Going through security at a West Coast airport this week my harmless-seeming (if battered) shoes once again triggered off the system.

“Metal shanks,” explained a sympathetic screener as he studied these not so lethal pieces of fine English footwear. “Try wearing sneakers when you travel and just pack the regular shoes in your hand baggage”.

OK, maybe most people have already worked this out for themselves, but it seemed like good, if aesthetically distressing, advice to pass on to anybody (like me) not smart enough to do so. Just thought I’d mention it.