About Me

Hi everyone.

I’m Rob. I was born 9 months after the war (1939-1945, before you ask) ended. Make of that what you will.

I was raised and went to school in Plymouth, got a degree in Physics in London (UCL), spent a year in Leicester as an engineer then a year at Uxbridge Uni. getting a PGCE.

After 34 years of teaching, mostly Physics and Science but also Maths and Computing, I took early retirement in 2004. Mortgage paid off, fast car in the garage, new computer and twice-yearly holidays.

I’ve been very happily married since Christmas eve 1973, with a son who is a perpetual art student. My wife, Sue, is still working full-time, bless her, as an I.T. manager. I have a part-time driving job and I mark exam papers. I love gardening and there are always jobs to do in the house but I need to get out and talk to people a couple days a week, even if the pay is poor.

[edit August 2007:

Having taken early retirement at Christmas, Sue now has a part-time job on the same days as me, at the same car auction. She’s helping in the cafeteria, though, not driving.]

[Edit October 2008:

I succumbed to flattery, I suppose, being drawn out of my semi-retirement to respond to a local sixth-form College which needed an A’ level Physics teacher. I’m only working half-time but the main thing is that I’m really enjoying it.]

[Edit Feb 2010:

I really enjoyed my year at the College but back to driving now, with tutoring and occasional  exam marking to keep the brain active. Sue is now assistant manager in the cafeteria.]

[Edit April 2011:

Having quit her full-time catering post, Sue now has a part-time, similar, job with Subway.]

[Edit Jan 2012:

Sue has (just about) accepted it’s actually time to retire properly, if not gracefully. I can’t see myself continuing all the part-time jobs for many more years so then we’ll both be proper pensioners.

In the meantime, with James + wife + 2 children (and a 3rd on the way) living in New Zealand, yearly trips to see them are a ‘must’.  Hence we’re having to cut down on other holidays. Life is still pretty good, though.]

[Edit October 2012:

I finally decided to stop the auction driving. Just as well since, with our new adopted canine friend, there are now plenty of (more enjoyable) other things to help fill my time.]

[Edit June 2014:

That’s it. I’m now 100% retired and unemployed. No more tutoring or exam marking. The plan was for dog-walking and relaxing but the imminent house move is keeping me (us) busier than ever. In fact it’s exhausting. We’ll need a holiday once we’re settled into our new place.

Meanwhile, Sue’s digestive problems look very much as if she has celiac disease – intolerance to gluten and lactose. Cue some very careful meal and snack selection, possibly for the rest of her life.]

[update Feb 2019:

Wow, nearly 5 years.

Sue’s lactose and gluten intolerance was nasty and inconvenient while it lasted – about 2 years – but stopped just as quickly as it started. Strange but a great relief.

We holidayed in Cape Verde, New Zealand and – nearer to home – Brixham in the intervening years. We also went to our first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix: Silverstone last year and almost immediately booked again for 2019. So I hope to publish some posts about all that and more, with photos of course.]

That’s enough about me. Have a browse and please leave some feedback in a comment.

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