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From cycling hundreds of miles in the mountains to being unable to walk more than a few steps without pain, I have learnt the hard way how to grow old actively. From the moment I first immersed in cold water following major leg surgery in February 2017 I felt it begin to heal me and unlock my creative and romantic spirit.
I have wanted to be a published author since I had high tea with my Great Aunty Milly in Hove, Sussex and she pinned me down with her beady eyes and told me I would be a writer. Dreams do come true, even if you have to wait and keep trying for many years, like me. The Cold Fix, a narrative non fiction book was published when I was 60, then my debut novel, The Winter of Our Lives, when I was 61. Now, at the age of 62, although I'm not as mobile as I used to be I still have an adventurous spirit. My mantra is that you are never too old to follow your dreams, fall in love, skinny dip in a mountain stream or write another book.
I've swum with Simon Reeves in an episode of his The Lakes on BBC2 in 2022 and chatted on BBC Woman's Hour about my personal challenge of swimming with 60 different people in 60 different places in my 60th year. I've recently downsized and moved in a small town after 30 years of rural isolation. My dream is to buy a tiny piece of land in Scotland or France. It has to have a stupendous view, access to good water and room to park my campervan, Gloria.
I love receiving messages from people who have read my books, or posts on Instagram:
"Gosh, this resonates so deeply"
"You write brilliantly and you're a fantastic person, I'm sure that also shines through in your writing"
"You have a talent and such beauty in your words that deserve their place in the world'
"I love both books for different reasons, I have relate to both, and both have inspired me to keep getting out in nature for my own cold fix"
"Your brilliant writing inspired me to start writing a little myself. I so hope you will continue"
Instagram @bumblebarnes
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