I hate everything about airports from getting there to taking off.

My father was in the civil service. I can remember standing in a bus shelter in the pouring rain, and that we were allowed candy floss at the end of the holiday if we had behaved.

I'm told leather drives men up the wall. I like wearing it because it because it feels nice.

Apart from anything else, I find boots are too hot except in wintry weather. At home I usually wear a sweater, shirt and slacks.

I've travelled around the UK a lot recently and have discovered that I really like trains. If you're in the quiet carriage, nobody can get hold of you and you can relax.

South Africa is the most beautiful country I have been to. Canada is also hugely underrated.

I'm very fond of Norfolk. My husband came from there and the kids love it. Devon is beautiful, too.

Most of the Bond girls have been bimbos. I have never been a bimbo.

I'm the slowest reader in the world, because I perform it all in my head.

No More Avengers! There's nothing new to get out of it - I want to go forward, not backward.

Poison!" Grover yelped. "Don't let those things touch you or...""Or we'll die?" I guessed."Well...after you shrivel slowly to dust, yes.""Let's avoid the swords, " I decided.

I dislike humans in general, but I couldn't not do anything.

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.

Prayer is the Christian’s greatest weapon.

For better or ill, I was very heavily influenced by men I knew who always dressed formally.

The good thing about reinventing the wheel is that you can get a round one.

I have always had such sincere love for truth, that I have often begun by telling stories for the purpose of getting truth to enter the heads of those who could not appreciate its charms.

There is something that falls short of perfection in every book, without exception, something influenced by the age, even something ridiculous; just like everyone, without exception, has weaknesses.

I really tend to write in retrospect.

Sweet and fitting it is to die for the fatherland.