The smell of roasting meat rose from the street stalls in a sizzle and a fiddle player begged for coin as he rasped a haunting melody. Life could not be more perfect.

Maria didn’t fear the sea but, as taught by her father, she respected its power. In her experience the ocean had no intent to drown travellers.

I pride myself on making my own decisions, sir, " she said. "I do not welcome gentlemen making them for me.

The jungle is alive. It’s dangerous as a living nightmare and brimful of hostility.

A journey is an achievement, Maria, just as much as a mathematical proof.

She enjoyed the sights and sounds of the dockside – ports were places of freedom.

Today is the anniversary of my husband’s death, " Maria announced. It was a dramatic statement, but the occasion seemed to demand it. "And I am going to leave.

There was something about Maria Graham that you could believe in – a slice of home. If not unique in her travelling, she was at least extraordinary.

Knowing me better than I think anyone shouldExcept, perhapsNo, probablyNo, definitelyDefinitely except you

A gracefully effortless floating, flowing and flying are the essentials of the ballet’s image of man.

Best trumpet: Mike Vax, an alumnus of the Kenton Band, who plays every style with a bright cutting edge, throwing in bop riffs here and there.

Time management is only a set of skills and tools to help us more efficiently control the eventsour our lives.

I'm very close to my family. Not like these big stars - not mentioning any names - who lose the plot and don't know who they are.

I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?

That was the problem with loving people: it made you weak. It made you need them. It made the thought of not having them the worst thing in the world.

The only problem with Haiku is that you just get started and then

Luck is preparation multiplied by opportunity.

Certain teachings in the Bible are as diamonds in a dung-heap.