I grew up in Leicester in the English Midlands, where I developed interests in the beautiful countryside, and in art and theatre, working in a gallery and art shop on Saturdays and in school holidays, and I also worked there for a year before university. I was also active in local amateur dramatics. At 19 I went to University College London where I studied English Literature, went to the theatre a lot ( including a production of No Man's Land with Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier) and continued with amateur dramatics. I met Martin, my partner for 30 years, in my first week at college.

After graduating, after a few temporary jobs, I started working in property development, mainly for housing associations and a few local authorities. I found it really interesting though often stressful and through a 32 year career with approximately 11 organisations, I managed teams of staff as well as project teams of professionals, in the development of many new housing schemes, sheltered housing and refurbishment of estates mainly in central London. Some of the most interesting were the historic central London Peabody estates and the now sadly famous Grenfell Tower.

When I was 38 I returned to college, studying for an MSc in Land Management at Reading University and became a chartered surveyor. Most of my fellow students were 22 and lived on campus, and whereas I was getting up at 6 to drive to Reading before the local rush hour started, they were tumbling out of bed at 10 to 9!

In my mid 50s I decided to re-train as a life coach and started a small life coaching business. In 2012 I also completed a Certificate in Garden Design at Capel Manor College, having been interested in gardening from my 20s and having had an allotment from the age of 28. I also started a distance learning certificate in Designing with Plants from KLC and then a distance learning Diploma in Garden Design, as by then I had decided to move away from London and to move to France. After 40 years of living in London, mainly living in Ealing, I had got tired of living there and although I knew I would miss my many friends, I felt I needed a new challenge.

I moved here in January 2014, and immediately fell in love with the amazing location - never having lived in the countryside before, I now had a pretty (if cold!) Perigourdine house, a large garden, and beautiful views over the chateau de Gageac and the Dordogne valley. Moving here on my own was challenging, and I live in a very French village which under normal circumstances has bi-monthly village meals which are well attended. I realised that I had to join things to meet people and was introduced to DLCI by my friend Sandy Scovell. I have made lovely friends through this organisation and have been to many memorable events. I also joined the Gardening Club at ACFAA in Eymet, and regular Pilates classes and more recently have been going to fund raising meals with the local animal charity SWAT.

I have never regretted moving to France, despite a few difficult times, and love the climate, the culture and the different priorities in life, and the chance to experience a different way of life.​