January Blahs

It had been just over two years since Dave Bullen and Mark Charnock had left for DATS to enjoy the rich life of contracting and, at in January, 1987, Ray Norton left the office to start a new life in America.

There was that same void in the office as before, a key member gone and "the rest of us" remaining to get on with it. This of course at the traditional low point of the year after all the New Year and Christmas festivities.

However, Ray leaving was a complete vanishing act, whereas, Dave and Mark had taken the time to continually taunt us all for staying in permanent jobs and of course would occasionally grace us with their presence on nights out.

I remember forlornly sitting at Rays drawing board and looking out of the window, I think Bob Pearce asked me if I wanted to switch from stress and start a real career in the drawing office.

I laughed out loud as he was almost reading my mind.