We all know that the great memories of our childhood are the little triumphs - it doesn't really matter whether that was in writing, art, on the hockey field or on the football field. It's something that makes you feel - 'I can do this stuff.'

Perhaps it is partly that we need to love books ourselves as parents, grandparents and teachers in order to pass on that passion for stories to our children. It’s not about testing and reading schemes, but about loving stories and passing on that passion to our children.

I think there’s something about studying a book which will kill it if you’re not careful.

But look after yourself – there will be great dangers on the way. Remember, the right road is never the easy road.

Why does this war have to destroy anything and everything that’s fine and beautiful?

I have no pity for them, but no hatred either.

Charlie often told me we were living on borrowed time out here. I don’t want to borrow any more time. I want time to stop so that tomorrow never comes, so that dawn will never happen.

There’s a mouse in here with me. He’s sitting there in the light of the lamp, looking up at me. He seems as surprised to see me as I am to see him. There he goes. I can hear him still, scurrying about somewhere under the hayrick. I think he’s gone now. I hope he comes back. I miss him already.

I was brought up, as a lot of kids are, on ‘Aesop’s Fables,’ ‘Brothers Grimm,’ ‘La Fontaine,’ all those sorts of things. Hans Christian Andersen is a hero of mine.

That’s what sailing is, a dance, and your partner is the sea. And with the sea you never take liberties. You ask her, you don’t tell her. You have to remember always that she’s the leader, not you. You and your boat are dancing to her tune.