The super-prime market in London is fuelled by enormous wealth and mind-boggling prices.

I think an offer of £22m will certainly gain their attention.” So said one of London’s top agents to me regarding a house we were selling. She had the buyer. I recounted this to GG later that day and she offered me a wry smile knowing that tens of millions did not motivate this particular seller into a swift response.

Some effort ultimately brings rewards and instant gratification is just that – ephemeral and unsustainable.

Patience and perseverance are qualities to be respected in an age that demands instant gratification. I’m as guilty as the next of restlessness if my desires are not swiftly fulfilled, but then I am part of the MTV generation. We’ve become used to subliminal imagery and corrosive advertising promulgating body fascism thanks to programmes such as The X Factor, which assert that we’re all stars. The ethos of working hard in order to achieve a goal is unfashionable.