The year is 1963 and the scene is the History Department at Durham University. I am sitting near the back of the classroom between my good friends Pete Hallam and Walt Herriot. Our lecturer this morning is Hilary Seton Offler, world authority on the life and works of the medieval philosopher William of Oldham Ockham. Professor Offler doesn't often teach us but he has a natural authority and there is studious silence as he starts to instruct us first-year undergraduates on the coming of the Danes to Anglo-Saxon Britain.
"And now", intones Professor Offler, "we come to the Great Dane Invasion".
Pete, knowing my propensity to hysterics, turns slowly towards me and solemnly mimes the barking of a dog. The rest of the lecture is sheer murder for me as I strive to hide my laughter from the Professor. But whenever I show signs of regaining control, Pete emits a low growl and I am off again! It's silly, but I don't think I've ever laughed so much in my life.
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