My first interaction with Donald Douglas was when he visited The Bridge Office recently to have a piece of his writing amended. It was a brief encounter that was followed by a short email conversation and gauging his obvious friendliness, I decided to ask him if he would allow me to do A Chat With him. He suggested that perhaps it best if I just read his book, I’ve Been So Lucky, to which I politely declined. This was not due to a lack of interest on my behalf, but as I explained to him, it was because I prefer not to have any preconceived ideas about someone prior to interviewing. A method in my madness perhaps, which thankfully worked, and I was thrilled that he understood and agreed to the chat.

I must mention his chivalrous response –