Uncle David was my Godfather, so I have known him for 45 years. Growing up and listening to his stories of his patients and his trips to Sikkim and Bhutan  (with their associated mishap and adventure), I felt so incredibly lucky to have a Godfather who seemed to be a cross between James Herriott and Indiana Jones! As I got older, I began to understand how important the data he collected was and how highly he was regarded as a vet and a scientist. It was difficult not to be over-awed by how clever and knowledgeable he was, but it was made easier by his limitless supply of hilarious stories.

Trips with him were always full of information and laughter, sea watching at Dungeness or finding fossils with Robin. When we visited him after he moved to Barcombe, I remember being amazed at the amount of produce he was able to grow in his garden, as well as excelling at everything else he did. I still cannot produce a quarter of what he did, despite being half his age! His recipe for ginger cake, involving a whole jar of ginger jam, never fails me. He was an inspiration in so many ways and I attribute my love of birds, which I have passed on to my son, to David. I was very proud that he was able to be there when I received my MSc and he gave the reading at my wedding. I was able to introduce my children to him, and my eldest son is fascinated by David's books on Sikkim and a Sussex Year. David was incredibly proud of all the things Robin and Helen achieved and he delighted in telling me about the developing interests of his grandchildren. I will miss him terribly but I intend to plant a quince in my garden in his memory. The last time we visited him in Barcombe, he sent us away with a huge bag of quinces he had grown and I can still remember their scent filling our kitchen.