Musings of a Wealthy Man: Events and Faces

For LL

The Events

In this blog LL, I have posted some of my more professional work - nothing risque.

I also thought it might be timely to apprise you of what has happened in my life after we parted twelve years ago. Before I begin, I guess I should say that we 'parted' before October 2005. Not physically, but mentally and, in my case, emotionally.

You are well aware why. The 'why' dates from your revelation in April 2004, in Florida. I remember you saying 'I got my dates mixed up'. Did you really think I would accept that at the time? No way! Your supposed trip to Rugeley was in fact a trip to Oxford, and that guy. You just plain lied to me. After that you had blown my trust.

Emotionally, I moved on at that point and also physically to an extent. I tested you several times and you failed each time, including the house hunting forays.

I am still fit and well and weigh pretty much what I did twelve years ago, which is more than some folk can claim! Which means of course that I am still a performer, although with just one these days.

2004

In 2004 when I discovered what you were up to, I decided it was time to hedge my bets, as I had no trust in your not repeating what you did behind my back. Sure enough, I was right! There was also some software that kept me informed...

By the end of April 2004, I decided I wasn't going to trust you - I couldn't - and I wasn't going to 'sit around' in the hope that you would mend your ways and commit - you weren't going to. You should have but, as you said yourself, you always made the wrong decisions.

From that point in time I felt free, and so embarked on extending my investments, real estate and other interests and sources of income. Back in the day, I had invested funds in two relatively small but upcoming companies over here - namely Apple and Amazon. They have proved to be a fantastic investment. Some people make the right decisions.

All work and no play however, makes Jack a dull boy.

The contra to that was I loved you, surprising as that may seem now. As I said back then, I wasn't going anywhere...and I wasn't ... if you had committed solely to me. I wasn't going to leave you 'high and dry' as you put it in early 2006, either. I am not that type of guy.

To hedge against that, and also my sense of bereavement at losing my wife, I immersed myself in two things in particular. One was travel and the other photography. In that choice I had two complementary activities LL. To begin with I was experimenting, reading and practicing with my photography. Learning about apertures, exposure and lighting and then technique. The use of shadows etc. Most of my early shots were of nature. Then having seen some of my work and shown it online, I started to get inquiries That is how I first graduated to people and, apart from some personal shots, it was mainly portraiture and fashion.

All this was taking place whilst I was still seeing you. I was able to travel to Europe weekdays for a few days and still be able to visit you weekends, especially during 2004. In March 2005 of course I learned, via the software, that you were in touch with yet another man, so for me that was the final straw, but I made sure you were unaware that I knew. The fact I barely saw you until the September of that year should have given you a clue. Apart from that, my daughter needed my support at the time.

You might ask - why photography? I started far earlier than you might think. My first few steps in that field were in 1960 when I was barely into my teens. It was all in black and white as I could not afford color. The camera I used was a very simple affair made in Hong Kong and used flash bulbs. I also developed my own film.

During those early days I took lots of film. I still have the photos to this day. Among them are photos of past girl friends, way before I met my late wife. I will post some of them one day. They are all digitised now.

From that fateful time in April 2004, I looked elsewhere as part of my ensuring I wasn't left high and dry. Something you thought I would do to you if you came back - I never would have, but then you don't think and commit like I do.

It was surprisingly easy to find women who wanted to share time with me. As you know, I was very much a one woman man until then. First my wife of over thirty years, then you. No one else entered my life until you broke my trust. No one else parted from me on bad terms either. In fact, all the women I met are still friends to this day. Something that can't be said of the cold and calculating manner in which you left....then regretted your decision.

Women were easy to meet, easy to establish relationships with. That was something of a revelation to me. Whether they just plain liked me or whether I had an undiscovered charm, I didn't know - then. Some said it was my eyes and my smile, others my confidence and attentiveness. Two fell in love with me and still are.

