People ask me how I manage without a man in the same tone they might ask someone how they're doing with just one lung, but it's not like that at all.

I have that precious commodity - freedom. I can live my life a day at a time, and I am open to whatever the next day brings. I know I sound as if I have been off with some guru in India, but I haven't. I've come to realise the value of being able to decide for oneself.

My mum - and my granny and I - would close the curtains, turn on the TV and snuggle up and watch 'Come Dancing.' It was actually my granny who was the biggest fan; she loved the show, and she passed on her passion for it to me. I loved the dancing but also the frocks and the glamour.

I can honestly say I love getting older. Then again, I never put my glasses on before looking in the mirror.

With age comes a greater wisdom, an ease and comfort with oneself.

I ski every three years or so. I don't have the ingrained confidence that others do, but I'll happily toddle about a green or blue run.

I have had big relationships. Three times in my life I have felt a special connection, but people talk about looking for love as if it's just like walking into a Starbucks and buying a coffee when you feel like it. It's rare, that special connection.