Life’s good.

For how long, who knows? But right now life is good.

As good as it gets? I don’t really know about that because it might just get better and how would I know unless it does?

I’ve been genuinely lucky in life. Things have their ups and downs, sure, but underlying all that are some great strokes of luck - far too many for one person.

The biggest stroke of luck is being born in a wealthy, generally peaceful country where even the poor are relatively well off. I’ve never bought this politically correct drivel about all poverty being relative - tell that to someone in Africa who doesn’t have enough to eat. Not enough people appreciate how lucky we are.

The next is that I’ve been, so far, generally healthy.

The third is that I have been fortunate, mostly, to be able to do interesting creative, sometimes even exciting work - largely through my pen. Most people on the planet wish they didn’t have to work. I can’t imagine not working - to me, even if there are occasional bad days, being able to think that way is a seriously lucky break.

The fourth thing is that life has been interesting - others have made more money, others have achieved greater positions, but a narrow focus hasn’t been my way. I’ve been blessed with the ability to think and I’ve been able to experience a wider range of things than most people will ever get the chance to try. I’ve felt part of great events, been able to play a role in the world and put a little bit back, helped a few people out who needed a leg up - what a privilege!

The last and the luckiest thing of all is that I’ve had a ‘whole lotta love’ - from my parents, children, lovers and friends. Some people never find love and that’s really sad.

If I walk under a bus tomorrow, I couldn’t have asked for a better life - just a longer one! But sod that for a game of soldiers, there’s so much more to enjoy.

Everyone who steps down from public life comes to the same conclusion. After a while they wonder how on earth they found the time to be an elected reprehensive.

Right now I’m indulging my passions. I’m enjoying playing guitar in a local amateur band - strictly rhythm mind you, but still something I never thought I would be able to do. I have real fun cooking for friends, entertaining and making new friends along with Jane, my clever, talented partner who shares my passions for food, desgin and travel. Work, travelling and digital image technology enables me to create pictures that please me and that now and again make the odd buck.

And there’s writing, of course. When I was a kid I didn’t win many prizes, but I got a Blue Peter Badge for writing something or other. Biddy Baxter signed the letter! Now it’s what I do. How lucky is that?