There were many LL, and by many, I really mean that. In the time from April 2004 until we parted, I had met and established relationships with women en route to you, locally to where I then lived (East Anglia and London), over here in the US and in Europe. For example en route to you (and back) were several women who I knew. They were in Harrogate, Leeds, Penrith and in your city. Two of them I am still in touch with. You beat me to it, in a manner of speaking, by playing away when I was devoted to you. You destroyed my love for you in one fell swoop, but ultimately you were the loser...by a mile.

As I said earlier, I travelled to Europe, weekdays, in 2004, relatively easily from where I was living then. Photo commissions were building up and they were very remunerative, both in terms of income and, for want of a better phrase, side benefits. Naturally, not all the women I photographed were raving beauties. Some were quite a bit older and closer, or above, my age then, but my best photo work on people was with women younger than me. As a result many of them were very pretty, with lovely bodies to go with that beauty.

Places I visited in that period via Stansted mainly, were Germany, France, The Netherlands, Belgium. Denmark, northern Italy and southern Sweden. I had women in each and every one of those places...and by had, I mean 'had'.

You rarely if ever called me during the week, so not being at my home wasn't a problem...for me. If I was I had the occasional 'house guest' and of course commissions for photos there.

During this time I continued to build on my wealth, with real estate investment in a number of countries, shares, mutual funds etc. You never knew, but my checking account (current account) generally carried a six figure balance. I could see trouble coming economically mainly from reading and experience. As a consequence, I sold out of the real estate market in Spain, over here in Florida (mainly in 2005 and early 2006) where my portfolio had grown beyond what you knew about. After taxes I made a pretty tidy sum along with the 'small change' from Denia.

You may recall those messages I texted when I apparently stopped for coffee near Nottingham, on the way up and on the way back from you. Did you ever think that they were quite similar? They were because I had set them up as templates. Just press send and they were on their way. The reason - it was because I was either stopping off in Harrogate or in Leeds for a little recreation without the emotional involvement. The lady in Harrogate was quite something. A tall slim brunette aged forty two and possessed of a body to die for, from my point of view.

Leeds was an interesting situation. I had been there shortly before I met you on an audit for the insurance company. That was when I met her - nothing happened until 2004 when I suggested we meet up. She was blond (not a true one as I found out...in the usual way) aged thirty six and boobs that turned heads.

Penrith was so very convenient. It was where I turned off the A66 or M6 depending o which way I was heading and her availability for a little daytime 'nooky' was easy to arrange. She was very accommodating and indeed sometimes accommodated me overnight on a Monday. Where did we meet? Online of course as I was still on MFO back then. Two could play the game you were LL, and I did.

2005

This was an interesting year in many ways, many, many ways LL. Maybe, though, I should first explain why I was absent at Christmas 2004 - it wasn't because of someone else, just it seemed so false to spend that time with a cheating person, I couldn't trust. Christmas 2003 was because that was the first Christmas my family had without their mother.

I think it was the previous year I toiled on that bedroom at your place and spent money on it. When I visited in 2005 I was more than a little put out to see the wardrobes destroyed and stacked outdoors. I mention this as another small pointer to your behaviour and my decision to move on, and move on I did in a fairly big way.

Before I go further I should perhaps re-acquaint you with the fact that your partner was and maybe still is, having an affair with another woman, close by where he resides. On discovering this , and telling you (although I don't think you believed me), I found it quite ironic. Here was you having cheated on me, tied up with a man who was cheating on you. Perhaps he still is. I lost interest when I met Ash. What goes round, comes round LL.

2004 had been quite full with attractive women and their company, professionally or otherwise. 2005 was prove an even greater success as I have related, only in part, in previous blogs. By the early part of that year I had established myself here in the US and had good connections in France, Spain, Italy and Germany. There were also a few in Eastern Europe, including Poland, Ukraine, Croatia and the Czech Republic.

