TPR and I lived in two modest suites at the University’s of Birmingham’s Manor House. In the summer months we had the run of the building, but when term started in September we were more restricted. For example, it was dangerous to use the narrow back stairs when there were so many people about. However, we enjoyed greeting the new students at the beginning of the new academic year and wished them all the best for as happy a time that we enjoyed as first years 32 years earlier.

Christmas time was also special at Manor. This year we hosted a dinner party to which we invited JK, RG and DT. While TPR prepared the meal and I opened presents to see whether anyone had given us any condiments that would go with the meal. The hundreds of tiny jars of jam were probably not suitable for this purpose.

After the meal we lounged in the sitting room and watched the cattle in the snow on the beach. DT got all teary when she saw her cattle-herder cousins in the valley, but cheered up considerably after a quick phone call with them.