"Computers" has to sit at the top of this list. I first used one at the age of 14 in Computer Studies lessons at school and was hooked immediately. I was one of the tragic kids who learnt to program in assembly language in my spare time, then failed my CSE exam because I'd never bothered to learn the mundane stuff they wanted us to know, like what a systems analyst does. Thankfully, by the time I got round to doing exams which really mattered - like 'O'Levels (as they were back then) - I'd figured the system out. Programming has always been my favourite subject, and I consider myself fortunate that I can make a living out of what is basically my hobby.

My other hobby is photography. It was always a bit too difficult and expensive back in the days of film and wet printing, but when digital photography came into reach of the hobbiest, it really took off for me. I did a short course in the basics at the University of Western Australia, and now actively look for opportunities to take the camera out.

Mixing the two - computers and photography - we arrive at my next major hobby: digital image processing. I wouldn't call myself a Photoshop expert, since that title takes many years to acquire, but I know more about it than most, and I have been known to spend many hours doing "digital darkroom" work on one single image. All the images seen on this website have been through Photoshop, and one day I'd like to think I'll be good enough to do photo retouching on a semi-professional basis.

The photography section of this website should point the reader to what I consider my other passion in life: travel. This started when I took off on a backpacking trip around Asia and Australia in 1990. A year later I returned to England for my sister's wedding, and the begrudging nature of that return demonstrated I had a severe case of wander-lust which hasn't abated to this day.

As well as these main interests I'm willing to have a go at most things. Over the years I've tried many sports including sailing, wind surfing, volleyball, badminton and rock climbing. I still actively enjoy boogie boarding, rollerblading, cycling and squash.