I had a quick ear and could pick up languages.

I sort of was good at writing essays. I was never very good at mathematics, and I was never very good at algebra. I loved science, but I wasn't sure of it.

If there was a distraction I'd get up and jump out the window. I was quite out of hand. In schools like that I don't think they expect that girls are going to behave in such an outrageous fashion.

Very quickly, without really looking back or trying, I was just suddenly lifted into another sphere.

You never came home for lunch: you just stayed doing, playing, having fun, surfing, running round.

Both my parents were doctors, and my mother had her surgery in the house. There were six children.

I was often very, incredibly naughty, and if I didn't come home at tea time I used to be sent to bed without any dinner. But people used to bring me things: I was better fed in bed.