 Described as "a splendid rider, witty, ambitious, daring, lively, loquacious and gregarious", she seemed to possess the physical requirements and tough attitude required of her surroundings, writing shortly after her arrival at Varna, in Bulgaria, en route to the Crimea that she "was awoke by the reveillée at half-past two; rose, packed our bedding and tent, got a stale egg and a mouthful of brandy and was in my saddle by half-past five.