Mum was tough when she needed to be. I remember walking down an alley way in Nairobi with Mum, Peter and John when a man snatched her handbag.

Mum held on tight and screamed and kicked but the man didn't let go.

People stuck their heads out of windows but made no effort to help but mum hung on and eventually the would be bag thief ran away.

I was always impressed by mum's bravery.