Over there in the UK, the connections were working very well in London and beyond, with introductions to the very wealthy. Income was pouring in, to add to the capital appreciation and rental income of real estate and my long term investments to mature in just over two years. When we first met I was already worth quite a number of millions. I had to laugh when you told me not to tell others about what I had. You really had no idea, did you! I had been investing from 1975 onward. I'll leave you to make a calculation, but the millions were in three figures, not counting the zeros, by 2007. I was careful and not too ostentatious, so you nor anyone else would have guessed at my true means.

The reason I laughed? Because you thought I was naive enough to tell folk, when I hadn't even told you. You probably forgot when making those remarks, that after the Navy, I had been in banking for 25 years, a lot of it in the City. One learns quite quickly to make money that way. I recall I sent you a spreadsheet when you asked would we have enough to live on. That was when you were wavering about coming back as you thought. What was in that spreadsheet was just a fraction of what I had even then.

I remember thinking at the time you said, in early 2006, 'why do I always make the wrong decisions', what a fool you were. Of course you didn't know the full extent of what you were turning down and also you based your estimation of me on your past experiences. That was a major error of judgement.

Back to the current year 2005. Come March my software/gizmo, call it what you like, was informing me of your online activity with other men. I didn't attach it to your computer - you downloaded it in a photograph. That always amused me, later, and still does.

That decided things for me, which is why you never saw me until September and Cyprus, That was almost your final 'test'. I came over here to the US in March/April 2005 partly for pleasure, partly business and a visit to relatives. That was the trip I made to Florida and then Oregon, LL. Thing was though, I also went to New York, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Salt Lake City and a few other places with all that entailed along the way - women I mean - clients and casual acquaintances. That year was a real fun year. But more was to come in the next two years.

I started writing in late 2003, shortly after we met. It helped me through my bereavement. Since then I have averaged almost two books a year. #17 is nearing completion, subject to edit, it should be published early in the New Year. To my great surprise my first book was accepted and published, and at that point I adopted a pseudonym to appear as author. Hence you won't find my books under my name, LL. Maybe one day I'll tell you. Basically, they are thrillers and have sold so well I could have retired on the millions I have earned from that source alone.

For the first few years they were only published over here in the US - the biggest English speaking market.

Come September of that year all that I thought, and knew, about your 'behind my back activities' were confirmed. I reckoned I would give you one last chance - hence our trip to Cyprus. You had ample opportunity to come clean then, but you failed and just continued to enjoy my generosity. After that came October 2005 and still nothing from you. Finally, you told me by email - the cowards approach.

In the event, I am sure you now don't feel aggrieved that I had followed your lead in seeking others ... once you had. In my case, to far greater effect and pleasure.

It was around then that I decided you needed a lesson, as I was sure this wasn't the first time you had done what you did, to others as well. I'll leave that matter, as it is now all history, except to say that I was protected from your action via the authorities...by the authorities. I'll leave you to figure that one out.

Christmas 2005 and the previous one were very enjoyable...in the company of others, if you catch my drift. There were a lot of compliant and flexible, in all manner of speaking, ladies out there!

2006

This was to prove the first of two superb years for me. Financially, I was/am very rich and very secure. Romantically, I had a great time, both emotionally and physically. I got a buzz from both. As you know yourself LL, four times in 24 hours was quite within my 'abilities'.

If memory serves we met twice after the parting. Once when you handed back the ring...but not the jewelry ... and once when we met in your lunch hour for coffee. On the first occasion you were cold and exhibiting a cruel streak. On the second you were wavering. In fact after the second meeting you wrote to say that you always make the wrong decisions. You certainly do!

At the time of the first meeting above. You walked out of the bar coldly, and I walked out to the warm arms and body of another, far more appreciative than you. One in Penrith, and another in Harrogate to be precise. both within 24 hours of your walkout. By the way there really is a Tim and he's still with The Regiment.

On the second occasion, I left to return south, again via Harrogate, and then to see Kim in Norfolk. There were two ladies named Kim, if you recall. The other was in California.

