Quick update from Willem and Sue - Sunday 23rd July 2006

We’re still having a wonderful time here in Switzerland.  If there’s such a time as a honeymoon period for a new job and a new country, we’re in it.  I’ve decided to give up another couple of hillclimbs (Wiscombe and Craigantlet) which is a great pity but there you go.  I feel my time is best spent here, and allowing a bit more time for engine development should pay dividends when I eventually get back out there on the hillclimb scene.  This call on the next couple of hillclimbs we made very recently.  I still have a reasonable chance of getting a Top 10 number, if we get strong results when eventually we get back out there.

Work has been busy and is keeping me reasonably well challenged trying to find effective solutions to the new set of challenges this job has presented.  Gradually I’m finding a really good way (he said modestly!).  However, one minor downside of a wonderfully warm summer is the fact that the windtunnel building has effectively no air-conditioning.  It’s 5 storeys tall and has glass on all 4 sides – every single wall.  From outside all you see are the structural beams and glass.  Our main office area is naturally on the top floor.  Heat rises.  Remember the bow ties?  I don’t wear them anymore!  I’ve given up the ghost on the long trousers, long-sleeved shirts and dress shoes and am going in sandals, shorts and short-sleeved shirts (still, for now, with a collar!).  This has made quite a difference.  The air-conditioning for the building will be ready – guess when: autumn, when it’s not needed!  Still that’s one problem I won’t have to worry about again in the near future.

I’m still managing to cycle to work with almost no exceptions at all and certainly (this is summer remember) the weather isn’t an excuse I use to switch to the car. Even coming home at 1.30am (as I said, there are challenges) isn’t a problem as I have good lights if I need them.  I’ve been taking to riding the downhill bike more frequently (at weekends) which slows you down more than somewhat going uphill but is then very quick coming back down.  Sue has been riding more and more as well and I’d say she is physically fitter now than she’s been for many years.  If we go out at the weekend together then it’ll be on the tandem which is getting quite a bashing.  Still at least that way we spend some time together.

 Willem

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