I like German and Austrian classical music and German and Italian opera.

I also like literature, poetry, art, architecture, European history, films from German Expressionistic to Film Noir to Art House. I also like travel.

My hobbies are Fencing (the foil, sabre and épée kind) and horse riding. I have a History Degree (Ancient and Modern) from Balliol College, Oxford University. Balliol College at Oxford was founded in 1263. It was named for John I de Balliol. Oxford University itself dates from at least 1096. It's the second oldest university in the world, the first being the University of Bologna which dates from 1088. All of the 40 oldest universities in the world are European universities. I met my other half at the Balliol College Boat Club, which dates back to 1823, but oddly was only officially founded in 1840.