Helen Bach: The Road Less Travelled with Sliding Doors...

There have been a lot of big changes in my life recently, and I've been looking back and wondering if I've made the right decisions and if I'd have done anything differently, given the chance.

I guess I'm picturing Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah in 'Sliding Doors', except based in Northamptonshire, and probably featuring a green United Counties bus, so not as glamorous, and not exactly sliding doors, more of a squeak and a bang, but you get the idea.

I've been watching Race Across The World - no surprises there - and I can particularly relate to Caroline. There was a moment in the show, when they were cleaning somewhere to earn a few quid, and her son Tom said something along the lines of Mum's in her element doing this, she loves looking after people.

And I'm sure I'm not the only woman/wife/mother in the country who said 'Does she?! Are you sure about that?! Or is she just doing it because that's what's expected of her?!'

Don't get me wrong, maybe she has been happy being obviously a kind, caring and doting mother, but it was also obvious that she surprised herself at how strong and resilient she was when faced with various obstacles on the journey.

I also think that some of the other competitors underestimated her, which in all honesty was their problem, not hers. But you often hear women, particularly those aged around 50 and above, saying that they become invisible, and it's absolutely true.

I mean it's been years since I queued at a busy bar and tried to catch the eye of the bartender, but you can bet your bottom dollar it won't be me he serves a large glass of Savvy B to first!

Well, you know what, there's a lot of us who are a bit fed up with being overlooked because we're past our so-called childbearing years - so here's my message - we're here, we're menopausal, and treat us with scorn at your peril!

Hell hath no fury like a woman in the middle of a hot flush!