I’m a newspaper journalist and editor turned award-winning freelance writer with a taste for adventure.

Known as the ‘river cruise queen’, I am now a cruise specialist and have clocked up thousands of nautical miles in both familiar and far-flung destinations and visited more than 80 countries on land and sea. From paddling down the Mississippi in a dugout wooden canoe to sailing on some of the world’s most luxurious ships, my waterborne travels have taken me to diverse destinations including the remote Chindwin River in Myanmar, isolated Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, around Cape Horn and on a thrilling transatlantic crossing on a tall ship.

With a background in news and features, I also write about a variety of subjects including food and drink, horse riding, business and the hospitality industry.

I live next to the sea and when I’m not on the water I can be found indulging my passions for the ‘3Rs’ - riding, running and reading.