Happy Birthday!

It's good after the start of a year with so much death to be able to celebrate a bit of life.
Araucaria is 90 today; a very, very happy birthday you old bugger!

That may seem a strange thing to say about someone who I have never met and would not recognise if I tripped over him in the street. However, he has provided me, and doubtless many others, with some rare moments of pleasure, frustration, confusion and satisfaction. He is a great distraction and consolation when dealing with the NHS and other bureaucracies.

An affectionate tribute here by Simon Hoggart in the Grauniad, and even an editorial, I'm impressed.

Roll on 91 I say, that's over a hundred more crosswords.