Many thanks chaps. Yes a v-understanding Mrs helps alright.
In answer to Sternone the training took 2 years but was interrupted by a few life changers like marriage/mortgage and as aforementioned, offspring.
Together with poor Irish wx (trained at NFC @ EIWT) and only having one spare kidney to sell it did all take a little longer than expected.
That said I hope to get out and get some hours built up now towards going for CPL, MEIR, an MCC and with luck a career change at 40!
Only remains to target a couple of country post-offices on pension day with a sawn-off to pay for it all!