My time reading philosophy at the University of Southampton was extremely formative, however clichéd it may sound. Living in an atmosphere of new ideas, critique, vast resources and freedom, whilst personally growing in intellectual ability and confidence, was an experience that changed me significantly.

I quickly discovered that the intellectual depths were deeper than I ever imagined and that it was foolish to attempt to set the standards of my own work. I had to strive to rise above myself time and time again, although this had a somewhat debilitating effect on my creativity. I had the time and the resources to indulge myself with a wealth of information for which my appetite grew and grew. Beyond philosophy, anything associated with the arts was my primary interest – in particular classical music, film and Russian literature.

This collection of the few pieces I managed to write during my time in Southampton are inspired, in the main, by nature. This may have been retaliation against the lack of romance in my chosen field or simply a yearning to return to rural life.