Thanks very much Gerald.
In terms of a driver for engineering and becoming an engineer, it was something that I have wanted for a long time. My dad was a carpenter and joiner. I recall he said that a fellow that he knew was studying to become a civil engineer. Every time he would see this chap, on a tram or a train, he had his head in an engineering book, studying. When I was accepted into the course, (they had 253 applications of which 80 applicants were interviewed, and 28 were accepted), I made it my mission to repay the academics that had faith in me. I had to show that their faith in my ability to succeed was warranted. I never lost motivation, I just never gave up. Of the 28 only 5 have graduated this year. A few are still going whilst the majority failed at one point or another. At most universities around the World, only 30% of students that start an engineering degree will finish. It is one of the hardest degrees that a person can do. That is why many engineers, myself included do not take kindly to people calling themselves an engineer when they do not possess the qualifications to back it up, at the very minimum, a 4-year full-time degree in engineering.
My Dad was a very practical person. He would teach me about cars, and I would give him a hand to do simple tasks where as a boy I was capable. Pumping air into tyres or using a grease gun. I have my Rover because of my Dad. He bought it and after he was gone I wanted to look after it. He had thought of buying a 1978 Ford Fairlane with a 4.9 litre V8, so if that was the purchase, I may well still have that instead.
Ron.