MY SANCTUARY IS MY HOME

I never imagined I would be living here – that was never the plan. In fact, until I met Sam, I thought my life would just be about work. But life has a habit of surprising you and mine took a mighty shift. We were living in Soho, in the middle of London. Then Emily was born and it seemed to make sense to move to the country. We rented a cottage in Norfolk and loved it so much that we moved out of town within a couple of years – and we’ve never looked back. We’re very happy in Devon.

I really like the people and the quiet and the animals and fresh air.

I love my family life, and realise I am lucky. But there are peaks and troughs. We have had tough times, like when my daughter was being bullied at school, which was absolutely terrible. And there have been other times when things haven’t been going well – maybe there wasn’t the right work around for me or Sam was struggling. So there are good times and hard. But the good thing about the troughs is that they help us to be grateful for each other and the good times.

As a family, we are very hot on communication. We really talk and we really ask questions. We try to spend enough time to see what is really

She’s always been absolutely bonkers about dancing and singing and musicals.

Her passion has increased over the last few years and now she’s absolutely determined that is what she wants to do. She knows it’s hard work and she is happy to go to open auditions and get a job in a chorus. These days, musical theatre is probably no less reliable than anything else in the world if you are good and prepared to put the hours in. I think she will be alright! I love her, but I also watch her with a professional eye and can honestly say she really is good. It’s not a mumsy, gushy thing. I’m hugely proud – but it’s not an irrational pride!

Meanwhile, Sam is really busy with his skincare range – Sam Farmer – which has just gone on sale in Superdrug.

He retrained in cosmetic science and formulated the range using products specifically for teenagers, but without all the inappropriate sexual marketing that often goes with such products. Sam and I are both directors of the company. It’s his range, but I do most of the copywriting, quite a lot of the branding of the products, and the website. I do enjoy it, as I love working with Sam and we bounce well off each other.

When I am not working, I’m a very keen gardener. That is the thing I do to properly unwind and I would literally never come out of my greenhouse if I didn’t have to. I also like walking and love the water – I like rowing and swimming in the sea, and we have a kayak. I also have a lot of friends at home in Devon and it’s lovely to spend time with them not doing much, just chatting.

LOOKING AFTER MYSELF

I’m still trying to keep my weight down, like I always have. But I’m winning more than losing these days. I was diagnosed as coeliac and changed my diet a few years back. Since then, my energy levels have increased and I no longer feel so poorly. Having the energy to do stuff made me realise how tired I had been.

There is a lot that I really like about being in my fifties. I find I am more at peace. I feel happier with who I am and what I am and I am not striving so much. I feel more content. The thing I don’t like, though, is that my joints are starting to let me down. My knees hurt and I find that upsetting. Other than that, I enjoy getting older enormously.

Going blonde was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I was in the hairdressers and said, ‘I am really bored of my hair – do you think I can get away with going short and blonde?’ And the hairdresser said, ‘Well, let’s have a go.’ So I just went for it. And I have really enjoyed being blonde – I’ve loved it! I was a bit worried about how the kids would react, but they have only been complimentary about it and so has everyone else.

I am definitely a party thrower! I have a party every birthday and I love them. When it comes to the future, I never plan ahead very much. God willing,

I’ll still be here when I turn 60 and will have a massive party in the garden and invite lots of friends round for a barbecue. It will be fabulous!