As a kid, I enjoyed exploring. There weren’t limits - other than my attention. At home, my curiosity would take me somewhere. Once I had finished wrestling my sock off the family dog, Bob, I would sketch a rock climbing car concept. Then, after a sausage sandwich in the garden shed, which was inevitably interrupted by my intrigue in the bench vice, it was time for “air rifle vs food” - all documented with a camera for later analysis of course. In one afternoon, I had discovered the elastic limitations of 70pc cotton 30pc polyester socks, refined my concept for the “Rock Racer” and determined that eggs are more satisfying to shoot than apples - or even carrots. But carrots are more satisfying to squish in a vice!

Then my brother James became old enough to participate. This made things much more interesting. twice as much curiosity, courage and creativity. It landed us into a fair bit of trouble at times. I remember taking the air rifle into next-door’s farm and chasing pheasants through crop fields. While the exhilaration was worth every bit of the bollocking we received, I learned a more permanent lesson - I do not like killing things - apart from mosquitos. When we tied James’ scooter to the back of my bicycle during the summer holidays, we learned another lesson: My 5 year old brother’s face was no match for asphalt.

I suppose most people would call this playing. And all kids do that if they can… Perhaps thats the key to most kids’ happiness. But we seem to lose that as adults.