Hazel was born in North London into a working class family with three boisterous brothers. She thrived at school and so took the unusual step for a girl of her background of going to university. She graduated with a degree in mathematics and spent her working life developing and supporting computer operating systems. She married Ian in 1971 and they had two daughters together. Approaching 70, she decided it would be fun to put together a collection of her poetry with pictures, as a present for her six grandchildren. It was a team effort so thanks to Ian, Emma and Catherine; and here it is - -