Big Al,
in response to your questions,
1)35
2)35
3)PPL followed by BCPL then BCPL Upgrade
4)God Knows. Including all PPL flying about 50K
5)About 2 months from finishing ATPL exams.At the end of the last recession!
6)Not at all
7)See 4 above.Beg,borrow and steal.
8)No, yes!
All the best of luck mate.Wish I was 32 again.
Wouldnt change anything but Im going to have a lot of grey hair by the time I see the LHS.