I have a Utopian dream that one day I will hop aboard the 09.05 Liverpool to London say, and the train manager will announce not just which coach is the quiet zone and where first class is situated but also where I can find the learning carriage.

In this carriage would be fellow passengers who wish to share their learning. So, my friend Debbie, for example, could offer a discussion on all things Bronte, for there is very little Debbie does not know about the Bronte sisters. My mum could teach you how to crochet a granny square. For those drawn to science there maybe someone aboard who would enjoy sharing their intimate knowledge of the periodic table. Yet someone else could help you learn a little Greek, Polish, Chinese... You get the idea.

Hospitals too could have a Learning Ward for patients wanting to exercise their brain cells a little. Public Houses could have a corner for an interchange of learning also. (If you wish to know what it would look or sound like, take a peek inside your local Apple store and gaze around the Genius Bar. It's quite an encounter.)

Yes, yes, I know, it's all very will-o'-the-wisp. But all is not lost. One doesn't have to fiddle about long on the static locomotive that is a 'search engine' to find classes in one's own locality, on a whole train-load of wonderful and diverse topics.

What's superb these days too, is that adult learning centers are very aware of how overwhelming it can feel to sign up for a whole school year of Tuesday evenings, for example. So, many colleges offer 'taster' courses.

A college near my home here in Liverpool, offers two hours a week, for five weeks, in a whole plethora of subjects. I like the idea that we could then share with others what we have learned.

We're spoilt for choice. Dress-making? Mosaics? Local History? Up-cycling old furniture? Belly-dancing? ...

I just want it known, that if I choose the latter I won't be sharing it on a train near you anytime soon!