WARNING: ADULT CONTENT. I’m trying to grow my hair out. It’s been so long since I’ve let it all hang loose that I’ve forgotten what it looks like. So I’m curious. How long will it be? How thick is it? Will it grow in unexpected places? Will there be a few grey strands? Will it [...]

I don’t really know what it is about visiting Waterbeach but I remember being quite overcome when I first went there in April, and it was the same on this visit. Both times it started when I was greeted by Sara Noel, a parent at the school who put me up in April and also [...]

I had a lovely time last week visiting three more primary schools in Tiverton, and spending some time in Exeter, which I always LOVE! I wonder if everybody has a similar feeling about the place where they went to university — I get such a thrill as I drive into the city, see the red [...]

I drove down to Tiverton yesterday, as I have talks booked at four schools in the area: The Castle, Sampford Peverell, Bickleigh, and Bolham primary schools. The weather driving down was dreadful in some places — I found myself going at only 45 miles per hour on the motorway at some points. But today is [...]

Divorce petitions are strange documents to fill out if you’re both agreeing to everything and are managing the breakup amicably. Firstly only one of you can apply for the divorce, which seems very odd to me if it is something that you both want — surely there are enough people divorcing and remaining friends to [...]

Last week I was contacted by someone whose friend was in a coma in a hospital in Japan — the poor guy has been living in Japan for five years but is from the UK. When his parents arrived they found it so difficult to overcome the language barrier that they decided to get him [...]

After your marriage has broken down surely there are going to be two occasions that you approach with a certain amount of unease: being a guest at someone else’s wedding, and your own wedding anniversary. In my case, I was invited to attend my first wedding since my separation, on what would have been my [...]

Last night I dreamt of tsunamis and landslides, of houses sliding down hills, and people clinging to trees. It is a recurring dream that doesn’t terrify me anymore; instead now I wake up longing to be in Japan — although after almost fifteen years in Tokyo it isn’t the vibrant city that I long for [...]

I was thrilled to spend the afternoon of October 7th with the students of Thomas Keble, when I joined them on their annual 7-mile sponsored walk. This event is a highlight of the school year, where the 700 students walk along the streets, through the countryside, and beside the canal of Eastcombe. Money raised is [...]

Warning: this particular blog entry contains language and topics that some may find offensive! “40 and a little bit naughty” were the words on one of the birthday cards I opened on October 3rd, which I obviously took as more of a compliment as opposed to an accusation. Despite the books and businesses, speeches and [...]