Reading, writing and drawing have been my passions ever since I could handle a crayon or a Ladybird book. As a child, every weekend would mean a trip to the small, but well-stocked library in Ealing, West London where I grew up, where I would leave carrying a tower of books by my favourite authors: Jill Murphy, Astrid Lindgren, Roald Dahl and Eva Ibotsen, followed in later years by C.S.Lewis, E.Nesbit, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Oscar Wilde, Beverley Nichols and Susan Cooper. Then on to Dickens, Waugh, Conan Doyle, F.Scott Fitzgerald, Thackeray, Wolfe, Isherwood and Maupin.  

Choosing my favourite writer is impossible, but if asked to nominate my favourite novel, I would choose

There is No Armour by Howard Spring.

My picture books, The Enchanted Cove and its sequel The Last Cavalier, were both written in my spare time from my 'proper' job! I have also written a biography of the fine British actor of the 40s and 50s, Robert Newton  -- Long John Silver, himself. 

My current work in progress began due to the findings of research into my Yorkshire ancestors, which inspired me to write a novel about their life and times in the mid-victorian period. My happy places are anywhere where I can see the  the sea, a cafe with tea or coffee on the go, at home with my cat Nell listening to my vinyl records and the parks and historic areas of London.