‘Well … you're in fashion for once. Big blokes with big beards and tattoos …’ she says, ‘I should make the most of it - it won't last!’

“Maybe not. But it is nice for a change to avoid those repetitious questions that any long-term bearded man grows weary of, and bask in the glow of temporary stylistic approval!

“Having worn some sort of facial furniture ever since I left school in 1984, I've grown accustomed to this whiskery face, though in those early days it was much more gingery brown, not white!

“The ink beneath is a different, though connected, story. And neither ink, nor beard, will be going anywhere now - even when fashion moves on once more. Beard on!…”