What was the best birthday present you ever received, and why?
A small bouncy ball given to me last year by my then 2-year-old grandson. I had bought him one a couple of months earlier as a bit of a treat and it must've stuck with him because when asked what he wanted to get Grandad for his birthday he replied, "A bouncy ball 'cos that's what he got for me''.
What is your message?
No man is an island. This sums up a philosophy of mine that we all need other people to make our lives better and we can't really survive completely on our own. Also, we're usually better off when we act collectively rather than individually.
If you were going to an island and could take only three things, what would they be and why?
Assuming survival wasn't a problem I would probably take the following:
• A guitar, to keep myself amused.
• A photo album, to remind me of family and friends.
• A supply of good books, to while away the leisure hours (including The Dummies guide to learning the guitar).
What's something only your family knows about you?
If you've got chocolate around, you'd better hide it!
You are a new addition to the crayon box. What colour are you, and why?
Probably orange, as I find it is a bright, uplifting colour. Although, I did say to my grandson that while the Rugby World Cup was on, my favourite colour would be black.
