In the twelfth century the Basque fishermen of Biarritz used to hunt whales with deadly efficiency. When the whales sensibly moved away, the Basques chased them further and further, with the consequence that the fishermen of Biarritz discovered America before Columbus did. This is a matter for local pride but on a larger view it is not quite so stunning, since with the possible exception of the Swiss everybody discovered America before Columbus did.

A sense of humour is common sense dancing.

I love reading about the sea. I love reading about it a lot more than actually being on the sea, when you think about it.

All I can do is turn a phrase until it catches the light.

Sick of being a prisoner of my childhood, I want to put it behind me.

It's a big thing to call yourself a poet. All I can say is that I have always written poems. I don't think I'm interested in any discussion about whether I'm a good poet, a bad poet or a great poet. But I am sure, I want to write great poems. I think every poet should want that.

Experts say men think of sex every 10 seconds... What do they think of in the other nine?