Throughout his life John took great pleasure in watching the trees and the wildlife they support. Below is an excerpt from a story he wrote about gardening. 

"Here in Richmond Sharon and I spend much time at the weekends tending annuals and perennials; the garden generates a shared sense of satisfaction. On a balmy summer’s day, after an afternoon’s gardening, it is such a pleasure to get out the deck chairs, sit together with gin and tonics just absorbing the foliage of the lime trees, the horse chestnuts, the shrubs, the roses, and later in the evening, as the sun sets, watching pipistrelles flitting about feeding. We are at peace with the world."