Using a large metaphorical spoon, I continued to stir things for you. You deserved it. In the meantime I spent more time in London, less and less in Norfolk. Photography had really taken off and I had my hands full ...in more ways than one, and very frequently! London and my apartment proved to be a boon not only for my businesses, but also my social life.

I had a number of near neighbors on both sides of the river (Thames), who were frequently up for a little fun, wining and dining and shows. Obviously money wasn't (and isn't) a problem. Add to that LL my clients, some/many of whom were not averse to, shall we say, a few games following a shoot. I was knee deep in attractive females and when I say that, there were two or three on occasions. In all this I was rarely the one who made the running. I am still figuring out how that worked! Not that I am complaining about those times.

Some American, British, European and Canadian acquaintances were 'entertained' in Florida. You may have been the first in that bed, but you weren't the last by a long way...nor the beds in the other rooms and properties (couldn't have the neighbors talking! So I varied locations).

As the year progressed so did my fortunes. Through a variety of contacts I became involved in pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, UK and the manufacturing base in Denmark along with the office in New York. More real estate, commercial and residential on both sides of the Atlantic. I always had more irons in the fire than you ever knew.

I think it was early in 2006 that I bought my first home in New Hampshire - I 'entertained' there as well - and also the first of several hotels here in the US, plus more real estate. I started my painting in New Hampshire and also, by that time, had become quite a keen and accomplished cook. It was also the year I spent about six months in Italy and learned the language. I had come a long way from when I first met you in 2003, when we were both suffering emotionally, but in entirely different ways.

I continued to stir the pot for you. You asked whether I was in the States when you saw the timeline on my emails. I said that I wasn't, although there were times when I was, mainly the early part of 2006 then later in the year and the odd short trip.

In the spring of that year I went to Italy. I had arranged several language coaches, I guess you could call them, from the north all the way down south. I have a plethora of photos to show you one day of the coaches (all women), clients and street scenes...ohhh, and a few bed mates too.

I think it was just before I left for Italy that my company also started buying in Europe - commercial property in the main. In among all this I acquired US citizenship. I also started to use my alternative identity. Something only my brother and sister were aware of at that time. I was a pretty busy guy - still am - but not in the female field being re-married some 10 years now. I even re-started my golf in Florida and Spain. Lot of deals done on golf courses LL.

Remember Gary Y - he went bust. Think his wife restarted the business. Haven't seen him in 10 years or more. Having sold out in FM before the crash, I started re-buying foreclosed property after the financial crisis. Made a small fortune by 2012.

My time in Italy was brilliant - two separate visits of several months in which I honed my Italian. I had always wanted to speak it fluently, and by the end of those visits I did. As I have indicated above, it wasn't all language work, by a long chalk! Photography figured too.

I spent some of the year either in the UK or over here in the US. During my time in the UK I enjoyed a few relationships and took vacations with a few, mainly to Spain - their choice. You will recall a few names, I'm sure, but as a reminder they were Carole, Denise, Kim, Karen, Anne, another Kim, another Denise, a Melissa and even a Cressida. That list is not exhaustive.

I met Carole through friends in Norwich. She was, as you will recall long legged and quite attractive...and wow ... something else in bed. She had a hunger and that's a fact, and I, for my part, did my best to satisfy it. She was fun both in the bedroom and outside of it. We met in the June and went our separate ways in the October, amicably. In fact I still hear from her 11 years later.

None of my relationships from 2004 thru 2007 were mutually exclusive, and there were many. For instance after I found out about your two timing antics, I went with quite a few others as well as servicing you at weekends and on the odd vacation. I'm sorry, but you were among the least interesting in bed, although your boobs went someway to ameliorating that.

