Sometimes there are real perks in this job. As a journalist, I've been to some amazing events, travelled the world and had more than my fair share of free lunches. But when my time has come and my life is flashing before my eyes, I hope it goes into slow
motion when it replays my lunch with Sean Connery.
Sadly, it wasn't just Sir Sean and me, although if the technology exists to edit and enhance one's life experiences during the last great replay, you can be sure it will be just us two in a dimly lit alcove.
Sir Tony O'Reilly and all the big cheeses in his company were in town for a metaphorical striding of their fourth estates and a few media meetings - meetings which coincided happily with the Lions tour.
Sir Tony's Independent News and Media group owns my radio station, and, for that matter, this newspaper, so I was invited to a boardroom lunch with Sir Tony and all the directors of his International Advisory Board - one of whom is Sean Connery.
And in the great lottery of place seatings, I got to sit next to Sir Sean. The man is timeless. He is still absolutely gorgeous, and that accent, a slow, drawling, raspy brogue, is the stuff of fantasy. He's incredibly urbane and charming, and fabulously droll and witty.
When Jeff from the Fine Wine Company was rattling through the wines we'd be having for lunch, he told the table that his company wrote their own reviews.
"You don't say," said Sean, raising a marvellously expressive eyebrow. "Would that we could all have that luxury." Indeed.
Although he values his privacy, he is open in conversation and charmed the men as well as the women.
Meeting a man like Sir Sean makes you realise how overused, and misapplied, the word celebrity is. A real celeb is as cool and dry as a martini - and just as intoxicating.
