This week I turned 32. I estimate that three-quarters of my life has now elapsed, and I've little, really, of consequence to show for it.

It was also my first weekend since arriving in London. My friends Paul and Trish were in Istanbul and generously invited me to crash this leg of their family holiday. I'd never been to Turkey, and still had a few days free until my Ashes duties began, so I packed an overnight bag and ambled down to London Bridge for the Overground to Gatwick. Ah, sweet freedom!