One of the ladies named Denise was another women who couldn't get enough of me, even in the bath! Karen was interesting. She was the first one to say I was 'highly sexed'. She 'entertained' me in quite a passive way in the UK and in Denia, at the new house there. Kim was a true blond with blue eyes and a great butt. She used to send me photos of herself in the bath, just to tease me. How do I know she was a true blond? I'm sure you'll know the answer to that LL.

These are just a selection of the East Anglian girls that I enjoyed in 2006 - there was London, Europe and the States of course. All were 'clean'. One more I should mention was Annie. She lived in Cambridge back then. Tall and possessed of two very nice attributes that loved to be teased and handled. She was also a screamer who reached, shall we say her pinnacle, quite readily.

Which brings me to South Africa, the place you advised me not to visit. Don't go and if you do, be careful, you said. You have led too sheltered a life LL. It was an exciting and truly great experience. After I met Ash ,we did Kenya, too. Were you a little worried about my safety. How 'sweet' after what you did.

You forget the RN. We used to call in at Simonstown Naval Base way back in the sixties. Simonstown is in South Africa

2006 was a busy year for me. In many ways, for, apart from Italy and South Africa and trips over here to the States, I also went to Egypt. I think I either sent some photos to you or posted them online. Glad I did when I did, as it's gotten a little more dangerous since then. I thought about you quite a bit during the year, but the more attractive women I met, the less my mind wandered in your direction. I was still saddened by your betrayal, but my love for you was diminished in proportion to your deceit.

I did visit your neck of the woods that year to see, first of all a lady I will call M. She is a friend of yours. One who was disgusted by your behavior toward me. She has been a source of information ever since. I saw you several times too but you never saw me. In fact you walked right by me on more than one occasion.

The other visits were to two separate ladies who I met during one my earlier visits. They both kept me entertained and warmed my bed separately, during those visits. I had an apartment in your location for a time, and then also bought a house in Keswick - still own it. Small change to me, a major purchase to you.

One other thing that was easy to do, given the requisite information was to be in the Canaries when you and he were and to visit the same restaurants. I enjoyed that little adventure, especially as one evening you were both there in one of your places and didn't have a clue I was. I had a female companion of course. it was fun and she was in on the 'game'. Why didn't you spot me? I was disguised...by the lady who was my companion. You are both pretty heavy drinkers by the way. I have only ever made another visit to the islands and you weren't there then. They are not our scene really - we prefer Nice, St Tropez and Monte...or Italia!

As I said earlier, a very busy year for me, filled with new exploration of places and....female company. In the early part of that year you still had a chance, but not later. I was far too involved with others in all the locations I have mentioned.

Despite what I indicated to you back then, I spent far more time in California than Florida during that year. It was to prove quite beneficial. I built a network in LA mainly through the women I met and who entertained me and also through my old buddy Cas who has interests in that field. My first novel had attracted the attention of a production company. From that followed a serialised version of the tale. That was the beginning of my writing career LL.

During this year I also caught up with old buddies from the USN. Namely BJ, Jim, Rick and Cas of course. I had been in touch with them for many years after leaving the RN, but with the advent of the Internet our communication improved enormously. Rick and I got into shale oil early. He being located in Texas. We bought a number of concessions in the West Permian Basin. First shale boomed then it got close to break-even, but with new technology it's now booming again and the oil price is rising. We are looking at extracting in ND now (North Dakota). There are other areas in the east as well.

Right now we are into another venture - gas in the Marcellus field in Pennsylvania.

I mention this in passing as you will gather that, from this one activity alone, a fortune could be amassed....and it has been.

The year passed through to Fall and Carole went her way in October, then I came over here to New Hampshire for a while. There were still Denise and Karen back in the UK and some close friends in London, Keswick, Bristol etc so I was never short of someone to keep my bed warm...not to mention ladies in Europe who were available.

I gained my US citizenship in this year, whilst also retaining my UK passport. I took a couple of weeks out in New England to relax and draw breath after a pretty hectic ten months and some mighty big changes to my life. During my relaxing time there I encountered the company of at least two ladies. They kept me up to par in their individual ways. You know what they say...use it or lose it. I still haven't lost it.

