Q&A

I love The Guardian Magazine's Q&A page because I'm nosey. I had a go at answering the questions myself and realised it wasn't all that easy. When I got friends and family to join in I discovered things about people I never knew - or would guess.

Colour in the bleak mid-Winter

T'was the morning before Christmas and the east facing windows became pictures in themselves. 

Q&A Ellie B

When were you happiest?
When I finished my first year of teaching - I was exhausted but so very happy

What is your greatest fear?
I am scared of spiders but I truly fear being seriously injured and alone (how pleasant)

What is your earliest memory?
Either swimming in a lake full of tadpoles in Austria or running down a hill into a cow pat

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Greed

Q&A Jimmy (aged 6)

When were you happiest? 
When my brother Declan was born
What is your greatest fear? 
The Dark - actually the really really dark.
What is your earliest memory? 
Going to Berlin

Boxing Day at Walberswick and Southwold

Frosty and bright, my eyes aren't used to this!

Q&A Terri

When were you happiest?         
When I spent time with my Grandad
What is your greatest fear?     
Loneliness
What is your earliest memory?   
Visiting my dad on board a naval ship

Q&A Beverley

When were you happiest?

In July when our family was all together

What is your greatest fear?

Outliving my children

What is your earliest memory?

Locking my grandmother in the pantry, aged 3

Q&A Tom

When were you happiest?
My wedding day

What is your greatest fear?
Dying young

What is your earliest memory?
Climbing a mango tree

Q&A Kara

When were you happiest?
When my boys were born

What is your greatest fear?
Heights

What is your earliest memory?
Running away from the lawn mower monster when Dad worked at my pre-school

Q&A Matt

When were you happiest?
Right now

What is your greatest fear?
Death

What is your earliest memory?
I think it is sitting on pop’s knee in Lime Street

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Lack of empathy

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Stupidity

Aside from property, what's the most expensive thing you've ever bought?
A car

What is your most treasured possession?
Golf clubs, but I am not sentimental about anything

What would your superpower be?
Flight

What makes you unhappy?
Chaos

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
Dinosaurs

Who would play you in the film of your life?
Peter Kay

What's your most unappealing habit?
Chewing with mouth open and scratching my throat

What is your favourite smell?
Cut grass and a fresh struck match

What is your favourite word?
Cockroll and fuck; I also like obsequious

What would be your fancy dress costume of choice?
A gladiator

Is it better to give or to receive?
Give

What do you owe your parents?
Just about Everything

What is the love of your life?
Kara

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
Jesus (yes - I just want to know I am right!) Paul Keating, Steve Waugh & Hitler

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Fuck, and "another birdie"

What is the worst job you've done?
Installing belt cleaners at the sewage works!

If you could go back in time, where would you go?
French revolution

When did you last cry and why?
Oct 14 when Declan arrived

How do you relax?
I don't really, but golf comes closest

What is the closest you've ever come to death?
Dead relatives

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Raising children - a work in progress!

What song would you like played at your funeral?
Just Breathe by Pearl Jam

How would you like to be remembered?
As a top bloke, a mate, fun loving

Q&A Matt

When were you happiest?
Right now

What is your greatest fear?
Death

What is your earliest memory?
I think it is sitting on pop’s knee in Lime Street

Q&A Sonia

When were you happiest?
As the future is unwritten, I create fabulous ones in my mind and this keeps me happy all the time.  

What is your greatest fear?
Frogs

What is your earliest memory?
Hiding under cupboards and tables where I could create my own world.

Q&A Martin

When were you happiest?

1189 in Acre

What is your greatest fear?

That there is no afterlife

What is your earliest memory?

Being in my pram staring at the ceiling, it was flakey and cracked.