Back then in Germany, Ireland was commonly considered to be one of the very few safe countries for hitchhiking. During my three-week visit I absolutely fell in love with the unique beauty of this island, with the easygoing and friendly people and with the laid-back and stress-free way of life. Eighteen months later I sold all my belongings to generate enough money to start a new life here.

In 1981, Ireland was a very poor economy, unemployment was high and the standard of living was poor. It was very hard for me to do without all the luxuries that I was used to (no continental quilt, no Hoover, no phone, no car, no holidays) and I often felt that I had stepped back in time.

The Irish way of life however, made up for it all. I loved the music, the craic in the pubs, the sense of humour and the innocence of the people. My English was very basic and finding a job was hard. For weeks I walked the streets of Cork and eventually I found one . . . minding the furniture in an antique shop for �1 an hour. I am sure the man just felt sorry for me. I found more jobs cleaning in restaurants and hotels for the same pay and I was delighted to earn any money at all. In those days as a foreigner I was not entitled to sign on the dole.

Eventually I worked in my profession, but for very little money.

My qualifications were too high and no matching vacancy existed. I took the job for the pay of an unqualified person. It was hard to deal with but I have always believed in the saying 'when in Rome. . .'.

Back in the 1980s the Irish cuisine was very basic and plain and as a result I rediscovered the real taste of food. I was used to the very rich German cooking with its many gravies and sauces. Food additives and enhancers like monosodium glutamate were already widely used in German cooking when I grew up.

To me, a person who loves food, the quality of the Irish food is outstanding.

The taste of the Irish spud, the cream and milk and the cheeses, just to name a few, is second to none. To this day I adore Irish food and I think that the Irish who do cook are very good cooks.

Nowadays I live in a very beautiful rural area near Knockraha village with my Irish husband Martin Noonan, whom I met 20 years ago in a pub in Cork. Martin is a traditional hurley maker and we work together in our workshop at home. We both share a great love for nature, our environment and Ireland. In our spare time we are involved with IRDA (Irish Rescue Dogs Association). I am also involved in environmental research, presently concentrating on the adverse effects of industrial wind turbines on our health and on our environment.

I do not miss Germany at all, only my family and friends there. They all adore Ireland and they all envy me for living here. I wish we had direct flights from Cork to Cologne, so that I could see my people, especially my mum, more often.

The Celtic Tiger has changed Ireland beyond recognition and I do not like all of the dramatic changes that are happening here. Whilst the prosperity is great, I feel that the many rules and regulations and the enormous stress and pressure have taken its toll on all of us. Time has become a luxury and that is very hard to cope with. The same started happening in Germany 30 years ago and I was lucky to escape then.

For me life has come full circle now.

I am very grateful for the life I have been able to live here. It has taught me to appreciate things and not take them for granted. Ireland is outstanding in what it has to offer to all of us in terms of a healthy living environment, but we have to mind it better. I love nature and wildlife and our environment is a great concern of mine. I think if the Irish would speak up and complain a bit more, many things would change for the better.

Constructive criticism is essential for a healthy progress.

I call it 'the Emerald in the crown of Europe' and judging by the reaction of our many visitors, this is how Ireland is viewed abroad.

The Irish national pride is something that I have always admired and envied, because I never had this feeling for my own home country.

Despite being a foreigner I have adopted this pride, I am proud to be part of Ireland and I will never leave.