Now retired after a varied life in industry and UK government service, I became a Reiki Master Practitioner some years ago (NOT a Teacher; that’s not a direction I feel drawn to – yet). I combine an upbringing in both the Scottish Presbyterian and Anglican/ Episcopalian views of Christianity with work experience of the Orthodox Christian tradition and Islam and an interest in the main Eastern religions, especially Buddhism. I couple that mix of philosophies with a formal engineering education and many years running businesses (not necessarily successfully!) as well some 35 years in the UK (reserve) military and nearly 25 years living and working in the stew of traditions and history which is the Balkans.
In addition to English as my mother tongue, I have a sufficient degree of fluency in German to watch German TV films (albeit with subtitles to counteract mid-range deafness) and a working knowledge of French thanks to school and much later working with French colleagues. I used to have tourist level Spanish, and at one time I could speak reasonably fluent Albanian. My ability in what used to be called Serbo-Croatian is, sadly, limited. Knowledge of languages is a vital aspect of being civilised.
On the family front, (extremely) happily married to a gorgeous lady I met in Skopje in the mid 2000s. Anke had intended to return to UK after completing her year of voluntary work with a NGO for disabled people, but I managed to change her mind. Between us we have 5 children (all in the same age bracket) 9 grandchildren, and a great-grandson who arrived on October 2018.
If you are interested, you can read more about us on ecohouse-risan.balkan-green.com also www.gbc.me
James Collins