What inspired you to start writing Roatan Odyssey?
Brown: I missed Roatan when I was back in the UK and used to recount stories for friends and family about my life on the island. Gradually they persuaded me to write bits down and I enjoyed writing the story for myself. Over the years in fits and starts the notes metamorphosed into the book Roatan Odyssey.

Do you think you will ever go back?
Brown: I feel ambivalent about that. Obviously I miss friends mentioned in the book but they tell me I would be disappointed if I went back now. Apparently the island has become quite built up towards the West End, with four cruise ships calling there each week. Although Port Royal is still fairly untouched, hardly anything has changed there which is extraordinary as it is the most magnificent and historical area on the island.

Would you change any of the decisions you have made in your life?
Brown: I deeply regretted being apart from my children, and did work hard to finish the house and get it sold so I could get back to them. If I could go back in time, I probably wouldn’t have gone off with Howard, knowing so little about him. On the plus side, however, he gave me and the children the opportunity to experience a completely different environment and way of life. My sons and I have a close relationship and I see my grandchildren quite often.

Did you come to any new realisations when you were writing about your life?
Brown: If you don’t take risks you stay where you are. Calculated risks can sometimes go wrong - that’s the nature of them. But on the whole I am glad I did it. I am strong enough to take the consequences and live with the regrets.

How do you feel about your time on Roatan?
Brown: I was fortunate to be there at a time when, albeit unwillingly, I could experience solitude. Communication systems have now ensured we need never be alone without human contact ever again, yet we have lost so much by this. With solitude I learned to live with myself and my inadequacies, even forgive myself my multitude of short-comings. Inexplicable events took place and I learned to accept them despite being unable to explain them. I learned to live with fear, had time to absorb beauty and know boundless peace.

Are you working on any new projects at the moment?
Brown: Yes, a novel - purely for my own amusement. And I recently completed my thirteenth historical map of one of the remotest islands, St. Helena, which my husband and I visited on the Royal Mail boat recently. I am also studying Chinese art.