Terry Thomas

Life in the Sandpit Terry Thomas

Like many other young married couples in the 1970s who were struggling to make a better future for their family Life in the Sandpit outlines my personal tale to improve my familys lifestyle. My wife Jean and I had to make some hard decisions if we were to achieve our goal. Having secured a job in the petroleum industry working in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia my adventure began. I, as well as my wife, were both apprehensive and yet excited at the same time, of the prospect of my living and working in another country. The downside being I would be going alone leaving my wife, my eight years old daughter Nicola and my six years old son David behind. The trials and tribulations of educating myself, not only in the technical aspects of my role, but also in adapting to a totally different culture was a big challenge. I was to meet many people on my journey and experience many, at times frightening, events, but all adding to my lifes tapestry. At the age of 31 years and going to work in a developing country, I was to witness many changes as the oil wealth was being used to improve the infrastructure of Saudi Arabia. During the period of my time in the Kingdom of Saudi between May 1977 and May 1978 there were major projects just starting and I in my tale I reflect on the part I played in the early stages of development. But for me it was the engagement with the people I met and worked with that produced the main adventure. The year I spent in Saudi was to shape my life in a most wonderful way.