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1 The TV show that makes me laugh is… The Royle Family. It was such a nuanced comedy and it cleverly observed the dynamics and bonds within a family and the range of different personalities. There was a great heart to the show too, especially in the episode when Denise got married. Sadly the creator of the programme, Caroline Aherne, passed away a few years ago – so unfortunately it can't ever really be the same, even if the co-writer tries to bring it back.
2 The song that makes me dance is… Happy by Pharrell Williams. It makes me dance and sing along at the top of my voice. The song is so full of joy.
3 The book that I could not bear to part with is… The House at Riverton by Kate Morton. A friend of mine recommended it to me years ago. It is best described as “Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie”. I devoured it and my heart was racing reading the final few chapters as the story was neatly tied together at the end with twists and turns.
4 The film I could watch time and again is… Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. It is the modern-day Cinderella story. I love the clothes, music and romance of the film. I also like it as it was the movie that not surprisingly made Julia Roberts a Hollywood star.
5 The saying that lifts me up is… “One day at a time”. I’ve always loved this saying, but even more so in this year of COVID-19. I keep reminding myself of the phrase and I share it with others if they are feeling overwhelmed by the restrictions we are learning to live with.
6 The meal that brings me comfort is… I miss going out to dinner and restaurants these days. I love Chinese food – so chicken with black bean sauce and peppers will be the first thing I order when restaurant doors reopen. To celebrate, I’ll order a glass of red wine too!
7 The treat I can’t resist is… Chocolate! However I try to be careful with it. A bitesize Crunchie is my guilty pleasure. It’s a great pick me up with a cuppa.
8 The person who inspires me is… My mom, Ann. She has always had a good attitude to life and knows what is important in life and most importantly what isn’t. She has a grace that I admire. Also, she is always right about things.
9 The place I go to get away from it all is… Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote. I have my favourite apartment to stay there now and I know the best restaurants and walks that I enjoy. I love the weather there too. Pre-COVID-19, if I had any extended time off work, I’d holiday there for a week with my sister or friends.
10 The thing I’m most looking forward to, post-pandemic is… I am really looking forward to going on a holiday abroad – and I am a nervous flyer, so I’m surprising myself saying this! I miss the excitement of booking a trip, the hustle and bustle of Dublin airport and arriving somewhere with sunny weather and exploring their shops and seeing the sights. Lisbon is next on my wishlist.
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