First off, thanks for all the replies, it's good to hear that so many of you find a little inspiration when reading how a ppruner 'got there'.
To answer some of the specific questions (I can't be too long as I'm up at 04:30 to go to Heraklion!);
Rob747 - yes
Delta Wun-Wun - gazumped twice, third time lucky hopefully, going through at the moment in Congleton.
Carew - Benny?
Ennie - indeed it does, how's it going with you?
Tarmach - fortunes, all in around £55k not including living costs, loss of earnings etc etc.
Mad Jock - The story started back here;
http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/For...ML/008009.html
PP ( edited due to incompetence)
[This message has been edited by Pilot Pete (edited 18 June 2001).]