8th October 1961

It's my birthday today. After many hours of painful labour my mum finally pushed me out at 22:35 GMT. She says it was worth it - I'm inclined to agree.

I'm now forty-six years old. I feel about seventeen and look about thirty-six (or so my students tell me [isn't bribery a wonderful thing] no really they do, honest! would I lie to you?).

Thank you to everyone who has sent me birthday wishes, they are all appreciated and next year I'll be celebrating in the UK.

See you then.