I must admit, last summer or whatever we decide to call those four months of shite weather my mind was more in Devon with my friends Bec and Lauren than in Brighton. I have always loved living and experiencing the day-to-day excitement of our city, but I know it's important for me to get out once in a while; it's good for the soul and enables me to have that 'home again' feeling on my return.

I have known Bec and Lauren for many years now and we have supported each other in many of those surprise adventures that life sometimes bowls at you, the spiky cricket balls that will come at you at head height, the huge medicine balls that pin you down so you can't breathe, the occasional football that gets you right in the nuts.

Bec and Lauren had a dream where they would manage a smallholding and become self-sufficient. Then came the deed. They sold their house in Brighton, paid off the mortgage, bought a camper van and with their dog Star, went in search of their dream. I know they will be the first to say it wasn't easy, not having a base, leaving what most people would say is stability behind but they held on and believed in their vision. I eventually got a message from Bec and Lauren that they had found by chance an opportunity to manage a farm in Devon.

The more information I got the better it became. The farm nestled on one side of a huge valley overlooking forest and river and their task was to introduce livestock and start growing organic vegetables, a skill they had developed on their funky old allotment in Worthing.

The farm had been dormant for some time and had been bought to be developed organically and free range. It would be Bec and Laurens' responsibility, to project manage and maintain. Dream come true, eh? Thought energy turned into matter.

It was about April time during one of my more inappropriate moods I text them to ask if they fancied a threesome. I get like this sometimes and my humour exceeds the boundaries of good taste. I've been warned about it many times but there is little I can do, it's like an obscene comedy Tourets that sets in and all boundaries go out the window. It's difficult to define comedy but the text was founded on the views women have of men who are reputed to try it on in any circumstance.

Sending this to two women in a same sex relationship was as non-pc as I could get at the time. Bec and Lauren are well versed with my incongruous humour but replied forthwith, 'Not so sure of a threesome but can we have some of your sperm? '...........ok........touche. Better go and sit down Dugs'

I don't get lost for words too often but as I sat there overlooking the sea from my window I was blank. No thought but plenty of feelings. These are two friends I have always loved and had such respect for but before I replied I had to gather myself as we were now treading on what I consider hallowed ground. To help bring another soul into this consciousness is not to be taken lightly and for me, needed careful consideration.

I knew it was the right thing to do from my heart. They are two beautiful people and we share the same philosophies of existence. I knew they would be loving parents who have such an unconditional love for each other. My answer was yes and from that moment it felt as though there was a child on it's way.

I got a very emotional call from them both later on that evening. I knew it was something they had been thinking about seriously for some time. They thanked me and in some equal way I found that I was thanking them. To be a part of this creation filled me with heartfelt joy! We left it there that day, knowing we were all in the process of something amazing happening. The practicalities would follow and the rest of the evening was spent in awesome contentment.

We had agreed in principle,