8 August

Today Alexander stops saying “I'm nearly six!” He got a new bike as an early present – it's got six gears, as he hastens to inform anyone who will listen. As is normal for six year olds, he is more interested in speed than control; cue parental conflict between the higher motive to empower the offspring, and the gut urge to protect.

I can't find a pic of him on the new wheels, but Dan shot a good one the other day outside my office, which is connected in a way: the campus, expansive in its area and fantastically varied in its natural environment, is our favourite biking ground.