My publishers, Boldwood Books, asked me to write a piece for their blog about the inspiration behind my new book, The Old Gals’ Bucket List, so I thought I’d share it on my blog too. ☺️

For this, my second  ‘golden years’ book I wanted to write about older women reinventing their lives, building strong friendships, achieving their dreams and living their life. As a golden yearer myself I’m a firm believer in living life to the full, dancing whenever you can and – like Patti – celebrating life’s wins with a cup of coffee, or glass of fizz and a piece of cake.

Over here in Spain the Spanish can turn any event into a celebration and are happy to set up a table anywhere for a coffee and a chat. The habit soon rubs off.  We love any excuse for a get together with friends over a bottle of cava, sitting out on the terrace and chatting until the sun goes down and the mosquitos come out.

My life has changed a lot in the past fifteen years and I hope keeps on changing. I’m not ready to settle down with my feet up just yet. I had my first tattoo at the age of fifty-seven and remarried at fifty-eight to my lovely Dave. After years of trying – and I daren’t add up how much money – and sixteen failed driving tests I finally passed when I was fifty-nine. The same year I obtained my Open University BA degree.

I moved to Spain at the age of sixty-three, when Dave was sixty-five. We live in the Spanish countryside, surrounded by various fruit trees, our water is pumped from a well so when the electricity goes off so does our water.

We’ve had some challenging times and some wonderful experiences. We’re still battling with learning the language but muddle along okay until it comes to medical or legal situations. Thank goodness for Google translate.

I had two more tattoos to mark my seventieth year, and a second ear piercing.

My friends show no sign of slowing down either, two of them are in their eighties and went on the zip-wire last summer and are currently ticking off their bucket list of countries they want to visit.

We all go out dancing regularly, supporting many of the tribute acts over here, and often have a themed night when it’s someone’s birthday, recent ones have been  a masked ball, a white night, Caribbean night, St Trinian’s party and 1920’s party.

To echo Sandra – ‘Embrace change, love life’- and Patti – ‘Grab life by the horns’. I intend to do that for many years to come!