I am British-born of German parents and consider myself a European, although I spent some of my formative years in Australia.

I speak German and French, and have a love of French cinema -  favorites include Moliere and La Vie en Rose.

Musically, I like anything (almost) with a guitar - espcially  the American country singer Lucinda Williams, and a few 1970s/80s stalwarts like The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and Blondie. Latest find is country singer Tim McGraw.

I like to support my local arts centre, mostly for indie film showings like the quirky 'Jane Austen Book Club', or slice-of-life Lebanese film Caramel.

I enjoy horse-riding, and I ride regularly at a stables near Windsor. I occasionally help out at horse events and write for dressage judges. As a rider who came to the sport later in life, I've had to focus a great deal on technique, and am a believer in the so-called 'natural horsemanship' methods. I've also had to work hard on my personal fitness, mainly because I suffer from a common, but often mis-diagnosed 'back' problem known as piriformis syndrome, and I have to walk, swim or gym every day.  I am a member of the local Berkshire walking group, Stride. 

I am a member of Maidenhead Speakers, which is a Toastmasters International club.  I've also joined  Marlow Orators which is an advanced speakers club.  I have achieved the Advanced Communicator Bronze award, which means I have completed a total of  20 prepared speeches with a formal written and oral evaluation, and I am progressing through the Toastmasters Competent Leadership programme.  One speech that got particularly positive feedback was 'how to buy designer clothes on ebay'! 

I am a member of my local branch of  Friends of the Earth in  Maidenhead. I joined partly to carry on the work of my mother, Irmela, who was an active member of both organisations for many years, but in the process of understanding the environmental movement, I've become a total fan of organic food and skin-care products.