I’m 63 years old, currently single, and split my time mainly between living in the UK and Thailand.

I travel regularly across the globe, having visited every continent except Antarctica (it’s on my Bucket List). When travelling in the UK I am lucky to have dear friends who put me up for a few nights in what have come to be known as “Rosey’s Rooms”.

This is my first book, which was originally written as my life journal for my stepson’s eyes only. It was my friends who encouraged me to publish my story.  Now, after 4 years of writing it, I am pleased they did.

My father was one of 13 children, my mother one of 8 and I was one of 7. I have 8 nieces and nephews but regret that I never had the pleasure of having my own baby. Not for the want of trying though including IVF. Interestingly, 4 out of 7 of us siblings did not have children.

I have only worn make-up twice in my life; both times at my weddings. Unless you count the time I played “Bottom”, in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” It was an all-girls school and I always seemed to get the male parts in our plays probably because I was not petite and I had a loud deep voice

Since childhood, I have loved games.  My proudest achievements are beating an England Team player at Chess in 1976, becoming the English Open Backgammon Champion in 2002 and winning $20,000 playing poker in 2009. Yet, I didn’t learn to ride a bicycle till I was 60 years old.

In 2016, I had the lenses replaced in both my eyes. I hadn’t been able to see out of my left eye properly since I was 11. To me it is a miracle that I can see perfectly now. I thoroughly recommend this operation to anyone contemplating it.

I have had the honour of dining with Princess Anne, at Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace, in support of the charity “The Royal National Children’s Foundation”.

My now-departed golden retrievers, Cindy & Goldie, were my lifeline and comfort on many an occasion. 18 years on, I still miss them. I acquired a rescue dog, Baxter, when I retired in 2012. Baxter is a black Labrador and lives in Durham. My brother Peter walks him up to 13 miles a day. I can manage 5 miles now and again and blame my being too busy to do more.

I cannot bear touching chalk or untreated wood.  This means I cannot chalk up scores at a dart match and I eat ice cream, in theatres, with the wrapper still on the wooden spoon.