Alex came over for lunch and, as we walked over for our traditional Chinese nosh, I noticed I was having no trouble keeping up with his brisk stride; no breathing problems.

It's the weeks in sunny Tunisia, swimming 5 hours a day in the heated pools.

I'm convinced that swimming has given me 20 years more life. Both my father and grand father died at 42. I'm 27 years ahead of them both already.

I just slowly breast stroke, swimming and thinking, working out scripts, plots, characters, ideas... 2 hours in the morning, an hour at lunch, two hours in the afternoons. Magic.

Can't do it in the UK; horrid cold, clammy weather. Just can't get in the mood. I need bright sunshine, blue skies. South of France, Tunisia, Italy, Germany, Spain, Morocco...

But I come back with a spring in my step that lasts for months.

of course swimming is the secret... swim almost every day of my life.

you become mean, lean and gorgeous and would survive if you were on the Titanic.

Happy Xmas JK - I must tell you, the way you've coped with what they threw at you 13 years ago is incredible. You're making movies and music, swimming and making new friends (and helping them get into the Top 5), ignoring trolls and haters, getting novels and diaries written and published, millions of You Tube and other internet views, large sums of money from your copyrights, swanning around the French Riviera and Italy and Switzerland in a new Rolls Royce. I don't think your life could be better or happier. Good luck to you.

Thank you Toby; yes, I wouldn't change a thing. My life has been wonderful. And still is.

Toby wrote:
Happy Xmas JK - I must tell you, the way you've coped with what they threw at you 13 years ago is incredible. You're making movies and music, swimming and making new friends (and helping them get into the Top 5), ignoring trolls and haters, getting novels and diaries written and published, millions of You Tube and other internet views, large sums of money from your copyrights, swanning around the French Riviera and Italy and Switzerland in a new Rolls Royce. I don't think your life could be better or happier. Good luck to you.

agreed Toby..in fact JK is one of the few I can think of who has not rolled over and slunk away as demanded : not by society but by ghastly tabloid hacks.

guilt or innocent..everyone is entitled to resume their life once a penalty has been paid..the law is based on that but politicians/hacks demand endless punishment.

The Terror Of Tabloid Boulevard, lil old lady JK wrote, " I need bright sunshine, blue skies. South of France, Tunisia, Italy, Germany, Spain, Morocco..."

Germany?!

Burt Lancaster must of been jealous Hedda.