Don’t worry, the title of this blog doesn’t mean I am turning into the Neanderthal of the North of England! (Although a certain girl I know in London would say we’re all weird and primitive up here!) Sometimes, however, the challenges of being who I really am do make me want to just scream or even roar.

As a man I used to usually sleep just by myself, even whilst I was married (but that’s a different story!) Now as I prepare for my transition my bed ‘floweth over!’ My bed and bedroom are packed with cuddly animals of all breeds and descriptions, most of who have names and different characters. I could probably write a book based on the imaginary adventures my cuddly friends have had, (only imaginary before you get too girlie like me and think that lumps of Kapok and material have feelings and can move by themselves!!!) (waddya mean they can’t!!?)

Amongst my best furry friends are 'Mr. Lion', (The Kapocked Crusader who wants to fly), Mishka (The Volga - sorry - Vulgar Boat Bear who swears rather a lot and Manny (The Red Devil) all of whom have their own lives and stories! Weird? Moi? Well, yes!!!

My furry friends are friends in a million, they are always there to keep this girl company and never speak out of turn, unlike certain humans I could mention! If I cannot sleep they’ll give me a cuddle. If I need someone to talk to they’ll listen to all I have to say and even give me new ways of looking at things, and agree with all I have to say. I love them all to bits and now couldn’t live without them.

I hope I’m not alone in loving my cuddly friends, and I hope other girls have given homes to cuddly animals in need too!

As Roachford once sang, 'My cuddly toy is my only joy!!!"

As a male my surname was Hill, so I suppose Phoebe's father's comment in his speech was quite 'entertaining', indeed 21 years later I remember it as if it was yesterday. However, about ten years ago I did do jury service and ended up as the Jury Forman (I hope they’ve now changed the term!!) I got to say “Guilty” to a woman we had to 'find on’ in court and judging by the way she broke down I would think she remembers my words in court! The difference being with good behavior she will have only been imprisoned for a few years I have carried my ‘punishment for over 20 years (My nickname in court was 'Hang 'em High Hill'.)

After the pub on that night we kissed and cuddled on her friend sofa, but it went no further. It was only a few days later that I saw her again and lost my virginity. As other girls will no doubt have experienced to enjoy (she lied) the most intimate of times I imagined that it was me getting made love to by the man I was, which I suppose could be described as the ultimate out of body experience!

We carried on dating (I hate that term), and it was during that time I reached one of the 'top of the world moments' that really means you have lived life. I had spent two years at art collage in Newcastle and decided I wanted to be an Advertising Copywriter. (They come up with ideas for advertisements for TV, press and radio etc.) I didn't like the idea of living in London, being a country girl at heart, so I looked for a job in the North. I ended up getting what was probably one of the best junior jobs outside London and should have been set for life whatever my sex.