: About Me

Growing up was never part of the plan. One day I'll get fit and do up the house, but in the meantime there's a planet to explore & books to be read.

My passion is ...

the planet, and the written word. If I can't be travelling, I want to be reading or writing.

I know too much about ...

not being myself.

My parents always told me ...

"Just do your best". Over the years I've taken that to mean no-one can expect any more than my best, & I don't have the right to deliver any less.

My childhood ambition ...

To be Modesty Blaise...failing that I wanted to be a spy. Sadly I picked the wrong foreign languages & the wrong University.

My favorite memory ...

Listening to a sexy tenor sax, while watching the late afternoon sun kiss the sea with silver flashes and drinking ice cold Bud, at the end of a long country walk. Norfolk circa 2001.

Why I write ...

...because I must.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Reading Little Gods, watching Heroes & The Mentalist, and listening to the birds when I manage to get up early enough.

My first job ...

Weekend work in a newsagent when I was at school. First proper job was as secretary in the firm I still work for, 22 years on...moved on a bit since then (I hope).

My best moment ...

...sunrise over Machupucchare; the colour fading out of the Vinales valley in Cuba at sunset; the first time 'he' said I love you; every time I've felt the peace of a sacred space; waking from a bad dream to find I'm alive and healthy and the world still awaits...

My inspiration ...

the beauty and power of the planet...and her ability to remind us 'we are not in charge here'. Knowing that I am a fundamental part of the system and yet an insignificantly small one is uplifting and grounding.

Relationships & Family > Friendship Issues & Advice 10 tips for being a best friend

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Friendship is that best of all comforts – one that is freely given, freely taken, upon which nothing and everything depends.  Friends come and go, some are with us always, others for a season, and likewise are we for others.  We'd all like to think that we have good friends but also that we can be relied upon to BE good friends.   We have little control over the former, but what about the latter?  How do we go about being a best friend? Forget that word "best" – friendship is not a competition.  Forget any notion of wanting or needing to be someone...

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