Hello Everyone, I am Annette and I am currently living the good life in the Foret de La Double and I also have the honour of being the Secretary of this amazing club.

I left home before I finished my A levels to work in Pinewood Studios which left me with a lifelong passion for the moving image. But my desire to be a nurse was too strong, so I left to go to Westminster School of Nursing in 1982, and never looked back. I have a background in midwifery and neonatal medicine, but my love of children saw me finally settle into a career in paediatric oncology working in this specialty in both Westminster and Bristol Children’s Hospitals. I finished my healthcare career as a Patient Safety Manager working in risk management, quality improvement and governance at Bristol Children’s Hospital. 

I am now enjoying a slightly less ‘risky’ life in the Dordogne running a summer holiday business, gardening, growing food and managing our little part of the woods with my husband Peter.

I enjoy cycling, swimming, gardening, reading, knitting and going to live music events, the theatre and cinema, food, wine, travelling, yoga and Pilates, celebrations such as Christmas, and most of all, sharing all this with friends and family.

Our family love to come to the Dordogne and think of this as their second home, so we often have a full house which is fabulous.

I found the DLCI through a Pilates friend and have never looked back as it has brought friendship and fun and introduced me to more and more this beautiful region has to offer. I enjoy the diversity of the group and hearing what you ladies have done before settling in the region. I have learned so much from friendships developed in the group including playing Mah Jong and backgammon this summer which has been real highlight.

I am looking forward to next year with you all in the DLCI and am looking forward to getting to know more of you whilst we share the delicious food and wine offered by this region and also sharing the wonderful events on the programme.