There can be few experiences more satisfying than repeatedly cutting logs accurately with a single swing of a splitting axe.

It might not sound like much, and if you’ve never done it you’ll have to take my word for it, but creating perfectly shaped, and sized, chunks of firewood is a feel-good emotion.

And, don’t get me started on the moment you stand back to admire the wonder of a job well done when your log store has neat, tidy rows of beautifully packed wood.

I’m unaware if women derive the same pleasure from undertaking, and completing, such specific physical tasks. You’ll need to let me know.

What I do know is as I’ve matured in years the concept of enjoying boys' toys has grown within me, rather than dropping off, to the point I now relish the thought of firing up the chainsaw.

Maybe reaching the point where I look forward to visiting a DIY shop just so I can walk up and down the aisles gazing at ever-more sophisticated power tools should concern me. But, and I know there will be those who write me off as a ‘sad muppet’, I can’t deny it, I’m at an age where such things excite me. And, looking at the other ‘sad muppets’ in B&Q aisle 8, I am not alone.

However, a visit from my brother-in-law this week made me realise not everyone is empowered with this ability to derive pleasure.

On this occasion, I was braving the freezing cold in my man shed to clean down an old chest which a neighbour had been planning to run down to the tip.

Immediately spotting the possibility of some impressive upcycling, not to mention many hours of fun removing endless layers of caked-on paint with Nitromors, I’d had it sat on my bench for weeks waiting for the perfect moment to start.

But, and this is what made me realise there’s a spectrum of men out there, Dave simply couldn’t understand what I was thinking.

The thing is, he’s a self-made multi-millionaire, well, self-made in so much as he inherited his father’s family business but took it from strength to strength. However, his dad was so busy making money that he never did anything with Dave. I’m sure he wanted for nothing, but no one showed him how to do anything, and as a result, he’s never so much as even picked up a screwdriver.

He was astonished at what I was doing and couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t buy a new chest of drawers. When I told him I might not even keep it he was at a total loss. Sadly the very idea of deriving pleasure from making something yourself or enjoying bringing something back to life was completely lost on him.

I’m sure he’ll never be short of money and he’ll probably never be aware of what he’s missing, but after he left I couldn’t help thinking it’s sad he’ll never experience the pride gained from a job well done.