After that I headed back to the UK and Keswick after calling in on my London apartment for a few days, wining and dining an old 'friend with benefits'.

Obviously, I stayed close to my family during the year despite my travels, but as neither were married back then and had to a large extent recovered from our collective loss, they were less reliant during 2006.

But I digress, back to Keswick. The sole reason for my visit there was to meet with an interior designer who would arrange a complete makeover of the place I own, then and now. I took the time to travel up the M6, largely for my own amusement. It was quite funny in one respect as you emailed and said something along the lines of....are you in America, as your email shows 5 hours behind? Not only was I not here, but I was a lot closer than you might have guessed. That weekend I drove up to Glasgow and picked you both up in one of your usual haunts. I even walked right past you both! I stayed into the evening, as I recall, and had dinner with George (my lawyer in Scotland) and his wife.

I think the next day must have been a Sunday. I wasn't meeting with the interior designer until p.m. on Monday and I had a female friend in Penrith, so we spent the day together...and the night.

My next stop after returning to London via Norfolk LL, was Denmark on the Friday. I caught up with Karen on my return to Norfolk. She always liked to 'escape' to my place and as she said have an intelligent conversation and some good sex.

A busy October that year. After a meeting in Copenhagen that Friday morning I headed north in Denmark and, over the course of the following week, indulged my photography. The intention was scenery, but a few female subjects (three) popped into my metaphorical headlights. I really was a busy fella and managed to get plenty of 'exercise' in what was quite a year for me ... and it wasn't finished. In those years 2004 - 2007, I never turned down an attractive woman, all after you went behind my back, of course.

November came and I headed over here to WLC in Florida, on my own this time. I just relaxed and swam and enjoyed my own company for a week or so LL. In that week I reflected on the previous twelve months and as I always do, I wrote. Skype calls to all my female friends everywhere and emails kept me busy as well.

That twelve months spanned you and I parting, the relationships I had in parallel, and those that followed after October 2005. A lot of travel, which I loved and finishing up on my Italian. Add to that business activities and there was a lot to reflect on. I reckoned that, thus far 2006, had been a very good year for me. I had no idea what future years would hold, but I was to be very pleasantly surprised.

It was during the subsequent weeks into December, that I decided that it was time to realise my profits in all my US and UK residential property. I could see both markets were becoming overheated. I got out at the top of the market and made quite a killing, putting it mildly. I kept my homes of course in New England and Europe but let the Florida properties go. I didn't buy another there until 2009, by which time I was married.

You once asked me what I took with me when I came over here to live. A few personal things, but not much else...except memories of the two women, at that time, that I had loved. One was my late wife the other was you LL. I fell for you before we even met, so you can imagine how I felt when I discovered you had been going behind my back - devastated. That was when I decided to engineer your leaving. It wasn't you that left, I already had, to all intents and purposes, by the time you got around to it

It wasn't that I didn't love you and want you in my life. It was that I couldn't trust you. So by December 2005 I decided you needed a lesson. You were also quite mercenary and lacking in feeling and morality regarding the jewellery - that made me angry. By the way I haven't forgotten those items......

After some fun time with my regular hook up in FM, I returned to the UK for Christmas. Then 2007 was looming, with all that might bring.

2007

After seeing in the New Year in London with a very attractive partner and watching the fireworks along the Thames, we went back to my apartment and snuggled up together and surprisingly slept! The following morning was different - we both got a little exercise...

Thus started the New Year that year LL. You could say it started pretty well and then it just got better and better. By now I was living permanently in London and over here. Norfolk was let until I sold it.

Not sure if you recall that January, probably not, but it was a cold and frosty one, even in London. I had a number of commissions lined up at my studio there along with some 'at home' ones that kept me busy for two weeks or so.

