A colleague of my wife's is married to a bloke called Tim Storrie. Tim is a medium-sized bear of a man, affable, funny and clever. We generally meet at social events organised by our wives, and at one of these a year or so ago I made an enthusiastic comment about something or other.
Tim's response was, "Christ Nick, I've never heard you say you liked anything before now".
I was mortified. There are plenty of things I dislike - eggs, ballet, Simon Cowell - but also plenty of things I do. I don't know Tim Storrie that well - although sufficiently well to know that the world does not contain nearly enough people like him - and perhaps he just needs to sit next to me at meal-times a bit more often.
But in honour of his misjudgement I thought I would begin an occasional series of enthusiasms. This is number one, in honour of its inspiration. I would have called it the Tim Storrie Memorial Column, but Tim is alive, well and practising law.
Column number two coming shortly.
