EMPTY-NESTERS, their children flown and the house to themselves, have their dinner, sit down and watch television and are in bed by 10pm.

How do I know? Well, there were reports of shock when the offspring rang me from a party at 11.30pm to ask about baking camels (stuffed with a sheep stuffed with a goat, in a pit in the ground, since you ask).

And reports of even more shock when she had to leave a message on the answering machine as we were out. I expect there was fainting and panic in the streets after I responded, when we did get in, at nearly 1am.

Further evidence came the other Friday, when she expressed doubt, to a friend who was sharing part of the journey, that we'd be able to meet her train at 10.30pm. "Of course they won't," said friend. "They'll be in bed at that time."

In her experience, parents genuinely did eat, watch TV and head for an early bed.

"No, they won't," was the reply, "but they might not be back from the folk dance club."

Come on, we can't be the only empty-nesters who go out and do things. We meet as many people in our own age group as we do younger ones. In fact, many organisations are expressing concern that the youngsters don't "do anything" and that there isn't an up and coming generation to take over.

Earlier this month I was invited to the stylish 75th birthday celebrations of Sunderland Inner Wheel - admittedly at lunchtime - where the national association vice-chairman, Norma Friar, expressed just the same view on Inner Wheel membership and wondered where the younger ones were.

Looking round the Women's Institutes, Townswomen's Guilds, Mothers' Unions and the like that I meet, generally in the evening, it's unusual to see all that many under-40s.

Fair enough, these organisations may not attract younger members though, from what I hear, all are trying hard, but the generation which forms the present membership isn't sitting in front of the TV and going to bed early either.

It's going to meetings and joining theatre parties and organising fundraisers and going on courses.

I don't know where this TV and early bed idea came from but it seems to have become widespread enough for those with an official interest in our welfare to become concerned about us.

Understandably, they'd like us to stay active and interested and to know what's available in our communities, in the way of both activities and aid, as we live longer. They're setting up schemes to show us the way.

The council scheme which aims to help us keep fit and busy as we grow old (a process they seem to think begins at 50) was having a coffee morning near my home, to explain what it offered.

I'd have gone along, I really would, but I was too busy - it was my turn to help with the creche in the church hall which gives young mums a chance of a couple of hours' shopping in peace.

I suppose they didn't think it worth running a coffee evening.