I was born in Whitton, Twickenham, Middx. I lived there for 8 years.

I went to school in Twickenham, to St Catherine’s Convent. There my memory is of loving the Grotto (maybe with a little fear) which goes underneath the main road – Pope’s Grotto – Alexander Pope used to live in the house up the road. My memory is of glistening and glittery damp rocks which were the walls, as we walked to chapel every Friday with hat and gloves intact. I think now, they were probably crystals. The religion, but also spirituality was always there. A peaceful, reverential, atmosphere in the chapel, must have influenced my life. I loved the river in Twickenham.

I moved house to Sunbury-on-Thames when I was 8 and to a church school when I was 11. I could cycle to school now; laden with my case on the back and cookery ingredients in my basket; carefully transported back later. Sometimes the violin was perched on top of that. Eldest of 4 daughters; I cycled rain or shine. I remember the icy mornings where the grass looked like sugar cakes. I loved the river in Sunbury.

Well the bicycle turned to a motorbike; awareness of independence and influenced by a boyfriend; and the bassoon then got transported on the back – worth far more than the initial moped. Thankfully I did my motorbike test then (thanks JJ).

I did a secretarial course; I had been typing since I was 4 on my dad’s manual typewriter. I did a Foundation Music Course; which was like being part of a family; I learned a lot here musically; the teachers were good and I respected them. I went to the Royal Academy of Music for 3 years; an interesting time here; and I met my future husband.

I worked in London doing Temporary Secretarial and word-processing work in my holidays and when I left Music College; I enjoyed the variety.

Doug and I moved to Croydon; we both taught in the evenings. I worked in a local estate agents for a couple of years. We moved to Oxted. We have 2 children – now both young, adults; we are proud of them both. They seem to have achieved the balance, of working hard and enjoying themselves and experiencing life.

I went on a Reiki 1 healing course, then to learning natural healing with the National Federation of Spiritual Healers. This all led, through a friend I met at Reiki, to going to a local Tai Chi Chuan class. There I met up with a group of friends; now spread from top to bottom of Great Britain; we all learned and shared a lot together. They were also like a family; the start of my Tai chi family. We shared walks, laughter and no doubt sadness.

Well again through Lionel; he had found another Reiki teacher; we went and did Reiki II; it was about 1999 – and we loved going to the chalet in Pound Hill, Crawley; and for reiki sharing time together. Will Gadd also does Shiatsu/Thai Massage and used to do Landscape Gardening. I found Will’s massage used to help prevent me getting migraines (which I had had since about aged 10); and used to help with any tension that had built up. I subsequently went on and did my Master’s Reiki with Will; and met other friends through him and the reiki, at that time.

The Tai Chi teacher moved; so having been up to ‘Yang 200’; Svend suggested seeing John Ding. I went up to Baden Powell House initially. Then with Ross Cousens coaching on understanding and change of style; I gradually worked through the Advanced course and Instructors course with John. I made more friends. My first day in South Woodford; I walked in and John said ‘did I want a cup of tea’ – jasmine – I knew I’d come home. I am nearer to the Limehouse based classes now, at St Katherine’s Docks. Tai Chi is the journey within the journey.

After 22 years together, Doug and I let each other go with love; to pursue our own lives; we had grown together as far as we were going to. We now have a good friendship; we are still learning.

I now live in Edenbridge in Jade Cottage; I had a lot of Jade Trees, and Jade is a very beneficial crystal. My parents’ also had moved to Edenbridge a few years before. I am enjoying my little bungalow here. I am always glad to see visitors and friends; You might need to bring milk – it’s usually Jasmine Tea. Lionel and I usually buy 8-10 boxes of 100 t-bags from Wing Yip (we share them); the best Jasmine Tea. (the bag is useful for travelling and sharing with friends).

Will moved from his home in Pound Hill; his journey took him elsewhere; he travelled, taking a Shamanic path with Alberto Villoldo. It was a time of healing for both of us when we started to share more time together. Our journey carries on together.

August 2009

We have enjoyed Super Spirit camp; Tribal Earth camp; doing drumming; belly dancing (yes he tried it at Tribal Earth!). Will now owns a bluebell woodland; he is creating what is growing into a wonderful, space for ‘growing; friendship; love; learning; healing’.

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