The reason for my silence over the past few days has been a visit to Sheffield, where (in addition to a day at “Awesome Walls”!) I’ve collected our grandson who will be spending some time with us. As things stand at the moment I am uncertain as to whether the climbing or the child-care will turn out to be the more tiring. It is good to have him with us, however, because the last week has involved a good deal of reflection on the past, and the ageing process, to which a future-oriented experience will provide a good corrective.
Age is a funny thing! Yesterday I was asked my date of birth by a young man who was filling and a form with me. He seemed to find it incredible that anybody is still alive who was born in 1942. I still believe that I have a future …. especially as recent weeks have seen the gradual ticking-off of items on the list of medical maintenance tasks which has built up over the past year. After this recent sequence of running repairs I reckon I am now in condition for at least another ten years. That should see my grandson either employed or at university.
The other day I was looking at a film which was made about my work several years ago. I was astonished to see that it showed me working on a piece which no longer exists. In fact, if I remember rightly, I never even finished it. It was startling to discover that, in its way of working, it bore a strong resemblance to the item I have just finished. Funny stuff, time!