Wednesday, 21st. January 1976.

A somewhat dull day for me that started with handing in a map I had been working on for Spatial Analysis – in those days maps had to be drawn by hand with extensive use of stencils, rulers and protractors! After wondering around the West End I compiled a mix tape and, sadly, missed the ‘launch’ of Concorde, as I referred to it in my diary.

As a schoolboy I wanted to be a pilot and therefore joined the ATC (Air Training Corps). I remember to this day that it was Newton Abbot 1322 Squadron. I flew (or more accurately co-flew) gliders and Chipmunks. But what I was really interested in was space.

The first commercial flight of the British Airways Concorde was today at Heathrow, and I had intended to be there. The only time I ever actually boarded one was some years later at the RNAS Yeovilton museum. I have still not been able to get into space…!