I hate going to the opticians. Actually I hate going anywhere with even the slightest medical association – the doctors, the dentist, casualty (I waited 24 hours after dislocating my shoulder but finally gave in when I couldn’t fasten my bra) and slightly unrelated, the hairdressers. Actually you can add the hairdressers to the top of the list. I think the reason for this is somewhere between being totally useless at small talk and having naturally curly hair. The look of alarm on the stylist’s face after blow drying my hair would be amusing, had I not got to get the train home afterwards. But they never listen – you can’t break the curls. In fact you can’t touch, breath on or even look at my hair funny until it’s totally dry.

But back to the opticians. I’ve needed a new pair of glasses for months but I kept putting off the inevitable until they broke. Broke to the extent that they could no longer be fixed with the pound shop spectacles repair kit. Though I did try. So, I made the appointment, deciding on a local optician on Stockport Road who turned out to be very pleasant and extremely patient. You see the reason I hate going so much is because I get totally confused. After about 15 minutes of being asked which lens is better, or whether this lens is better or just darker (?) I become so bewildered that I start saying anything just to get out of there.

And then afterwards when you’re trying to choose your frames with the help of an over-eager assistant with training in ‘face shapes’ who tries to flog you the latest ‘designer frames’ or ‘Reactions’ lenses when all you want is just to be able to see the TV without squinting. . . .

But I have to say that my experience with the local optician was very positive. And if you want to avoid the usual supermarket-style-free-for-alls then I’d highly recommend them – Blustons Optometrists, 904 Stockport Road, Levy. In fact it went so well that I may even book a hair appointment. But next week.  Perhaps.