IHAVE never been good with heights. I share with many the (mercifully resistible) urge to end the feeling of terror and anxiety by leaping into the void when I am near cliff edges and high buildings. Strangely, I can deal with aeroplanes without problems. For some reason I can’t quite fathom, sitting in a window seat 30,000 feet over the Atlantic doesn’t induce the same visceral terror as, say, I experienced on a visit to Durham Cathedral years ago when a clergyman friend played a joke on me.

He was a canon at the cathedral and he and a fellow man of the cloth offered me a behind the scenes guided tour. The crypt and undercroft were fascinating. I demurred at going up into the roof until they assured me it was all interior and safe. Indeed, seeing the curved and contorted tree trunks that arched apparently randomly within the roof was fascinating. How the building had stayed up for millennia was astonishing.

But then they led me through a door on to a narrow parapet inside the highest elevation. The ledge had one narrow rail at thigh level and the high altar was a dot below me. That, I truly believe, was the scariest moment I have ever lived through, as I inched my way slowly away from my worst nightmare. My friend, and for some reason he is still my friend, laughed.

I mention all this only because of an experience I had today. I am staying in an hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, this week and my room is on the 45th floor and has windows down to the floor. The interior of the hotel is open and balconied to its full height and for that reason was used as a location in The Hunger Games. An acrophobic’s nightmare. The view is spectacular but I keep away from the edges even though the windows don’t open.

Imagine my reaction when I notice four ropes dangling outside my window and a pair of feet waving into view from above. With sucker pads reminiscent of Mission Impossible, the window cleaner – yes, the window cleaner – descended into view and lathered and wiped my windows – on the 45th floor!

The ropes continued to sway and shudder as he continued on down with his flashing chamois and blade.

I hope he is very well paid. Unknown warrior, I salute you.