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Two months short of his 101^st birthday our old friend Edmundo Ros has died. Officially he retired in 1975 but he immediately set about being fully active again. On reaching 100 he declared that it was finally time to take it easy. Those of my age must have frequently danced the rumba to his band. Like “They’ve got an awful lot of coffee in Brazil” his tunes were catchy and easily remembered. In moments of extreme elation I still sing them myself today.

What is it that keeps people going so energetically for so long? Continuing to work, we now know, is one important ingredient; it helps the mind to remember and calculate – two key factors in staying lively. Of course, it does not stop the encroachment of dementia or Alzheimer ’s disease but there is evidence that it slows the progress of these conditions.

Activity alone is not enough. Physical exercise is excellent, of course, and the interaction that a round of golf or a game of tennis involves is stimulating. Meeting up with friends at any time, if you can talk about more than your latest or next operation, is good, too. The secret of a lively old age, however, is joy in the work and play that you undertake.

Of all the benefits that age brings appreciation of the sheer fun of the world and all it offers must be the greatest. Of course, a good grumble about everything going to pot is de rigueur but knowledge that the journey is finite and the end of the line not too far off gives you an opportunity to savor, perhaps even more, the things that bring fulfillment. If, like Edmundo Ros, you share this with someone you love you are doubly blessed.

Edmundo played his music with gusto. Every evening at his club you would see him exuding joy and laughter that came from the belly, not just from the intellect. No matter which new celebs turned up, nor what songs entered the repertoire, Edmundo was there maxing out until the small hours. When members of the Royal Family visited they were treated politely as just another customer. The evening was their own, not the public’s.

One of the funniest of his songs was Bongo, bongo, bongo. It went:

Bongo, bongo, bongo, I don’t want to leave the Congo,

oh no, no, no, no, no

Bingle, bangle, bungle, I’m so happy in the jungle

I refuse to go

Thank you, Edmundo, and bless you. Enjoy your jungle while we do our best to enjoy ours with your vivacity and sparkle.