IdeasXpress

Many years ago, when I asked where was the best place was to see Warsaw, they told me to go to the Russian Palace of Culture.  But, I said, the Palace is a long way from the city centre - what sort of a view would I get there?  They said that the virtue of that position was that from the top of the Russian Palace of Culture, “I would not be able to see the Russian Palace of Culture”.

On a visit to Melbourne, Australia and about to travel to Sydney I asked, what was the best thing about Sydney as a city, to be told that it was “the road going south”.

A keynote speaker I introduced at Chatham House, thanked me and said that a previous 'compare' (as he called me) had asked his wife who was in the audience at the time if she ever thought in her wildest dreams that he would be so honoured.  He told us she replied her husband never featured "in her wildest dreams".

These are some of the many anecdotes from a life of humour and commitment in science and technology, managing large groups of talented people and working across the world.  I now find myself living and working in Cornwall, still engaged with dedicated and passionate people.

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