In the studio

This is something of a rogues gallery but I've enjoyed sifting through hundreds of photos to find some of my favourites.

This was taken at Howick, Northumberland, in 1956. I was only 14 months old. Even so, I have some memory of this time. I already had a love of animals and was taken into a huge barn to see the cattle. With me are my mother, my sister Jacky and brothers David and Michael. Oldest brother Paul is the photographer of the family, so was probably behind the lens. Younger sister Berny was not even a twinkle.

This is where I grew up in Alnwick. Why my long shorts ( or short longs ) were pulled up to my armpits I'll never know. The laburnum tree was a source of climbing fun for years ahead.

I was glad to find this one recently. I remember it being taken and always loved these lions at Alnwick Column. They are still there, though now painted a ghastly bright white.

Paul with a camera again, this time in the Duke of Northumberland's Park. Me at the front with David and Michael. Dad was in the habit of taking us on long Sunday walks and we'd look forward to the smell of home-baked scones all the way home. This is my favourite photograph.

What can I say? Should have been a child star!

With my sister Berny in St.John's School yard. This must be about 1964, I guess. We were smiling - Sister Columba must not have been there that day.

A leap forward in time here - about 1974, the year I was studying at Bath Lane college, Newcastle. Taken by Martin, on Tyne Bridge.

1970s. Apparently, I'd been watching the film, "Death in Venice". That's my only excuse.

Somerset 1983. I like this one in spite of the droopy moustache. The star of it is a genuine world war two flying jacket. Sadly, it did not belong to me but it was a privilege to try it on.

Strangely, this was some years after the flying jacket one. I took this one myself, with the camera's self timer. This is how I'd like to be, mean and moody - some hope.