In both places [Paraguay and Newfoundland] people rise despite everything - both are pretty tough environments.

I am sure you have met diplomats; they probably travel far less than you do. Okay, they get to know a place very intensely - sometimes only the capitol city.

I think one should express opinions and these books are relatively opinionated. They would be a bit dry without it.

I am certainly very pro-Europe.

Diplomacy was what I wanted to do. From really quite an early age and I think I had a false impression that diplomacy equals travel.

What's fascinating is where they come from in the world. People in Bangladesh, a chap in a fire-base in Tikrit in Iraq. Chap in an Irish pub in Dublin. And lovely to think this literary network - or rather network of readers - is well spread out.

I would love to write a book that opens people's eyes to the more interesting side.