"You look like you need a nice afternoon tea platter," she said.
Before I knew it some delicious looking healthy nibbles were placed in front of me.
I selected a carrot stick and took a munch.
It was awful.
Watery, tasteless and, well, really watery and tasteless. But that was enough for me to get the brain cogs whirring.
As I swallowed the less than average vegetable a thought came to mind: "I can do better than this."
And that's how it started.
Before you could say "another half-baked plan" Mrs P and I were discussing a move to a lifestyle property where we would grow our own vegetables, collect our own water off the roof, get solar energy installed and generally be healthier, less stressed and carefree.
Naturally, I wouldn't be able to go the whole hog. I mean I'd still need a decent satellite TV package to watch the multitudes of sport I plan to view when I do turn 65, but I'm sure you get the picture. We plan to give it a good go.
As I'm sure you will recall the Boomerang Child and her partner, Builder Boy, are very much this way inclined and upon mentioning our thoughts to them the whole thing has ballooned to the point where we are now very seriously on the hunt for a property large enough for all of us to cohabit.
Chief among our search requirements is the need for said property to be in a warm location.
I don't know what it is exactly but the minute Mrs P and I ticked past 50 years of age we seem to feel the cold a lot more.
We'd also like a nice stream or waterway close by so we can paddle our feet and have picnics. To be honest that's what Mrs P wants.
I'm more thinking a stream with a grassy area close by will provide an opportunity for, er, the odd romantic interlude.
I mean I'm only over 50 aren't I? Not dead. Anyway.
The kids have a slightly different wish list. They want a country environment, maybe close to a nice little country school for wee Poppy the baby.
But they do want a bit more land with a bit of bush in it and maybe a location where they can plant an orchard.
It goes without saying the Builder Boy and I both want a sizeable shed for man projects.
So, at the moment we're all looking in earnest and close to finding a real estate agent to do a bit of in-depth groundwork for us.
I have to say it's a little bit scary.
When we first got where we live now it was only supposed to be for a two-year stay.
But then kids came along, we made friends, I scored the winner in the cup final for my football team and got sloshed with the boys, including my Scottish plumber mate, and that was it. We were in.
We have been where we live now for the better part of 35 years.
The Scottish plumber, for instance, still pops around on a regular basis and we reminisce about old times over the odd gin, or in his case whiskey.
That sort of thing will be hard to leave behind.
Starting anew is not something we had really thought about.
But there's a general feeling that if we don't do it soon we'll never do it so we're taking the plunge. Hopefully, we'll find something within the next six months and the move will be on.
I might stay behind for a little while and continue in my relatively new job. I feel I owe a bit of loyalty to my employers.
Besides, it means I will miss a bit of the hard work in setting things up at any new place.
He says with a grin.
I am of course fully aware that I have a new plan every week. My mates have heard it all before.
The Scottish Plumber rolled his eyes back in his head when I told him the plan.
It happened so fast the sudden shift of weight in his eye sockets nearly caused him to overbalance and fall off his chair.
Luckily, despite teetering for a while, not a drop of Famous Grouse was spilled.
But I digress.
I make no excuses for my "plan a week" outlook on the future.
I believe variety is the spice of life and doing different things or seeking out new experiences enriches it.
There's also the fact that I will need a little bit of income to assist with any new venture on the land so a shift will give me a lot more material for my weekly ramblings and hopefully keep my editorial masters interested enough to keep me on for another 10 years or so.
Failing that I might have to look at selling a bit of home grown, organic produce.
Luckily I know just the product to start with.
Carrot stick anyone?