I enjoyed my life greatly 'after you' LL (still am for entirely different reasons). Being 'free' and able to travel at will, along with a variety of women craving my company, was a pretty good set up. During these few years I often thought of what your life held LL - work, family and generally repetitious weekends and vacations. There was no way I wanted to live that boring existence.

Looking back at my diary (the source of these memories along with photographs), I had several commissions in Marbella and nearby, plus a lady waiting upon my attentions in Denia. Off to Spain I went, out of the January weather for about a week. The Marbella commissions were quite interesting. Amazing how many single and not so single rich ladies reside there and on yachts. It was a busy week, photographically, socially and in three cases LL, physically. Then I went up to Denia and my Spanish lady and spent six nights and seven days there before returning to the UK.

Back home (to London that is - I never lived in the Norfolk home again) and catching up with a few friends, taking in a show (I think it was Jersey Boys) with a lady called Christine (Chrissie as she liked to be known) and dinner. She was a close friend a very close friend. I guess you could say we were fuck buddies. Getting what we both wanted/needed as the occasion arose. In my case that was frequently!

I had my work too. I had real estate to manage in several countries, a book to finish and a visit to LA to make. The LA visit that winter was planned for February a good time to get away from the cold. In the meantime I continued with photography, not all of people or women either. I had a nice sideline in scenic stuff made into pictures and sold in a smart gallery in Docklands. It was about that time that I think I was approached for an exhibition of some of my stuff over here in Boston, Mass.

January passed interspersed with emails to you LL and much else. I had long given up on thoughts of you as a partner by then and continued to enjoy a full and satisfying life, without the complication of you, your unfaithfulness and all the baggage you came with. Time was when I would have entertained you and your baggage, as you know. I wasn't going anywhere, but you were and had!

February is probably the worst of months in England, so California looked pretty good to me and as I had to go to LA, it was a no-brainer. For trips to NY I took business class mainly then, but for LA it was first class.

On this particular trip in February, I flew via New York and stopped over at an old friend's apartment, with her of course. Her name is Helen and she is English. I first met her in London. She was in banking, so we had common ground and a common interest in sharing time together physically. Then she was transferred to NY. I had an open invitation to stay, so I did whenever I was in the Big Apple, back then.

After two blissful days together I arrived in LA early Monday morning (according to the diary). I was chauffeured to my hotel and had the rest of that day to myself. The following Tuesday I met with the studio regarding the series being discussed for my first book. Not sure what you you know about these things LL, but on the studio side were the producer, the nominated director, a screenplay writer and their lawyer. On my side, me plus my agent and my lawyer. (The series was made and you may have watched it - in fact it went on for several years covering my third and fourth books - the second was a different thriller with different characters).

Over the next few days there was a fair bit of negotiating especially about rights, but in the end we struck a deal and the series was made and first shown in Fall 2008. I worked on the screenplay for some months with the screenplay writer.

This was a year, as I said LL, that I spent more time in California than most places. But reverting back to this particular trip, I had a number of photographic commissions lined up. One in a small place called Cambria, and others in/near Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard and Malibu. Two others followed as a result, one over in Beverley Hills and the other near Santa Monica.

I won't bore you with what happened in all cases, but you could say I scored in five out of seven and I didn't make the first move. I love women LL, as you will have realised...and they liked me...lots. The difference between you and me is, that when I am in a permanent relationship, or married, I am completely faithful.

There are many rich bored women in California and all very attractive. they looked after themselves. So it was, that in taking their photographs, combined with my English accent etc that they were all to ready to 'hit the sack' with me. That few weeks was, for want of a better phrase, LL, very enjoyable. 2007 was starting out to be a very good year and it was going to get better.

By the time I had finished up in California, I decided to fly back to Boston and stay with my old friend Cas and his wife Liz. It was he that provided the studio contacts, after all. Then after a few days there I went on down to New York. There was another lady wanting my attention and it wasn't Helen, although you have 'met' her in a previous blog.

They say this country is the 'Land of Opportunity', and it certainly was/is in my case...in many respects.

