Why do we put so little value on practical skills like changing a car tyre - Sarah Todd

So after a night of shivering misery it came into the kitchen and sat in a dog basket in front of the oven. Slowly but surely those wobbly legs got some strength in them and while it’s all still a bit Bambi it can stand up and is supping like the late Oliver Reed in his heyday.

When it finally goes back outside it will pass a dirty great engine. There had been a car there for months; The Son saying its engine was worth too much to go under the crusher at the scrapyard.

It gave this parent greater pleasure than any academic achievement that, together with a mate, he took the engine out.

They first spent the morning fixing an old tractor to be able to hoist it up and then all afternoon cutting and spannering it out.

This lamb fixer and amateur mechanic hated the idle hours at university and this Easter holiday project made his mother reflect on the way we, as a nation, don’t put enough value on practical skills.

The majority of men nowadays can’t change a tyre, wire a plug or fix a dripping tap. Thinking of his 22 year-old sister she might have a degree and a good job but she can’t sew a button on.

There doesn’t seem to be much research on practical skills - or the lack of them - but figures found from 2016 showed 59 per cent of men in the UK couldn’t change a tyre, 51 per cent were unable to wire a plug and only one in five felt confident to fix a dripping tap.

Six out of ten men would call in an expert to unblock a toilet or sink, with 62 per cent unable to change the oil in their car and only 42 per cent knowing how to check the oil level.

Seems a pretty safe bet to presume the figures are even higher now.

Suppose the above all reads a bit sexist. Of course, girls should also be able to change tyres and check oil and boys mend holes in their socks.

The Husband proudly sewed all his achievement badges onto his sleeve when he was a boy scout in the 1970s and ironed his uniform each week.

In the first few months of married life he made the mistake of criticising his young wife’s ironing skills and from that day forward has been in charge of his own turnout.

Talking of turnout, what a delight to see the Royal children so splendidly suited and booted for the Easter Sunday service. Shopping the other day for a niece’s ninth birthday was the most disheartening experience.

This auntie had it in her mind that she wanted to buy some cute denim dungarees.

Rather than embellished with embroidered flowers or butterflies every single pair - even in Marks & Spencer - had the kind of ripped knees sported by second-rate reality television stars.

What is wrong with people that they want to dress children up to look like cheap imitations of trout-pouting ‘celebrities’?

A spare swimming costume always comes in handy, so an eye was cast over them.

Not a single pretty pattern or frill; all angular cuts and very much a unisex vibe going on.

Having gradually lost nearly two stone in weight over the past year, there might be a need for a new swimming costume if we ever get a break from lambs and lads dismantling engines.

It’s perhaps interesting to note that while the pounds have been coming off our order for the milkman has changed to full-fat milk. Semi-skimmed has been shown the door and plenty of red meat and vegetables welcomed in.

At the risk of sounding evangelical, a chance reading of the book French Women Don’t Get Fat has been largely responsible for the less rotund shape.

Author Mireille Guiliano speaks such common sense about how portions have supersized and is a firm believer in the old adage that a little bit of what you fancy does no harm. The French mindset seems to be that rather than exercise being a punishment to be endured at a gym it’s as simple as using the stairs rather than an escalator.

Lamb needs feeding, so au revoir.