About me

People often ask me 'where do you come from?'  A difficult question to answer as my family moved frequently and I attended many, many schools!  I was born in Welwyn Garden City.  My family lived there until I was two years old.  I've lived in - Cheshire, Lancashire, Switzerland, Oxford, Surrey, Devon, Wales....Ooh the list is long...I'm really not sure where my roots are, or home is, until perhaps now...

After leaving school I travelled and worked for some time.  I ended up settling in Wales and marrying hubby number 1.  I worked as a PA in a Drama College for  several years and then in Retail Management for several more.  In my early 30s I got divorced and went back to education.  I gained a degree in Psychology, followed by a Masters in HR.  After graduating I worked in a few non-fulfilling jobs. I ended up, in frustration (after a particularly bad day at the office), strapping myself to a friendly man in an orange jumpsuit and throwing myself out of a plane at 10,000 feet.  I felt the thrill of life again!  After much deliberation, and many bowls of rice pudding, hubby-to-be  and I left our life in the UK and headed for New Zealand and Australia for 4 years - places we had kept meaning to visit but never got around to...  I enrolled on an aromatherpay course, learnt about essential oils, massage, and myself.  I felt much happier.  In 2009 we decided it was time to return to the UK. But where? 

We wanted to live in the countryside, amongst bunnies, curlews and ponies.  In addition, this dream location had to have a vibant cultural scene and plenty to do for my sports enthusiast hubby.  It was a tall order.  But after a little bit of research, and a few slices of cake, it seemed Shetland ticked all the boxes. We ended up relocating to this beautiful island, April 2009, and we have lived here happily ever after.

My hubby is an offshore worker and I started a blog, called Shetland My Love, in order that he may keep up-to date with my goings-on and to inform those who asked, 'what on earth are you doing moving to Shetland?'  I wanted to share, with the incredulous, the reasons, via photos and prose, why Shetland is so special.  However, Shetland My Love has evolved over the last 14 months.  With diverse content and growing readership - SML has begun to inform not only visitors to Shetland, but also those thinking of relocating here.  It's become much more than was the original intention.

As well as 2 blogs on the go (Great British Life and Shetland My Love), an illustrated children's book (working very slowly on this project). I also carry out research part-time for a local company (I'm the frightening survey girl you try to avoid!).  I freelance for Visit Shetland, draw a monthly 'cartoon' for Shetland Life Magazine, sell my hand drawn cards (the Raincoats) in Oily Muggie (Shetland craft shop) and Presentation Gifts (Oxford). 

After years of working for other people; I'm now endeavouring to create a flexible and fun work life.  A business in which I can combine my passion - Shetland, and the ability to earn a living.  I'm getting there!  It's hard work and a huge learning curve, but the journey has been, and continues to be EXCITING!

Perhaps I should also share the following about me (see illustrations to understand?!)

• I have a hat-head (so my grandma Connie tells me)
• I have chubby toes
• I love, no I truly LOVE pickled onions, rice pudding and cake (especially Shetland home bakes)
• I often get stuck in my clothes. 
• I'm always looking for inspiration in the strangest places
• I have a demanding cat called Mo
• I like fun jewellery
• I'm handbagaudient.  It's a gift!
• I'm allergic to lots of things and spend much of my time sneezing and wheezing. 
• I'm the creator of the Raincoats (more about them in another post)
• Want to know more?!  Visit www.shetlandmylove.blogspot.com