ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The author is a retired telecommunications engineer having spent nearly 40 years with a large telecommunications company. During his period as a technical officer he proved an innovative engineer designing, on his own initiative, automatic Strowger Exchange Test and Routine equipment. At this time in his career the author obtained a Full Technological Certificate in Telecommunications with a distinction in digital computers at advanced level; he also became a Graduate Member of the IEETE. As a manager he was, amongst many other duties, responsible for initiating, planning and developing successful lightning protection earthing systems. During the latter years of his profession he produced several engineering instruction booklets. Shortly after retirement and whilst living in Shropshire, England he quickly learnt how to use a personal computer. As a consequence the author produced a ‘User Guide for Personal Computers’ which was well received by students and other interested parties. From a very early age the author has had a keen interest in Astronomy - this interest was also encouraged by weekly observational trips to the local astronomical observatory, Penylan Hill, Cardiff - he continues his hobby by limited observation with a small refractor telescope and as an ‘armchair astronomer’ - he is currently a member of the Shropshire Astronomical Society. During his early years the author was a keen Youth Hosteler and as such cycled or walked to many different hostels throughout England and Wales. Indeed, one memorable visit was staying in a ‘real’ castle at the St. Briavels Castle Youth Hostel in Monmouthshire - at that time a comet was easily discernable in the night sky from the castle courtyard, impressively framed by the castle battlements. During his early twenties the author completed the annual Whitsun Youth Hostels South Wales Marathon Walk in a day; a distance of 40 miles as the ‘crow flies’, whilst at the same time climbing the seven highest peaks in South Wales; the highest being Pen-y-Fan (886 metres) in the Brecon Beacons. Whilst living in Pembrokeshire and at the instigation of his grandchildren the author has also written a children's book titled ‘Troll Castle and the Forbidden Chamber of Gold’. This has been produced as an e-book and can be obtained from Deunant Books - electronic books online at www.deunantbooks.com.