APRIL 1961: I visit Edinburgh as part of a school exchange. During the introductions at the school I say: "It's nice in England." The headmaster looks at me sternly, taps me on the shoulder and says most emphatically: "Never forget: You're in Scotland, not England."

DECEMBER 1961: I pass my first legal state exam in Freiburg, coming first out of 102 candidates and think I'm very clever.