When I was in the Royal Air Force in the 70's, it became fashionable to send servicemen on all sorts of residential courses at civilian establishments. Whether they wanted or needed to go or not.

For reasons still unclear to me I was sent to a conference centre in the middle of nowhere to learn about 'Moral Leadership'. I cannot remember learning anything about leadership and as it was residential and both genders there were precious few morals about either.

Anyway, the course amounted to a couple of hours in the morning, a very long lunch at a local inn, followed by a couple of hours in the afternoon, a semi-formal dinner and then another session afterwards before drinks and then bed. All very convivial and polite. I enjoyed it.

The only fly in the ointment was a small but vocal group of females who had 'issues and agendas' that they had to tell us all about constantly.

We were only supposed to enter and exit the building from the front doors, but the carpark was round the back and about a 1/4 mile walk. Most days it was quite pleasant after a long lunch to park and take a slow walk round to the front.

The day in question had been overcast and only got darker as it progressed. The rain started while we were eating in the inn - steady and continuous.

When we arrived back in the carpark the heavens really opened and it was the mad dash to the back door.

There was no porch and no awning, just the door flush with the wall. As each arrived they held the door open for the next person. I was second last.

When I got to to the door I held it open getting one arm nice and wet. Walking at a slow, but determined, pace was the chief woman of the group of women.

Her voice boomed over the carpark "I am a modern emancipated woman and do not require the door to be held open by a lily livered man such as you."

"OK" I called back and gave a cheery wave before turning round and walking down the corridor. The door closed and the last thing I heard was the little "click" as the Yale lock locked.

That afternoon session was the best of the whole course.

Regards

Chas