It is a shameful truth about me that I am often late. My sister will tell you that I’d be late for my own funeral, which is unfair and not wholly accurate because mostly I do turn up for things and I’m good with public transport. What is the case, though, is that from an …
When I was young I used to run cross-country. I was part of a great team. We won races. We took home trophies. I was not, however, a great runner. I was the makeweight in a team full of talent. My brother Bill, on the other hand, was a proper sportsman. He played cricket and …
There is a recurring dream I’ve been having for 34 years. It is the last term before my A levels and I am trying to revise Geography but, horrifyingly, I have done none of the course work. Not a single essay. I move from classroom to classroom, fearful of what and who will be behind …
Just now there’s an exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum, where I work, called 'Storms War and Shipwrecks’. It’s terrific, full of ancient treasures from the bottom of the sea around Sicily, but I feel slightly wistful whenever I arrive at work and see the posters for it, because it seems to sum up all the …
It’s half term. We are surrounded by our children. Actually, my family are all on holiday while I’m at work and I am in no way grumpy or ungracious about that. Obviously. But it’s had me thinking rather wistfully about the summer, when we went all together to Brighton for a day of beach, fish, …