![My countryside CHIILDHOOD](https://cdn.magzter.com/1389340925/1643893273/articles/6214ec567dde7/My-countryside-CHIILDHOOD.jpg)
Louisa Adjoa Parker, 49, is a writer of EnglishGhanaian heritage who lives in Somerset with her husband Peter Fry.
There's a photo of me giggling in the surf, smiling in the sunshine, yet bracing myself as the cold water laps my legs. I remember the moment so well. I was seven years old and visiting my maternal grandparents, who had recently moved to Devon. I was happy there, yet never felt I belonged in rural Britain.
My dad is from Ghana, my mum is from Reading, Berkshire. They met when a friend of my mum's set up a dating agency and Mum agreed to go on a few dates. My dad proposed on the fourth one and, after my siblings and I were born, we moved from Yorkshire to East Anglia. Their marriage didn't last and they broke up when I was 12. We then moved to Devon and rarely saw Dad.
As a child, I never felt completely equal to my white friends. White children didn't understand why I looked different and asked why my skin was darker than theirs. After we moved to Devon, I never met any other black or mixed heritage kids, and I longed for a friend who looked like me because I wanted to feel normal.
This story is from the March 2022 edition of Woman & Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2022 edition of Woman & Home.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![How healthy IS YOUR GUT?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/JciNDIr561725443792484/HOW-HEALTHY-IS-YOUR-GUT.jpg)
How healthy IS YOUR GUT?
This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
!['DON'T CALL ME A HERO'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/w8FTQUymH1725443412740/DONT-CALL-ME-A-HERO.jpg)
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced
![CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/sHxc6DCyl1725443193554/CANCER-WAS-JUST-A-JOB-UNTIL-IT-HAPPENED-TO-ME.jpg)
CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me
Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
![Freewheeling in TUSCANY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/8zrehmFuM1725442652222/FREEWHEELING-IN-TUSCANY.jpg)
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track
![Nostalgic BAKES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/49HjfTeFP1725442360316/NOSTALGIC-BAKES.jpg)
Nostalgic BAKES
Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats
![A NEW NORMAL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/Oh6CsQZpm1725442072266/A-NEW-NORMAL.jpg)
A NEW NORMAL
The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
![I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/idlUtNKFq1725441891357/I-LOOK-FORWARD-TO-BEING-A-VERY-ELDERLY-ECCENTRIC-WOMAN.jpg)
I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'
Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
![Lighter DINNERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/RNEVkJXxx1725441385285/LIGHTER-DINNERS.jpg)
Lighter DINNERS
Big on flavour and easy on the calories
![Behind CLOSED DOORS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/fzOc5Dl8W1725441105744/BEHIND-CLOSED-DOORS.jpg)
Behind CLOSED DOORS
What really goes on at your local surgery, and how are decisions made? GP and practice partner Dr Helen Wall reveals all
![15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/cyCcZpmSy1725440532388/15-WAYS-TO-IMPROVE-YOUR-MEMORY.jpg)
15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY
Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks