After Richard and Margaret left home Barbara and Charles went on many more tours across Europe and the United States. They were both in their element on these trips – delighting in new cultures and spectacular scenery.

In 1982 Charles and Barbara moved to the Nonsuch Estate in Ewell. This was initially seen as a staging post while Charles commuted to London, but having got to know the place and the people, they never left.

Barbara described those early years in Ewell as her own retirement, throwing herself into local activities. After attending antiques and collectibles classes, she spent many happy hours trawling local auction houses for ‘treasures’. To her, the design or story behind the piece was far more important than its resale value.

She also volunteered at the Oxfam Shop on Ewell High Street – a role she performed diligently for over 20 years; preferring the hard work in the storeroom to the public-facing front of house.