About Me:
I am an active and vibrant retiree in my 70s, with a zest for life and a passion for connecting with people. My life has been varied and fulfilling, shaped by unique experiences and meaningful relationships. I have two adult children and three wonderful grandchildren in their twenties, which allows me plenty of time to pursue my interests.
I currently reside in the picturesque village of Exminster near Exeter, Devon. However, my roots trace back to Manchester, where I spent my formative years. I also lived in Surrey during the 1970s before eventually settling in Exeter—a historic, Roman city I grew to love. I possess a mix of Northern humor and warmth that some say makes me quite a unique combination!
In earlier years, I enjoyed horse riding and netball, while my love for the countryside and long-distance walking remains to this day. I also appreciate the vibrancy of city life, having led Exeter’s renowned “Red Coat Tours” for both locals and tourists. Alongside this, I volunteered for eight years at a local Foodbank while successfully running my own business as a self-employed chiropodist. I qualified at 42 after completing my training in London, marking over two decades of fulfilling professional work.
I am a proud member of the University of the Third Age (U3A), a national organization for those aged 55 and above, which encourages people to “Live, Laugh, and Learn.” More recently, I’ve taken up pickleball, a sport that keeps me active and fit. I also take pride in my fashion sense and am often complimented on my eye for color and style.
My professional journey has been equally diverse. Before having children, I worked in administrative roles and later joined Marks & Spencer during the 1980s when their Exeter store first opened—an exciting time with 200 applicants for just 60 roles!
In 2016, my life took an unexpected turn when I explored my ancestry through DNA testing. I had always believed my heritage was Irish, but I discovered a different story entirely. My biological father, Lt. Col. Carroll Herndon Payne, hailed from Texas. Born during the Depression, he left home at 14 and went on to have an extraordinary career in the U.S. Air Force before founding First Command, a successful financial business still in operation today. This discovery introduced me to a second family in the United States. Sadly, my birth mother, from Manchester, passed away shortly before we could meet. Additionally, my family tree includes Lord and Lady John Bankes, and thanks to a cousin in Texas—a dedicated genealogist—I can trace my lineage back to 1666 when my ancestors emigrated from Lincolnshire.
Upon retiring at 65, I set out to fulfill a “bucket list” of daring adventures, including skydiving, sea diving, looping the loop in a glider, piloting and landing a small plane, hot air ballooning, and hang gliding. The only challenge left to conquer is a parachute jump—a goal I still look forward to achieving.
Interested In:
– Modelling