I / We (my wife Susan and I ) are somewhat nomadic! 

I'm 56, was born in Surrey, migrated to Cornwall (for work) then started globetrotting with stints in the Middle East (Saudi, Iran, Rwanda - the latter definitely for my sins!). I ended up meeting my wife in North Wales . . . that's another story.. We upped sticks and moved to Holland, again for work, where we stayed on and off for some 15 years. By now we were real Europhiles and bought a house in France, which we moved into finally after moving home on visits there, in February ' 97. 

Being an inspector in the petrochemical field, work is dependant on the oil prices. So-o-o, after 2 years without any sustainable work, cash was becoming a bit thin and in March 2000 my wife returned to England to look for work (to keep me in the manner to which I had become accustomed) - well, someone had to look after the dog and cats and birds . . . and my Bonsai trees!  Anyway, she found work and the oil price took an upturn and Bingo! - along came a job for me - but back in Holland of all places. As luck would have it, a Dutch couple had moved into a village near our house and I was introduced to them, being an old hand in the village. It just happens they are dog and bird lovers and stepped into the breach and are now looking after our menagerie. 

Now my frustration explodes - I am here until at least Christmas, maybe longer, and all my modelling gear is too far away to get my hands on!  As slope soaring in Holland is not really an option and doesn't have much appeal (can't think why!) I did consider hang gliding, but it didn't have the odour of dope and fuel. Then a helicopter seemed the ideal thing; however, I have come across a lad about 5 km from my apartment who is selling up - not helicopters regrettably, but a couple of nice smallish ·25 planes, they should fit in my car OK as well. All I need to complete the ensemble is a Tx and Rx.. which I might have discovered (with his help) on the Internet as well.  

So, hopefully, I will be airborne again after something like 15 years inactivity! I have found out one thing during this period, once Ether and Methanol are in the blood, there just isn't any cure. Well, there is - a healthy dose of balsa dust and a drip-feed of fuel proofer does seem to help a bit, but full recovery doesn't seem possible until the thumbs have contact with a pair of Tx sticks - I call the complaint 'Itchythumitis'.  Ah! the thrill of stinging cuts bathed in methanol and the bruised fingers, what can beat it ? 

Having been out of modelling for so long, my only 'fix' was via RCM&E, when I could get one that is, and having moved around so much my links with clubs has long since faded into the annals of history. I hope to find a local club here in Holland for as long as the job lasts, after which I may, if there is nothing further here, return to England - at least I will see my wife a bit more frequently!.

My probable relocation area will be where she is currently working in North Wales where I understand 'Crash' Parry resides (he is a contributor to RCM&E) so who knows, one day I might make contact with the famous - Ha! Ha!