Where do you come from?
Everywhere and anywhere. I think I am truly Universal! Being a child when World War II started, and with my Father in the Army, I was swept along on what seemed a wave of excitement. Moving meant meeting, learning how others live, excitement, exploring and challenge. I never lost the anticipation, which was just as well as I married into the RN, and kept on moving until now. My feet get 'itchy' every so often, so I take myself off on 'challenge Pim' trips. African safaris give me the ultimate delight. Wildlife, scenery, people, space, excitement, and challenge. But it's always unspeakably wonderful to come home. I live in a hamlet tucked away in the hills, with rivers, woods and walks where the miles of emptiness and sheer beauty are humbling. How lucky am I!

Do you have a family?
Yes, I have four children, who have all plumbed the depths since their father died, but with courage and dignity are all now reaching for the stars in their own way, and with considerable success. And I am SO proud of them! Then there are the dogs... unconditional love, endless fun, and I mean endless!

What did you want to be?
A dancer, a dancer, a dancer!

What did you do after school?
When I was about six I contracted polio, so I only had two years at school. After that I was sent to do the 'Brides' course at Domestic Science College... in other words learning to be a dutiful wife, boiling eggs, folding dusters. spitting on irons etc! Then I was despatched to secretarial school and yes, it was awful — not that I went very often — and no, I have never been a secretary! But I did learn a very valuable lesson, that it was liberating to NOT conform! After all this I went to stay with my Aunt in Italy. She lived in an old pink Pallazzo on the coast, where life was exciting! I learnt to shoot clay pigeons, rabbits in the dark, swim naked in limpid night seas, and gamble in the casino perched on the rocks. We dined under the stars, attended formal cocktail parties, visited the the monks who plied us with their brew of liqueur, drank tea with terrifying dowagers in black, and dined with a Prince! In the heat of full summer the whole family moved up into the mountains, to a villa set, it seemed to me, in heaven. But October arrived and it was time to go home... So there I was, a cross between a debutant and a refugee.

What jobs have you had?
How long have you got? Matron in a boys school. Nanny, hotel housekeeper (so folding dusters nearly came in useful!) Cook. I worked in a jewellers, Foyles bookshop. a craft shop, and as stable girl. Then a 'phone answerer' for a mobile doctor firm in London. Later on I did B&B to pay for skiing, and being a Naval wife meant committees and entertaining. I showed my beautiful bearded collie, including agility and obedience demonstrations, and then, eventually opened my own boutique, and lastly my dream shop, Dancers Designs, selling everything dancified, designing and making costumes for performers of every sort, and size, as far away as Italy, Dubai and the USA. Utter delight! I lived on adrenalin, and still have the videos of my costumes on Come Dancing!

What do you do now?
Well, being retired is to be busy, very busy!
I have this beautiful house, and garden, which were a huge challenge as they were a complete blank canvas, or mudpatch, and it has taken five years to reach this particular heaven. So now I have more time to write, and write, and write. I have a steady stream of visitors who come for a ‘recharge’, and in so doing, recharge me. So with the house, the garden, the dogs, visitors, family, and writing, and with my trips away, I am totally fulfilled and blissfully content. Lucky me!

How did you discover writing?
It's always been part of me. Dormant at times, but always there.

What do you love about where you live?
After living in the city for years, always with a stifled longing for the country, to be where I am is perfection. I love the space, the clear air, the way the light lies on the curve of a hill, and the wildlife and flowers give me a quality of life that I have not had before. I am surrounded by wonderful historic houses, gardens, castles, and spoilt for eating places and wonderful little shops. It's a veritable shoppers' paradise: a quick coffee can sometimes take all day and be very costly! I would never wish to live anywhere else, I have it all.

Challenges?
Resetting the timer on the boiler, and will I ever get the car into the garage!

What does spirituality mean to you?
This is a difficult one! In a way, it means everything, and nothing. I believe there is some amazing Benign Energy that is there whenever we need it, I am always safe, helped when I’ve asked. I love to sit on a hill, or by a river, or the sea to ‘talk’. I have learnt to listen to an inner voice, which has never failed me. Is this spirituality?

What are your aspirations for the future?
To live on and on and on! to be here for the family, and to help others to find the peace, inspiration and trust, that I have been gifted. Oh and of course to be published widely!

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Knowing that others enjoy it.

Who has been the most inspiration in your life?
Although I once met eyes with Nelson Mandela... it still has to be my Mother! Always there, always glow-happy, which in turn made me happy, she taught me enthusiasm, curiosity, pigheadedness, joy, trust, loyalty, creativity, optimism, the power of nature, pure fun, and imbued me with the Italian ‘bubble’. I was never, ever afraid during my childhood, even when we were machine gunned, I knew she would save us. And she did. Three times.
It is only now that I am learning how truly was she my inspiration.

What was the epiphanic moment in your life?
Meetng my Husband.

What does a typical day involve?
First of all, anticipation! A whole day to do as I please. Usual stuff, dusting, music, weeding, writing, shopping, walking dogs.
writing, meeting friends, writing, reading, friends, swimming, exploring, writing, and through the day runs a shining thread of... joy!

The world 10 years on.
It would be good to return to a ‘natural’ way of life.
No media, celebrities or tv, where children PLAY, and parents TALK!

Final words?
Keep faith with yourself, keep the dream, and keep going!