Sixth grade was a big time in my childhood of hoops and friendship and coming up with funny things.

None of us had any idea of how successful Downton was going to be. I thought I was signing up for another period drama that had a slightly modern feel. It had a freedom about it because it was coming out of the head of Julian Fellowes. Anything could happen and generally did.

Only the freedom of mind can prevent the state from becoming totalitarian and from issuing totalitarian demands.

The Paris peace talks kept a roof over my head and food on the table and clothes on my back because if something was said going in or coming out I had the rent for the month.

America is becoming more and more dependent upon imports from foreign manufacturers than we are exports from our country in all fields: in appliances in clothing even food. This year America may become for the first time in its history a net food importer.

When the farmer can sell directly to the consumer it is a more active process. There's more contact. The consumer can know who am I buying this from? What's their name? Do they have a face? Is the food they are selling coming out of Mexico with pesticides?

Food is no longer sacred to us: in becoming too efficient we've changed its nature.

I was a bit worried coming back to the Premiership from America but I have been pleased with my form and the interest I have received has been good for my ego. I have no worries about my fitness and I am really looking forward to the season starting now.

I've published one book before and now I'm writing a book of essays and stories about life in Tokyo. And I have one book coming out in May in Germany about fitness.

And you know the baby boomers are getting older and those off the rack clothes are just not fitting right any longer and so tailor-made suits are coming back into fashion.