It was the end of February/early March by now and I headed over to London from JFK. Believe it or not I needed a break from the women in my life, so I suspended photography for a month and gave my attention to other business matters and worked on my second book. There was also work to do on the screenplay. All of that and a visit from Jim Ryan and his wife took most of the month. Oh...and I do believe I was writing to you too!

April came and my birthday. I didn't tell you about my Naval career and I didn't tell you my correct age (I'm two years younger), although the birthdate was right...and nor my wealth. Then there's my other identity... (How do you think I hold four different passports).

I was, and am, a lot more careful than you gave me credit for. When I found out about your infidelity in March 2004, I considered my caution had been fully justified.

April was another busy month. I won't bore you with all the business stuff LL. I'm sure wealth creation doesn't interest you....that's cynicism by the way. I celebrated my birthday with family and friends, big dinner out in London at a smart restaurant. The folks wended their way home and I had a few days mid month when I took a break and went over to France and Rouen...or at least nearby....at the invitation of a lady friend.

As you might guess by now LL, it wasn't a purely platonic visit, we both had needs and I was like the battery - ever ready. For the first day of my visit there we enjoyed each other's company, and bodies. The second day her friend turned up. What do you do with two attractive women under forty over a few days? No prizes for the answer LL - in fact I posted a blog of that visit sometime ago.

'Exhausted', but happy and very relaxed I left two days later, taking the 'friend' with me back to the UK. After the crossing at Dover she suggested we stop off near Canterbury, as both she and I spent our teenage years there - hers a lot later than mine. In the end we made a night of it and she didn't have to share this time LL.

Back to London after the recreation of those few days and I had an appointment a week later, a business one, in Denmark - pharmaceuticals, LL. Interestingly, it was this connection that led me eventually to Ash, now my wife. Meetings over several days in Copenhagen followed and when that was complete I decided to take my camera and explore some more of the country in a hire care.

By now it was the end of April, heading into May. Denmark looked great. I loved the rural buildings and their colors. I also loved the fair haired (and not fair haired), blue eyed ladies that became my temporary companions over a three week period. More of them in another blog.....maybe.

Satisfied with my stay, the photographs and business and satiated by some wonderful women, I flew back to London late May 2007. Incidentally, I was still communicating with you off and on then LL. You had more chances than the National Lottery....and failed. I enjoyed the 'game' though and hope you learned a lesson.

June arrived and I headed north to Leeds and Harrogate to see those old friends of mine en route to Cumbria and another lady. I spent a few days there based in Keswick and entertaining a lady from Penrith - she entertained me too! I was looking at property in the county but at that point didn't add to my portfolio. I returned to London and then spent some time on or near the south coast on business. July and August were spent partially in Europe and partially in Oregon (not with the relatives!) I wrote, managed all my business interests and enjoyed the summer in Italy and France. The Oregon visit was only about two weeks.

When September arrived I had enjoyed a summer filled with some attractive ladies in various locations both here, the UK and in Europe - totally unknown to each of them. Most didn't ask and I didn't tell.

In the first week of September, and via my pharmaceutical business interests, I was invited to a seminar at St John's College, part of Cambridge University. I nearly didn't go for various reasons, but in the end I turned up along with quite a few others.

It was during an evening reception that I chanced upon a lone American lady looking a little lost in the grandeur of the place. I caught her eye and she smiled. I wandered over and introduced myself and...the rest is my life from that point onward. The lady's name was Ash and she is my wife of ten years .

There you have it LL. I won't be adding to this, but you can see that I really didn't suffer as a result of your actions. In fact I thrived.

We have been happily married all those years now. We have six grandchildren between us, with another due early in 2018. The youngest is just eighteen months. We also have four children between us, as you know....all married. Ash and I enjoy the very best life you might imagine. She keeps me young too, given our sixteen year age difference.

The Faces

Locations appear beneath each shot.