The Very Big Day

Lap 50 Day 1

My return to blip begins today - my 49th birthday.

Also the day I left the place I've worked for nearly 32 years. Yes, really!

I started my apprenticeship as a skinny, wild-haired 17 year old along with the 100-odd other teenagers in the group shot above (that's me back row, 9 in from the left).

The skinny has long gone, but the hair's still here (just).

As you might imagine, leaving after all these years was a bit of an emotional affair. This is a selection of the gifts I received from my colleagues, many of whom are lifelong friends.

There's a new challenge on the horizon, but for now, I'm going enjoy a coupe of weeks R&R