My work life was spent at Reading University, where I am still an Honorary Research Fellow in the Institute of Education. In 2003 I retired from writing and talking and my friend Meir Weiss introduced me to carving green wood in the open air. Using eyes and hands was a complete and welcome change. I usually work with salvaged wood. I start from its character, simplify with gouge and rasp, uncover colour, texture and grain; explore the forces within the wood, its transformation by decay.  It is a slow process and my output is quite small. I have become increasingly interested in texture and am exploring other materials.  I have worked with primary school children locally and students of Treloar's College, Alton.