Chapter 3, 1983 - 1985
Although we were both now in full time work things were a bit of a struggle so I decided to apply for a taxi driving licence, allowing me to do some part time work in the evenings and weekends. As I was now working for the police it was necessary to get permission to do taxi work, which I got, completed the exam and received my licence.
I managed to get some driving work with a company near Lochee. I would finish my day job and pick up the taxi around 5pm, on a Tuesday and Thursday, finishing between 1am and 2am. I would also work Saturday, 5pm till between 4am and 5am. This would go on for a few years, giving us some extra cash.
The following few years were fairly standard fare for a struggling married couple. United won the league in '92 though, which was a break from the norm.
Live Aid came and went.
We’d go to work, come home, I worked days, Sandra worked part time nights, or maybe it was back shift in these days. We were getting on great though. We’d have the odd weekend out with friends, Sandra now and again going out with friends on a Saturday when I was working the taxi. More often than not though she was in alone on Saturdays.
We’d holiday in Sheffield with friends in the summer, which was always good fun. We had a great holiday with friends, driving to the South of France.
I was enjoying working with the Police but the wages were poor and I really wanted to work in Photography. I’d become interested in photography at college and Sandra had bought me my first SLR for my 21st in 1980, which I’ll be forever grateful for. I remember the time well. Over the last couple of years I’d built up a pretty decent portfolio, mainly landscape work.
Around August or September of 1984 I spotted an advertisement in the local newspaper for a position as a photographer, working mainly in the darkroom at The Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI). I applied and was delighted to be offered an interview. I had my interview and a few weeks later I was offered the job with a start in October. The fact I was a United supported and played golf may have helped and both played a huge part in my relationship with my workmates over the eighteen years I worked in the small department. It was a great job with lots of great memories.
Although the wages were better than at the Police Station I continued to work on the taxis.
Then all of a sudden it was December 1985. Sandra was pregnant. We were both delighted.
