Una Stubbs: Sons, Dover Street Market and birds - Five things I can't live without
GETTY Una Stubbs, 80, lives in London and has three sons and six grandchildren
Here's five things she can't live without… 1. MY SONS I am very close to my three sons, even though they are all grown up now and have families of their own. When they were boys we used to have wonderful family holidays in Cyprus and I still have the most marvellous memories from their childhood. The bond you have with your children doesn't change as they grow older and we are all still very close. Now only one of my sons lives nearby and as we all have busy lives we don't live in each other's pockets. But they know I'm always there for them if they need me.
2. DOVER STREET MARKET Dover Street Market is the most magical place in the heart of London and I absolutely love whiling away a few hours there. It sells just about everything from clothes to jewellery to food. It is a real style heaven. There is a fantastic bakery where you can enjoy really good coffee and cake while you watch the world go by. The best time to visit is definitely during London Fashion Week when the visiting tourists wear the most colourful and unique creations imaginable.
GETTY Una says Dover Street market is the most magical place in the heart of London
3. BIRDS I have always found birds absolutely fascinating. Everything about them is dramatic, from their ornate courting rituals to their loud spats. It always makes me laugh that coots will line their nests with just about anything from crisp wrappers to empty cigarette packets. Swallows are also my favourites and I love how they cleverly know when to fly to Africa. I would never want to have a pet bird as I absolutely hate the idea of keeping a living creature in a cage. Yet for many years I had the next best thing. Every morning a friendly robin would fly by for titbits and if I was late with his breakfast he would tap the window with his beak. He was such a bold little thing and he always made me laugh.
GETTY - STOCK Una have always found birds fascinating
4. CUDDLES I do love a cuddle, especially with a beloved grandchild, one of my sons or a close friend. My granddaughter Silver is only four and she is very affectionate. Fortunately she loves cuddling as much as I do. I have six grandchildren and we always have such enormous fun together. I spend time just chatting with the older ones but with the little ones I paint and I adore hide and seek.
GETTY Una loves cuddling, especially with a grandchild, one of her sons or a close friend