Dear Working Hard and Mr Ripley - if nothing else you have made me chuckle! Being a 'partner' in 2005 has caused many a raised eyebrow at mess functions and guffaws from the chaps but I'm sure it was much worse in the 60's. Mr R, don't worry about seeming grumpy - I wish you well on your retirement and I hope you find highly paid work in the commercial sector (which can still be highly unstable I'm afraid).