Music. Playing guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, harmonica and ukelele. Reading. Hill walking. Cycling. Travelling. Cooking for my lady and friends.

Too many but here are a few hardy perennials: Dr. Zhivago. Lawrence of Arabia. Goodfellas. Close Encounters. Lord of the Rings. Still Crazy. Casablanca. Spinal Tap. Taxi Driver. Apocalypse Now. Once Upon A Time In The West.

Old blues of any description. Bebop and some cool jazz. Honest country (not Nashville pap). A lot of modern, rootsy players: Martin Simpson; Steve James; Steve Phillips; Paul Geremia; Hans Theessink; Julie Ellison; Ralph McTell; Wizz Jones; John Renbourn; Mark Knopfler; Bert Jansch; The Hall Brothers; Duncan McFarlane; Gerry McNeice; Brendan Croker; Allan Taylor; (see all my friends at www.myspace.com/gerrycooper !)

Good fiction. Biographies, especially of artists and musicians. History of WWII and of the North East of England. Travellers' tales.

My lady. Guitars well played. My children. Top quality French red wine. Cuddling my grandson of 17 months. Opening the tent to look out onto snow-capped mountains against a clear blue sky. Driving down empty French roads with some great music blasting out. Watching Newcastle United win. Travelling and coming home.

Thoughtless people. Dogs. Stupid, selfish drivers. People who refuse to grow old (dis)gracefully and dress inappropriately. Badly behaved children, especially in restaurants. Wine aged in oak - bleurgh! Most modern music aimed at a mass market. Sexist MTV videos. Smoking.

Born in Newcastle, lived in Yorkshire for over 30 years. Three children, one grandson. Taught in secondary schools for 30+ years until given early retirement - hurrah! Spend most of my time making music and having fun, often simultaneously.