Our family were always incredibly proud of Mike. My Dad was proud and begrudgingly impressed by how is older brother did so well at everything without seeming to try very hard. He used to recount how on his own first day of boarding school, he was told, ‘If you do as well as your brother, you’ll do very well,” and feeling rather daunted by this!
I remember visiting them in their flat in central London, when I was very young, and admiring their photos and being given plastic reptiles as a present. Mike and Trish’s passion for the environment, birds, reptiles and animals flowed down through the family. In time, my boys came away from their house in Cley with great stories and interesting gifts.
Throughout my life I’ve proudly retold of their adventures in Borneo, Costa Rica and Namibia. I’ve always valued being related to someone who lead such an adventurous, unconventional and worthwhile life. Visiting their home in Monteverde, being made so welcome and regailed with fascinating stories will stay with me forever. Sitting quietly and watching hummingbirds on their veranda is a lovely way to remember him.