I agree with Arwa Mahdawi (Forget plasma infusions – the secrets of longevity are much more simple and fun, 14 August). The secret to longevity lies in simplicity and fun. I would add to that an occasional dose of adrenaline. I am a mere octogenarian, but my neighbour is 102 and celebrated her centenary by driving a Ferrari round the Silverstone circuit. Later this month she intends to perform her first parachute jump. Vivre la vie! Hugh de Las Casas Benhall Green, Suffolk In the absence of John Crace, I am missing my daily dose of humour in the Guardian. So, imagine my delight in reading this article (Pro-foxhunting group says UK hunters should be protected ethnic minority, 12 August). Hilarious. I had to check that it wasn’t 1 April. Dr John Davies Kirkby, North Yorkshire I cannot agree with Martin Kettle (In cancelling his family summer holiday, Keir Starmer has made his first serious mistake, 15 August). Can you imagine the response of the rightwing press had Keir Starmer gone away on holiday in the wake of the Southport riots? Ann Newell Thame, Oxfordshire A journalist noticed a butcher’s shop in Lanarkshire selling “pie’s” and asked a worker in the shop if there should be an apostrophe in pies (Letters, 14 August). The worker said he had no idea what the butcher put in his fecking pies. Jim McNally Glasgow