I am almost constantly amazed at the sheer array of people there are here in London. There are people from all four corners of the world. I make the short trip to Woolwich two or three times a week; just as I used to go to Crewe, simply for a change of scenery. Even there, the array of cultures represented and languages spoken staggers me. I see people from India in saris; people from China; as I wrote recently to my parents, the other day I was on a bus with some African ladies wearing full traditional African dress. They spoke a language I didn’t recognise. It is quite wonderful.

What’s more, people around here are getting to know me. Dan seems to know just about everyone south of the Thames, so people know me through him. Folk are starting to say ‘hi’ to me in the street, people from all over the place. It’s interesting how quickly that has happened. I love it.