I'm on the left, Gina and then Richard - my best friend at university.

In 1979 I take the entrance exam for Oxford University....and pass. They offer me 2Es and I'm in! I go up to Oxford October 1980 and start my PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics).

Defying the odds Gina and I remain together and two years later,  she too has a university place and sets off to Newcastle to study Medicine.

 

 

 

Gina, her mum, Mary and sister Karen. At Castle Leazes - Halls of Residence

 

I finished my degree at Oxford University in 1983 but didn't return to graduate until 1984. I was just too busy! I had been in the fortunate position of immediately starting as a Trainee Actuary for Friends Provident and this meant yet more exams to take that summer of 1983.

In the October of 1985 we come back to Liverpool to celebrate Gina's 21st im her mum and dad's house. 

 

Ann, Uncle Sandy, Peg at the back. Mary, Stan and Cath on the middle row. Gina and Karen at the front.

 

 

 

By September, I had passed my first exams and applied for an internal transfer to Newcastle (to be with Gina).

Gina was still studying to be a doctor and we started living together on Bayswater Road (close to the city centre) for the first time. We very quickly acquired two cats: Lemmy and Plug. Plug had a short life - run over a year later but buried with full honours in our local park.

 

Lemmy on our doorstep

 

Me with Lemmy and Plug.

 

Gina at the 4th Year Medical Students Musical Review. Also Janet and Karen Heslington. 

Kathryn, Paddy, Fiona, John, Janet and Gina - the Medical Review Team

 

 

Gina graduated in 1987 as a doctor and we moved back to our home town - Liverpool