About me

I was born in 1946, and lived in England as a child, except for two years in South Africa (1951-1953). I went to the Lady Eleanor Holles School, Hampton (1954-1964), then to Newnham College, Cambridge (1964-7) where I read history.

After leaving university I discovered that my father was the Norwegian resistance fighter and writer Eiliv Odde Hauge; I have since met my Norwegian relations and made many trips to Norway.

After a few years as a film editor, I married Tom Griffith in 1969, taught history for two years (Blackheath High School) and had four daughters, Tilly, Daisy, Susie and Ellie. They aided and abetted the writing of my second book Dream Babies, which was published in 1983.  Tom and I were divorced in 1991, but he is the best of fathers.

I now live on the western edge of Oxford in a rambling house overflowing with books with an even more rambling garden full of tall trees and adventurous challenges for my five grandchildren. Latest additions to the ménage are Edith, Maisie, Belinda and Gladys, four characterful hens. I’m considering a bee-hive.

The nearby River Thames is a passport to adventure. I have an 11ft sailing dinghy called Gipsy (a British Moth) both at West Oxfordshire Sailing Club and on the Thames. I also have a camping punt called Dulcibella.