The introduction
 
For in excess of 70 years, my brain has had to deal with a varying combination of pleasure, pain, secrets, loneliness, truths and half truths. As a direct result of the events surrounding my birthday on 23rd March, 2026, I have decided to write my life story. This will not be published in the normal way, but will be made available to any and all of my friends and family electronically.		  
  You can continue reading the introduction here
 
 
  Chapter 1: I was born at an early age
 
As stated in the introduction, some parts of this story are both difficult to write, and difficult to read and absorb. So, lets get some of that out of the way, all on the first page. I guess it's not too common in a life story, but this one is going to start about 12 to 15 months before I was born.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 1 here
 
 
  Chapter 2: Home life with Jack and Marjorie Simpson
 
This is a traumatic subject to cover, mainly because mum and dad were both quite difficult people to understand and get to know. In reality, neither of them knew how to communicate or interact with others.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 2 here
 
 
  Chapter 3: Paint, Petrol, and Varnish
 
A vivid memory, which had several consequences. Our neighbours at the Stratford caravan site were Harry Brown and his daughter Stella. She is pictured on an earlier page, and was my first love, I was about 10.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 3 here
 
 
  Chapter 4: Infant and Junior School
 
My infant and junior years are memorable for..... not a lot that I can remember. So, in no particular order, I will go through a set of memories that may, or may not be school based. Also, I cannot really put a date to any of them.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 4 here
 
 
  Chapter 5: Senior School
 
In 1960 I started senior school and had to create a whole new set of friendships. That's not easy for me, being the sort of person I am, but it was not long before I noticed, and linked up with a new friend, Nick Hodges.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 5 here
 
 
  Chapter 6: Big Changes Ahead
 
Way back on page one I said that this was going be a chronological account my life. At this stage I have decided to group several similar things together.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 6 here
 
 
  Chapter 7: Two Go To College
 
1966 was not a year I was ever happy with. Bronwen and I both went off to college. I was at Solihull Technical College and still living at home, while Bron was away at teacher training college in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, and of course, living away.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 7 here
 
 
  Chapter 8: Employment
 
Here we go with employment. For convenience, I am going to split it all away from the general chapters, and work through it all in one chapter.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 8 here
 
 
  Chapter 9: A New Life
 
This is going to be an exciting chapter, for all sorts of reasons. As I said in chapter 7, a good deal of 1975 was a quiet, lonely year, and what I really needed was something (or someone) to help me turn my life around.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 9 here
 
 
  Chapter 10: A New Life
 
So, late in 1975 all the planning got going for the 'Big Day' in 1976. The first major event was the clearance and sale of my bungalow, 45 Derwent Close, Brownsover, Rugby (cost £3495.00 in 1971).		  
  You can continue reading chapter 10 here
 
 
  Chapter 11: Married Life Again
 
Our marriage has been blessed with the birth of two daughters. Angela was first on the scene in 1978, followed by Helen in 1981.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 11 here
 
 
  Chapter 12: The Big Question
 
I am not sure about when this bit happened, but now is as good a place as anywhere to recall it. Way back in Chapter 7 I said:		  
  You can continue reading chapter 12 here
 
 
  Chapter 13: The Copper Kettle
 
This is a story which spreads over 9 months and several thousand miles. The cost runs well into 4 figures, and has an almost unbelievable ending.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 13 here
 
 
  Chapter 14: A Secret Kept For 55 Years
 
The year 2004 will be a year to stand out in my memory. Let me take you on an emotional journey that will affect all of our lives for ever.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 14 here
 
 
  Chapter 15: Artifacts
 
Over the years I have gathered a surprising quantity of information about Wendy. To me, one of the most interesting things was that Wendy and her husband owned a sea going sailing boat named 'Nancy'.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 15 here
 
 
  Chapter 16: Woodturning
 
In 2007 I started to have thoughts about my retirement. The main question was "What am I going to do with all that spare time". My thoughts went back to 1963 and the wood turning I did at school, "I ENJOYED THAT, so that is what I will do again".		  
  You can continue reading chapter 16 here
 
 
  Chapter 17: We Go Full Circle
 
For reasons that will quickly become clear, my story will end more or less where we started. In March 2026 we had a holiday booked in an Air B&B in Saundersfoot (Near Tenby, South Wales).		  
  You can continue reading chapter 17 here
 
 
  Chapter 18: The End
 
Well, That was interesting, and I hope you enjoyed it. On page 1 I wrote "It will surely be revealing in many ways", and I am really quite surprised at how much I have learnt about myself as I worked my way through the years.		  
  You can continue reading chapter 18 here
 
 
  The Pardoe Family Tree
 
This diagram will show you how I relate to the Pardoe family. I appear in the middle of the block on the left hand side of the diagram.		  
  You can view the Pardoe family tree here
 
 
  The Pressley Family Tree
 
This diagram will show you how I relate to the Pressley family. I appear in the middle of the block on the right hand side of the diagram.		  
  You can view the Pressley family tree here