Uncle Spike

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Born in the UK in the mid ’60s, I have had led an interesting and full life.

But before we get into all that, I also have a page called BLOG GUIDE if that’s what you are looking for. It’s sort of a one page guide around Uncle Spike’s Adventures, whereas this one is just my potted history…

Educated to age 16, just. Since then, I’ve lived/worked all over and tried my hand at many occupations and professions; from gardener to very unsuccessful insurance salesman; from warehouseman to mainframe computer programmer; from shepherd to chauffeur; from househubby/parent to IT analyst/manager. As you sit there reading this, I’m having a bash at fruit farming in Southern Turkey, blogging and somehow I’ve also become a proof-reader for academic papers, conference articles and post-grad theses. It’s a curious mix I’ll admit.

Survived a reckless decade of self indulgent wantonness, just. But in hindsight, what a cracking education in life and humanity. Travelled extensively for 35+ years. Definitely not change adverse; relish the challenge of reinvention. Thrive on adventure, whilst happy at home or wandering around the garden with a mug of coffee in hand. Always the handyman, with a trail of DIY building endeavours in my wake, mostly successful, but a few train wrecks along the way too. Not a bad landscape gardener though, and passable as a farmer. 

After a few disastrous engagements when I was young, I was married for 15 years, but then widowed just before I was 39. Now happily remarried to a terrific lady; a Turkish academic with a successful professional background, but a keen sense of humour and two feet firmly on the ground. We have a bilingual smart-arse lovable kid, with more brains than us both combined; a constant source of amusement, challenge and financial burden. For a while he had his own blog too, although schoolwork keeps him busy these days, he rarely finds the time to look at it – one day perhaps. 

Having ticked off the half-century thing, I’m still always busy, constantly reinventing my world. For fun (?), I’m a part-time MAMIL, fighting the love-handles of middle-age through middle-distance road cycling. Being honest, I reckon I’m pretty content with life.

So, these are the ramblings of Uncle Spike… 

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