I am sitting in the Barony, a wonderful pub on Broughton Street, Edinburgh. I’m not long out of work and am waiting to meet a friend for a pint and a bite to eat.

Only I’m not having a pint – I’m approaching the end of a month off alcohol, a pre-wedding attempt to lose a bit of weight. And it’s working – one person who’s not seen me for a while said that I had done.

So I’m sitting in a pub renowned for its real ales, nursing a pint of fresh orange and lemonade instead.

I am also marvelling at the fact that in the space of a few minutes I can take a surreptitious photo, write a blog, and upload it for your delectation, all thanks to the iPhone.