I recall one conversation with Colin around 1987 when he gave me sound advice as a PhD student on developing an academic career "Get into hard covers" was what he said. I liked that phrase and it's stayed with me. He struck me as a warm and generous man, and not at all patronising. But my favourite Colin story is one he wouldn't know about. A light-fingered friend down from Glasgow took the Master's gown one winter's night, and left the College with it bundled up inside his outsize Michelin Man jacket. This was possibly the same evening as the sound advice. I only found this out on the way home. I took the gown into safe custody in my room at Little Trinity, and early the next morning I took it back to the porter's lodge. I had a hard job explaining to the porter - Pete, I think - how I'd come by it, but I'm sure Colin would have been glad to get it back.