Mosgiel sisters and identical twins Cora Wright and Elsie Fagg celebrated their 99th birthday at the weekend in their usual way, swapping birthday cards and a certain amount of good-natured teasing.
Each year the pair give each other cash in a card on their birthday.
But they have developed the tradition that whoever gives the card first, the other takes out the cash and returns it in the other card.
Asked about the secret to living a long life, Mrs Wright said "we've lived sensibly''.
"We didn't go overboard.''
Neither had ever smoked or drank.
Their medication also helped, they said, and the twins also have longevity in their genes.
Their aunt had lived to 101.
Both worked hard throughout their lives, including raising their respective families, and physical fitness has also been a factor.
Neither owned a car, both were keen walkers, and Mrs Wright rode a bicycle until she was 70.
These days they are still living together, at Mossbrae Healthcare in Mosgiel.
Their special shared birthday was celebrated yesterday at a family gathering and afternoon tea at the home.
And what has it been like having a twin for nearly a century?
Relatives point out that they do think somewhat alike, and over the years have both at times independently bought the same item of clothing or furniture, without knowing the other would also do that.
Mrs Wright was born first and was "the oldest by half an hour'', she says.
And in their youth, the sisters tried to trick people by pretending to be the other.
And, since infancy, their lives as twins have moved forward in parallel, and mostly in a happy way.
The sisters (nee Wells) were born in 1917 and raised in Milton.
After leaving school they both worked at the Bruce Woollen Mill in Milton, and later, after shifting to Mosgiel, they both also worked together at the Mosgiel Woollen Mill.
Mrs Fagg has been a resident at Mossbrae Healthcare since 2008 and Mrs Wright since 2013.
Both sisters had four children - two boys and two girls each - and both lost their husbands "too early''.
Twins ran in the family, as some of the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren were twins.
Mrs Fagg said that despite having a lot in common, "we don't always agree''.
Mrs Wright added that "we have our moments''.
"We just get over that and start again,'' she added.
"We're lucky that we're still together,'' Mrs Fagg said.
