Walking in my sleep - Jane Chichester

Describes a Hampshire childhood in peace and war: 1938 to 1942. Jane Chichester had a very unorthodox childhood, free from school and any serious supervision she was at liberty to spend her time as she chose - with her animals and eccentric people around her. And at night she walked in her sleep. Jane is enjoying an idyllic country childhood when the story begins. Untroubled by any formal education or adult supervision she fills her days with her animals, imaginary companions and the eccentric people who live or work on the farm. She observes her glamorous parent's parties with a critical eye, but they are not part of her life. At night she sleep walks. When war breaks out this peaceful existence is shattered by the arrival of a family of female cousins who move in for the duration. They bring with them a governess, and therefore discipline, timetables and regular meals. This enchanting book, sometimes sad, and sometimes hilarious, tells how she comes to terms with an invasion, which she sees as bad as any going on across the Channel. It is the story of a vanished world, which many older readers may recognise, and in which many younger ones would wish to live.