When I reflect upon the time we’ve spent together over the past 27 years – most of which I am happy to say was for lengthy periods both at home, at play and at work – I easily recall what you have done for me, how you have tangibly and meaningfully amplified my life, how I am indebted to you for your generosity, how you are critical to me and how unimaginable life would be if we had not met. You have always been there when it counts.

There are so many favourable things I can say about you. Your clarity is what I perceive to be your strength. I acknowledge from what you have told me and from what I have gleaned, your strengths have been hard won. In short your vigour is no accident. Your (sometimes blunt) wisdom is deep and touching. And like so many success stories, yours is 10 per cent inspiration and 90 per cent perspiration.

To our mutual credit we work and play upon one another well (though I couldn’t say why). I see us as two individuals pushing the same stone with that regularity and assiduity that avoids gathering moss. I liken our mutual enterprise (because that is what it always has been) to ascending and descending a pyramid. I use the geometric image for two reasons; first, the narrowness and height of its pinnacle, and, second, the breadth and variation of its base. The third reason might be that we have our ups and downs; but in either direction (that is, whether pushing the ball of life uphill or chasing it downhill) we’re always doing it together and inseparably.

I congratulate us both for having done so many wonderful things together. I never tire of repeating that the time we’ve spent together has been for me the best of times!