It's been quite a successful year - but then my main aim for 2012 was to not end up homeless, so I set the bar pretty low. I've done a bit better than that - managing to find enough chargeable work for 85% of my time. My target was always to spend around 1 day a week doing stuff that didn't necessarily pay (business development, R+D, messing about on the internet), so by that measure I'm actually working a bit too much.
A couple of highlights. I was invited to give a week long training course in Manila for the Philippine Government who are setting up a national flood mapping and warning system. The Philippines have a big flood risk problem, with flood events killing hundreds or thousands of people happening every 2 years or so - and the people affected are, of course, typically the poorest. I'm hoping I can get out there again this year to help. And of course to see a bit more of the country too.
A group led by Paul Bates at Bristol University, with Tim Fewtrell of huge insurance business Willis, and our very own Horritt Consulting, won the Lloyd's Science of Risk Prize. I'm spending the money on a folding bike and to support more work in the Philippines.
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| Volcano, Talisay, Philippines |
Stuff that could go better? I'm probably still reliant on too few clients - although the list is growing slowly, and I've got plans to pester more people in 2013 to see if I can help. I'd also like to get out into the real world a bit more - 95% of my time is spent looking at a computer screen rather than real water.
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| Severn Bore, seen from Minsterworth |
