Many thanks, people. I needed your words of wisdom because the prospect of no taste for a long time has suddenly hit me. I'm feeling really babyish about it because I'm alone all week and when my family visit in the weekend I can't even share a meal with them. Boo hoo. I put my lack of acceptance down to not having discussed it enough when I did see the doctor, the staff not emphasizing it enough and the fact that I do feel quite well on the surface. I'm even bored. I always thought that boredom was only for people who lacked imagination but this morning, in a fit of pique I got a ladder out and trimmed the neighbour's hedge which is shedding millions of annoying little seeds onto my car. It felt so good to do something outdoors and physical even if I had to stop as soon as I had cut the worst seed pods off.

Bart, I'm going to have to carry out some of your cognitive strategies to stop this train of thought. It will pass by itself but might take a little while:) Love your turn of phrase which always brings a smile to my face.