'My life has changed for the better'

Ali Gillow, 60, lives with her partner Dan, 67, in Corwen, Denbighshire.

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Like all my family and friends, I'd only ever lived in London, and never envisaged moving away from the city I called home. Driven by ambition, I'd been successful in my careers in banking recruitment and property management. On the face of it, I had it all. A flat in fashionable Belsize Park, gym membership and an exciting social life, dining in the finest restaurants. However, work had been my life and it had left no time for a relationship or children. My days were a whirlwind of early starts and pressurised workdays. By 6pm on a Friday, I was exhausted.

OUTWARD BOUND

Nevertheless, I'd jump in the car and drive an hour to the south coast to go sailing for the weekend. While my colleagues were spending their bonuses on designer handbags, I would spend mine on sailing or saving to go on trekking holidays.