I was a fishmonger for 54 years in Reading town centre and owned my own business. My spare time was taken up with my narrow boat, my rescued animals, and my travels around the world.

In my narrowboat I cruised around England, from the Birmingham Canal Navigation to the tidal Thames. I was lucky enough to live on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Reading for 10 years.

I cared for many rescued animals, from birds, cats, ducks, geese, ponies, goats and dogs.

I have travelled around the world - I was one of the first tourists in postwar Vietnam, I visited the Pacific state of Vanuatu, and many countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.

I have been doing talks for over 12 years. I can talk for hours, but I usually limit myself to 45 minutes or an hour – this is a subject we can discuss! I love to speak to audiences live because there is much more interaction, but I have "zoomed" talks all over the UK. I'm based in the Southwest (postcode TA), but travel frequently to the Thames Valley.