I discovered where I was to be posted when I was at Border Radar, probably in March '76. I had been asked by a couple of people since the end of the Area course the previous year how I would feel about going to Glasgow. I gave a positive answer on both occasions. I had done my approach training there and rather liked most aspects of the place.

There I was at a filling station on the outskirts of Alnwick, when a car pulled up and the boss of Border Radar jumped out and told me that I was posted to Glasgow, with effect from the following Monday.

Scroll forwards 7 years, having acquired a wife (Norma), and two sons. I was on duty in the tower one morning when the Chief Officer (Gordon Doggett) appeared and said he had some advice for me. I asked what that was and he said I should start looking for houses in the Camberly area. That was his way of telling me I was being posted to Latcc. Needless to say, I had no intention of taking that advice and looked elsewhere.

I had expressed an interest in computers, and before I knew it was at West Drayton, being offered a position in ATC Ops (3). I then spent a lot of time learning all sorts of 9020 related stuff.
However, after a couple of years of that I asked to return to operational duties and joined D watch and did North Bank stuff.

I had medical issues in the run up to Swanwick opening and my medical certificate was suspended. I eventually got that back after a number of visits to CAA House at Gatwick and after revalidating continued until 2004.

I successfully applied in response to a VN for instructors at Bournemouth on detachment. and at the end of two years, took advantage of the early retirement scheme. About a week after I retired, I sold myself back to NATS as a contractor at Bournemouth doing two days a week there, that phase continued until 2009.

After that a fairly gentle retirement until Norma became ill. She died in 2023. I think I have been making adjustments ever since Here I am then, wondering what happens next. Expecting the arrival of another grandchild in a few weeks (that will be number 4). 

I'm sorry I can't be with you in June....probably something to do with a rather nice lady I have met.