Hi Scooby & welcome to the forum
I notice that you're in Yorkshire... me too. If you drop me a PM and let me know the general area you're in we may not be too far from each other. There are one or two others from the Yorkshire area here as well.
This is a great community and a great place to talk about your laser addiction. Yes, sadly we're all very much addicts here and are completely consumed by our love of coherent light
So, you're due to retire at 50 , lucky *******. I guess that must make you a Policeman, a Fireman or some other Civil Servanty type person . I'm in the 50's club and would love to be just 5 years from retirement, but i'm not bitter
As Soffy says, the UK laser enthusiasts meetings are a great place to go to get an idea of what's available out there. The next one is on December 5th & 6th in Surfleet, Lincolnshire.
Oh, one other thing... I sincerely hope you've got one hell of a pension pot (and a very understanding other half)... Believe me when I say you're gonna need it if you're getting into this hobby
Cheers
Jem
Quote: "There is a theory which states that if ever, for any reason, anyone discovers what exactly the Universe is for and why it is here it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another that states that this has already happened.”... Douglas Adams 1952 - 2001