Every question answered by Anne

Q1. Have you enjoyed your life so far?

My biggest regret was when at fourteen years of age when I left school and had to go to work, was not listening to my father when he wanted me to go to college and learn shorthand and typing. So I went to a department store (after first trying an ice-cream parlour which lasted exactly 2 days). It was a big store with very long counters which you had to keep clean and walk up and down from 9am - 5pm serving customers. I HATED IT!!! The only good thing was that I lost a wonderful amount of weight. I left after 3 years and trained to become a GPO telephonist. I was very happy then and stayed until I married and then another 5 years.

Since then life has had its usual ups and downs, but I've always remembered to listen to advice from others (especially when they are older and wiser than you).

It sometimes saves a lot of heartbreak!!

Q2. Do you like yourself?

Not all the time. I can think of things I have said or done in the spur of the moment I regret and would change if I could. I like to think other people don't dislike me, but no one is perfect, so as long as I try never to do or say the things I now regret, I can’t be too bad

Q3. Tell me a story.

Our first experience of a cruise was on a passenger’s cargo ship. if we enjoyed it we’d try the more expensive passenger lines.

A very nice welcome when we boarded. Nice cabin, a good amount of passengers and a friendly crew. A fair-sized swimming pool and we had excellent food. we soon made friends and stopped at different ports to unload and take on cargo and go on land to explore. The captain was a very friendly Spaniard with perfect English. we were on our return journey when we hit a storm, a lot of passengers didn’t like the ship’s movement as the storm worsened, but my husband and I decided to use the games room and learned how to play scrabble to pass the time. We’d had a few games after the storm worsened when the captain looked in. “what are you playing?” he asked. “well scrabble” my husband replied pointing at the box. “no you are not” he replied “you are playing it all wrong” and proceeded to show us the correct way. The storm worsened and we were rolling around quite a bit. The captain ignored it then suddenly a huge wave hit us with a crash and the light above us smashed. He stood up very quickly and said calmly “excuse me ill just check on my officers”. He went through the door and we heard him charging up the stairs!! I didn’t put us off cruising, but we chose much bigger liners after that!!

Q4. What's something you've always wanted to do?

I've never flown in my own life. I'm afraid of aeroplanes. Probably stems from when I was about and the war began. My sister and I were woken from our sleep and we then spent a night in an air raid shelter. Enemy or our planes were above our heads. The enemy searching for barry docks. These unhappy memories have always stayed with me. But I've loved all my holidays abroad, travelling by ship and car.

Q5. What gives/gave you meaning in life?

I have never needed to have or look for a meaning in life. From my childhood to old age I have found something to enjoy or look forward to. everyone gets their down days. You wouldn't be normal if you didn't. So phone a friend (Or have a drink or two!) with them or your loved ones, and then you won't have the need to look for a meaning in life. Life is what you make it!!!

Q6. What piece of music makes you feel the most?

I now like classical music mostly, but many years ago when I lived in the country, my husband, five-year-old niece and I used to walk through the lanes, picking dandelion heads to make dandelion wine. As we worked at it we would sing (at least my niece and I would, my husband was tone-deaf) at the top of our voices. “Blanket on the ground” by Billie Jo Spears. My niece shouting “keep in, keep in” every time the occasional car went by.

Wonderful memories of my favourite days.

Q7. If the ghost of Christmas past, present or future could visit you this Xmas, which would it be?

Christmas past

Firstly when I was a child everything was magical and done for me. Secondly when I was married and in control of everything so I could make it just as lovely

Q8. Did this past year go as expected for you? What do you anticipate this year?

I no longer plan anything, as its utterly pointless at my age.

To book a holiday is pointless, as you'll wake up on the morning your going (if you're lucky) and fall out of bed and break your leg! But as I have wonderful memories of past holidays, it's of no matter.

Anticipate for next year? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

Q9. What’s the worst pain you have ever felt?

My greatest pain came whilst having great fun chasing my small nephew on slippery grassy banks. He had great fun. I slipped, fell and either badly broke or badly sprained my leg. He had great fun and I had great pain for quite a few months after that, and from then on I left chasing games to the young ones

Q10. What Scares You?

Flying.

I’ve never been up there and never will. Probably stems from the second world war when I was a small child. My sister, mother and I would be in our air raid shelter in the garden and could hear enemy planes pass over seeking the docks.

Q11.At what point in your life were you the happiest you have ever been?


I straight away thought of meeting and marrying my husband and all the wonderful happy holiday memories we had. But along with that came saving for extra bills, insurance and buying a house. In fact, it had it's up and downs.

Then I thought of my childhood days. Not a worry in the world. Each day was an adventure and wonderful and loving parents. Running home from school to play with friends(court street had many children and we rarely saw a car in those days). Holidays were rare, but who cares we were busy playing marbles in the street or mob in the field at the end of the street.

Happiest time? Pass. v