A1RRMME

Simples,

Set up an alarm business in 1983 (doing alarm installs evenings, weekends and 'annual holiday' days, whilst also working full time in a different trade), built up slowly without borrowing from them over generous banks! and then left the 'day job' to work full time (60 to 70 hours a week) doing alarm installs, servicing and repairs.

Sold it all in Feb 2008 (25 years of waiting for the next call-out) to retire (early, aged 59) and spend our time between UK and rural France.

So our gap year (or 2, or 3) is in France, rather late in life, but still very enjoyable, paradise even.

,

Rob.