January Editor's Letter

Above: Julian Fellowes and I at Cliveden

I’m in a reflective mood at the moment. I always am at this time of year. I look back on what I hope I have achieved and look forward to what I hope I will achieve. For me personally, two highlights of 2008 were running my first sponsored 5K in the Race for Life with my daughter and swinging through the trees at Go Ape in Bracknell. (Oh, and I also lost a stone in weight!) Other highlights included my meetings with some very well-known people: the formidable journalist Julian Pettifer, the bubbly Melinda Messenger and the witty writer and actor Julian Fellowes, pictured with me here.

Another very memorable encounter was with Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson. I met him at his home near Henley just before Christmas and you can read about his exciting news in our interview section.

This year there are so many things I hope to do. Inspired by the remarkable people in our Real Lives feature,I’m planning a balloon trip in the summer. There’s also a new series of walks in the Chilterns that aims to reveal some of the area’s fascinating secret past. I’d love to redecorate our main reception room, too, but oddly my husband isn’t so keen on that!

Whatever goals you set yourself this year, whether it’s making the most of our beautiful countryside, getting more involved with a local charity, or simply making more time to be with family and friends, we wish you a very happy and healthy 2009.