I started life with plans, but they never went the way I envisaged. In my case life has always taken unexpected turns, each one of which has enriched me in unexpected ways. I've been a farmer, a grocer, a confectioner, run a gift shop and been tourist information centre manager. For the past twenty three years have worked as a fundraiser for charities.
My current employer is the NSPCC, a charity devoted to the prevention of cruelty to children. I very much enjoy working for this organisation and admire the work they do, which I am privileged to support both as an employee and as a private citizen. I also still support my previous employer, the charity Oxfam. Being on the inside gives me a close view of charity work, a view which fills me with confidence that things can improve for thousands of underprivileged men women and children, if enough people care.
I've travelled a little, including trips to the USA, Peru, Norway, Denmark, Spain, France and Italy - plus one night in Morocco and an afternoon in Puerto Rico.
I'm happily married, have grown up children, like photography, Formula 1, most forms of music, reading, eating, sipping whisky and pottering about Europe and going out on mountain bikes with my wife - well, it's far more interesting than exercising in a gym.
I love of the wall ideas, like Bookcrossing, and was immediately attracted when I read about it in The Big Issue. So, that's me in brief above, and here goes.