If you had to be stuck in a lift with someone, who would it be and why?

Michael Palin – it would diminish my fear as he could regale me with stories of his wonderful trips around the world in his most amusing way.

What is your biggest fear?

...being stuck in a lift.

Do you have any superstitions?

Now where is that second magpie?

If you could have only one song on your iPod, what would it be and why?

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, it’s a great mantra and you don’t have to be able to sing to singalong to it.

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought, not including property?

I bought my niece a wedding dress.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Stay in education for as long as you can, it’s the key to all life,” – given to me by my Gramp, and I have been in education in some form or other every year upon leaving school.

What’s your indulgence?

As I cook from scratch almost every day, having a meal that I have not cooked is sheer bliss.

What item could you not live without?

As I am out most of the time, my handbag, it’s got everything in it.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why?

My age, there are so many wonderful and interesting things to do in life, I need more time.

Where are you next going on holiday?

I have not got one booked but it would be the pyramids in Cairo.
How did they build them?