I have no time for the endless nostalgia: 'Oh gosh I used to . . . ' Life is too short; I don't have any time for sitting and saying I miss things. What's the point? Go and do something else.'

I was timid and frightened as a child. Yours truly did not shin up mountains or do any other kind of adventurous stuff.

There was no equal pay law when I started working. I was no different to any other woman in any other job at the time.

I sailed through my childhood with a complete lack of any drama.

Hair is also a problem. I remember once, when I was reporting from Beirut at the height of the civil war, someone wrote in to the BBC complaining about my appearance.

Having had loving people who brought me up, and then I find another set of people. That really is a double blessing.

Up until about 12 years ago we never, ever, wore flak jacket or helmets but now the nastiness has got worse.