Gloria Whiston. Growing up in Palmerston North in the 1950s. Benefits of being youngest child. Father Christmas. Enjoyment of sport. Flatting in Wellington and working for an accountant at 17, social life. Expected to leave home. Back to Palmerston North, then married a farmer at 23. Travelled to England, felt like home. Toured Europe. Back to Gisborne. Hard to settle. Moved onto farm, isolated. Russian Jack. Women’s Institute. Children. Toastmistresses. Wine a novelty.