Soon I knew the craft of experimental physics was beyond me - it was the sublime quality of patience - patience in accumulating data, patience with recalcitrant equipment - which I sadly lacked.

As a young boy, I read 'Cheaper by the Dozen' and immediately became neurotic about my use of time. It taxed me severely, but only for the next 50 years. But I think it also allowed me to discipline myself to sit in the chair and be a writer, where one of the most needed qualities is patience.

Difficult years lie ahead, patience is required.

If you have confidence you have patience. Confidence, that is everything.

So it's been a slow process and it's taken some patience. That's why patients are called patients I think - patience is required.