Summer of 1979

In my youth I read a lot of science-fiction, by authors like John Wyndham, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, and their ilk. I also read a lot of fantasy, by Tolkien, Mervyn Peake, et al. 

Another influence was historical fiction. I especially liked Sir Walter Scott's mediaeval stories, like Ivanhoe and Quentin Durward. His ability to describe castles possibly gave me an interest in such defensive architecture that has led to a professional involvement, and is with me to this day.

So it is hardly surprising that I started thinking of my own stories, and eventually wanted to write them down. It is also not surprising that the first story that I actually started to type out had men wielding swords on horses, and all the trappings of pseudo-mediaeval fantasy. That story is what I am tapping out in this picture, sitting in my parents' garden. The main character was Bretor, a mighty warrior and leader. If you are that way inclined, you may have noticed that "Bretor" is an anagram of "Robert", so we are clearly looking at some escapist self-insertion here. So hopeful and ambitious was I at that time, I set an entire battle sequence to work synchronously with the "Mars, the Bringer of War" movement from Gustav Holst's The Planets Suite, so as it would work for the movie version.

My last recollection of the manuscript was the cat throwing up on it.

By the way, in reference to the charming photo, I bought the hat at the Glastonbury Rock Festival a couple of years before. It was excellent for working in the sun. I still have it, in fact. I have no idea why I am wearing those boots.