It seems to be the ‘in’ thing nowadays, to self-analyse oneself and then present a open-book…but these are not in any particular order of importance!
- Born near Lisburn, Northern Ireland in 1945….yes, a baby-boomer!
- My High School was the house which belonged to Sir Richard Wallace
- An ancestor of mine, (we share the same name, was hanged in the town square where I was born
- Some of my teachers told me I would end up the same, if I didn’t behave!
- I’ve worn glasses since about 14….and still hate wearing them!
- I started growing a beard in my late teens and it has never left me.
- Came to Scotland in 1962, when my father was transferred from BBC Belfast to BBC Glasgow
- Met my wife-to-be, a Scots lassie, on the street, when her father’s car had a puncture.
- Joyfully married to her for almost 42 years.
- Have two marvellous, caring, grown-up children.
- I used to smoke the pipe, but gave it up on the request of my young son, who said he ‘did not like the smell’.
- Have never fallen-out with our neighbours of over 30 years.
- We live in the shadow of the beautiful Campsie Fells.
- I cannot do the Rubik’s Cube.
- I am right-handed but my ‘grip on a cricket bat, golf club, or hockey stich, is left handed.
- I can play tennis with my left hand…but no better than with my right hand!
- I used to enjoy cycling but I now have to start practising again, for my retirement
- Enjoy Sudoku and cryptic, and skeleton crosswords.
- Grew up in the country so love all things rural.
- I adore the smell of newly-cut grass and new-mown hay.
- Cannot stand crowds and shopping!
- I adore languages…favourite is Italian.
- I once tried to learn Esperanto, but found no-one else who spoke it!
- Music is a great love…organ, piano, composing and choirs.
- Making music along with other people is best.
- I was taught the clarinet by a retired Band-Master of the Gurkhas…Major Ben Bently….he failed!
- Favourite classical composer for orchestra….probably Beethoven, or Mozart.
- Favourite modern composer for orchestra…..not yet sure, maybe Ravel or Stravinsky.
- Favourite classical composer for choral works…….too many!
- Favourite modern composer for choral works….John Rutter…definitely!
- Most emotional musical…..Les Miserables
- Favourite food is probably pasta.
- Favourite country is Italy….followed closely by Croatia.
- Most memorable sight….sailing into Venice one sunny morning.
- Saddest view………………sailing out of Venice that evening
- Most spectacular countryside view…..overlooking Wolfgangsee from the Mozart Blick, in Austria.
- Favourite author, when I get the chance to read…Bill Bryson.
- Worst regret is that I did not practise harder at piano and organ.
- First played the piano in public at the age of 11…..it was a little time before I was asked again!
- Enjoyed studying Pure and Applied Physics.
- I still occasionally see the Lecturer who taught me everything I’ve forgotten about thermo-dynamics!
- Designed sound and inductive loop systems for literally hundreds of buildings, including Dunblane Cathedral, Iona Abbey, and the Queen’s Church at Crathie.
- Went on to study and qualify in hearing aid audiology
- Have had our own family businness since 1984
- Have fitted hearing aids to some famous politicians and entertainers
- I like company and going out for meals….
- ……………because I CANNOT COOK!
- Prefer good strong East European red wines to almost any white wines.
- ……..but beginning to like Chardonnay!
- Unachieved ambition….to visit Petra….’a rose-red city, half as old as time’.
...Irishpisky.... 