What started off as a normal Monday soon turned into a day of destiny for me. It was time for me to take my place among the great heroes of history. With the outfit selected, and with the weight of the nation on my (slim) shoulders, and with a thimble of wine, I prepared myself for battle.

Four years in Lisbon! Gosh, gosh, gosh! I've done a lot, and drank a lot, and read a lot, and I am still heavy at the hip. What a hoot!

During a last-minute dash back to England to be with Dad as he went into hospital, I realised that nothing changes and everything changes.

I gently walked away from a lovely, beautiful stranger who was seemingly head-over-his-big-heels for me. Instinct told me that I needed more. Instinct also whispered to me that it would have been unkind to him - and to me - if I were to stay.

A letter to my younger self. An update about how life is getting on. I think everything is marvellous. There is peace in our time.

Life is just a wonderful wander from phase to phase. I have a feeling that this marvellous phase might be coming to its natural end. But I have no idea where the next phase will be, and that's just wonderful!

I am not sure if getting older makes rejection easier, or if rejection makes rejection easier. But either way, it is getting easier. The wobble is reducing. Nothing can topple me.

An old lady I barely knew has died, and I feel so very sad. She was so entirely lovely to me. I must be entirely lovely to others. We're all hidden figures until someone says 'hello'.