A long and winding route....
I lived near Biggin Hill and as a kid used to sit on my Dad's shoulders as we walked to the airshow. My dad (now 85) was a bit of a jack-the-lad and used to build airfields in WW2 and became great friends with numerous American aircrew. He used to keep us kids amused with all of kinds of stories, usually with an aviation flavour, a bit of poaching here and there etc etc.
Anyway roll forward a number of years and I joined the ATC (97 Squadron - Mitchem barracks), did the usual gliding and Chippie flying, enjoyed a fantasic summer camp at Binbrook -1976 - watching spell bound at the Lightenings.
Somehow tho' I didn't join the RAF, or try to become a pilot of any kind - I think to be honest I was sacred that if I chased the dream it would shatter - would I be good enough.
So, another 20+ years down the line and my wife who (like HighWing) got fed up with me buying the flying mags, and said 'go for it'.
So, here I am, not quite a pilot yet, but very near to finishing my PPL.
By the way (if you've managed to read this far), my handle 'Cricket 23' was actually the call sign of my ATC Squadron commander who flew Mozzie's
Nice thread, keep 'em coming.