Brought up in the Lake District, a keen interest in anything involving aviation brought about a career of almost 45 years starting with light aircraft and then on to the airline industry becoming a training Captain with various airlines including Virgin Atlantic on the Boeing 747. It all started with a piece of furniture inherited from his grandfather. Following retirement a further investigation into his family history was started by a letter found after the death of his father. This in turn lead to the fascinating story of his family having to flee from Nazi oppression and make a new life for themselves in different parts of the world. The author is retired and lives with his wife Jan in the rural North of England.