1. My husband and I got married in Spain, without having been to each other countries (Colombia and the UK)! We have since visited each country several times…
2. I went on an 11 day nature cruise to Antarctica (which means I have been “around the Horn”).
3. I have been to the island of St Kilda, the westernmost point of the UK. It is not always possible to land because of the strong swell.
4. I have flown in a sea plane, taking off and landing on the beach in the town of Tobermory, Isle of Mull.
5. I am fluent in Spanish and learnt the language by living and travelling in Spanish-speaking countries.
6. I worked for six months as a volunteer dolphin researcher in Hong Kong on the Chinese white dolphin and finless porpoise.
7. I saw a baby dolphin being born at Ocean Park, Hong Kong. This was one of the highlights of my life, despite not being a fan of keeping cetaceans in captivity.
8. I love boats and the sea, but suffer from seasickness and am secretly in awe of the power of the sea.
9. I have recently discovered that I probably “suffer” from delayed sleep phase syndrome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_sleep_phase_syndrome which means I hate getting up early but can happily work until the wee hours. My ideal “night” would be 3am to 11am. Not good when you have a child and have to live a “normal” life…
10. I am afraid of wasps.
11. I have walked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, floated in the Dead Sea, and swum in the Antarctic Ocean.
12. I spent several months living on a beach in a nature reserve in the Atacama desert in Chile (Pan de Azucar).
14. I travelled around the islands of Western Scotland giving talks on whales and dolphins to school children and the locals.
15. I love doing crosswords and jigsaw puzzles, the more pieces the better.
16. I have had the same sewing machine since I was 13 and made my own wedding dress.
17. I love salsa dancing and Latin music.
18. I was a vegetarian from the age of 18 to 30 but have to admit I love meat now…
19. I taught grass-skiing, kayaking and archery at an activity centre when I was 18.
20. I am infamous for being late to arrive but am always the last to leave the party!
21. There is no 13 because I am superstitious! I know it is nonsense but can’t help myself.