Simon, as the most honest colleague and, latterly, friend I made in our world of orthopaedics, I shall miss your delight in innovation, in lateral thinking to devise ways of improving the lives of our several joint patients, and of course the great many others you happily described in our chats. To share your imagination, your concerns, and in your triumphs was a great privilege which I have treasured: your clarity and honesty were invaluable at such times. I shall always refer to your logic when challenging cases require thought, and shall miss the friendship we built over the years, based as it was on what I believed to be a mutual appreciation and respect. However, like all truly great people, the wisdom we learnt from you will continue in the work we do for the next generation of surgeons and patients: you are missed, but still present. Travel safely, Simon