1. Many funny stories about his students at Brookes: 

'The Animals' - a First Year group, graduating straight from the nursery, who leapt enthusiastically all over him whenever they met him in the corridor:

The mature student from a haggling culture who cornered him in the office for many a long hour trying to beat him down on the number of required modules she had to pass.

2. Having lunch with John at The King's Arms in Wheatley where the porky golden labrador obviously enjoyed customers' left-overs. She was called Tia, so we dubbed her Auntie Fatso.

3. Bringing Alex to see me to admire my tomatoes, sprouting from a growbag - my one and only attempt at raising vegetables.

4. Bringing his trailer to dispose of stuff in my garage and then, having a well-deserved cup of tea afterwards, tolerating my cat, who advanced determinedly up his knee. 'Go on, Minou, do pook my trousers, help yourself.'