I’ve learned a new skill

Back in August when I had a significant birthday, Belinda told me that she had booked a surprise experience for me. I was not told what it was until last Thursday evening before, when I returned home from giving a talk near Ipswich to discover my son had driven up from London and was sitting at our table.

He and I spent the next two days making a hand forged Damascus knife under the guiding hand of local farmer’s son and metalworking expert Will Readhead. The experience of selecting and arranging metal plates of slightly different compositions, then with forge, press, hammers, and sanding belts, turning them into a unique knife that we will use for the rest of our lives was fascinating.

Perhaps more importantly, it was the first time in a long time that Tom and I spent two whole days working on something together. That was good too. The experience also taught me of the importance of variety in life, and that I really should not spend every hour of my time doing things I’ve done before.