“I am a profound pessimist both about life and about human relations and about po…” — A. S. Byatt

I acquired a hunger for fairy tales in the dark days of blackout and blitz in the Second World War.

The true exercise of freedom is - cannily and wisely and with grace - to move inside what space confines - and not seek to know what lies beyond and cannot be touched or tasted.

Cyclists. I really hate them. I wish they would not be so self-righteous and realise they are a danger to pedestrians. I wish cyclists would not vindictively snap off wing mirrors on cars when they were trying to cross in front of the car at a danger to motorists and pedestrians.