I have just bought the wonderful CD Rod Stewart (As Time Goes By), Rod's Volume II of The Great American Songbook. His voice sounds better than ever since his throat operation some time ago.

Listening to his lovely rendering of these songs made me turn a page in my memory book.

A few years ago I was taking a guided tour in the fantastic Highgate cemetery in London.

My friend and I gave the obligatory salute in front of the giant Karl Marx memorial, then made our way down a broad pathway. A black granite stone carved with two footballs and the name Stewart came to my attention.

Two women were attending the immaculate burial plot and I said to my friend: "I wonder it that's anything to do with Rod Stewart," as we know he likes his footie.

One woman heard me and answered: "Yes, Rod's my brother and the grave is our Dad's. Rod paid for it. If you had been here this time last week you would have met him." The lady was Rod's older sister, Margaret (if my memory serves me).

As in some quarters Rod has a rather "tight" reputation with money, having two wives and several children to support, I asked his sister if Rod is good to the family. She said he is.

How great to hear that a famous person's family think well of him.

-Joy Linford, Hove