I was born in 1946, and lived in England as a child, except for two years in South Africa (1951-1953). I went to the Lady Eleanor Holles School, Hampton (1954-1964), then to Newnham College, Cambridge (1964-7) where I read history.

After leaving university I discovered that my father was the Norwegian resistance fighter and writer Eiliv Odde Hauge; I have since met my Norwegian relations and make regular trips to Norway.

After a few years as a film editor, I married Tom Griffith in 1969, taught history for two years (Blackheath High School) and brought up our four daughters, Tilly, Daisy, Susie and Ellie, in Marlborough, where Tom was Head of Classics from 1973 to 1983. They aided and abetted the writing of my second book Dream Babies, which was published in 1983, just after we moved to Chalfont Road, conveniently close to Oxford High School, where all the girls were educated.  Tom and I were divorced in 1991, but he is the best of fathers.

Between January 2006 and November 2024, I lived on the western edge of Oxford in a rambling house overflowing with books with a jungly garden full of tall trees and adventurous challenges for my ten grandchildren. Sadly I had to give up keeping hens since the foxes discovered that there was such a thing as a free lunch. But I did have two bee-hives, thanks to the bee-keeping skills of Richard Mayon-White who managed them while I puffed smoke to soothe them. I was only stung yet, and we sold quantities of delicious honey for charity.

Just before Christmas 2024, I finished moving into a sturdy little stone house, built in 1964 in the heart of the village of Cumnor, two miles southwest of Oxford, and walking distance from Richard’s ancient cottage. All four of its upstairs rooms are now insulated with books; one is a study, two have beds and one is a sewing room . Somehow all the things I love have managed to fit in somewhere, and I have never been so comfortable and cosy. The tiny back and front gardens will be welcoming outdoor rooms when the weather permits.

Three of my four daughters live on or off Cumnor Hill, just minutes away from me, and so do eight of my ten grandchildren. My fourth daughter Daisy lives in Penzance with her two sons, and we all enjoy holidays with her.

The nearby River Thames is a passport to adventure. I no longer compete in British Moth nationals and open meetings instead I potter about in British Moth 404 Pheno, which I restored with expert help last winter, which I sail from Medley Sailing Club on the Thames at Port Meadow. As Richard has an elegant electric launch, I have sold Dulcibella, my camping punt, but will be allowed to borrow her. By simplifying life, efforts can be concentrated. No time to waste, now…