Left-leaning, former academic. Curious about thoughtful wit and depth with a little edge. Drawn to Georgian and Victorian architecture, history, words, art, the life of people's minds, deep time, law and culture, and the ways places shape people. And singing loudly in the car. The coast restores me - harbours, weather, salt in the air and hair. The briny. Salt, not sugar. Can't pass an historic graveyard, old church, prison ruin or an Italian meal. Family originally from Northern Ireland. A typical day: work, walking, reading, wine, politics, tending the garden and the meow.