring again.

These very recent pictures bear witness to the truth that age cannot wither the infinite variety of this remarkable woman, surely the ultimate role model for all of us who have passed our half-century.

Mr G (Born? Don't ask.) is saving up to attend one of TT's lively 'gigs' when she blesses the UK with her ineffable presence in March 2009.