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My mother, Muriel Howe, was a prolific novelist who led a colourful life, much of which she documented in diaries dating from the 1930s, much like Nella Last of ‘Housewife 49’ fame .
Before and after my birth, she travelled extensively, to Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and also to Tito’s Yugoslavia, drawing on her impressions in some of her later books.
My mother was always a dog lover: her diary contains hair clippings from all the dogs she ever owned, and she was also the proud owner of one of the first Afghan hounds to be bred in England. The Afghan was a complete novelty in the Lake District where my parents were then living, and became quite a celebrity.
Settling near Ambleside, the Smithies family took an active part in rural life, building their own bungalow at Skelwith Bridge on the way to the beautiful Langdale Valley, and contributing to the development of the tourist scene. Much later, in her 70s, Mother initiated the founding of the Ambleside Art Society in her home town. She died peacefully in 2010, aged 98.
In photo: Muriel Howe (seated) with niece Liz on the left and daughter Roberta on the right
