Very interesting thread, this. To tidy up a little loose end for me, tsuwm, I think your "duct tape" is the same as the Oz (and presumably UK) "gaffer tape". Can you confirm this?

Re: <BTW, got any hunches as you approach the century mark?>
Surely the most likely promotion for a journeyman is "master". If this is so I hope you would not consider it a demotion!

Rgds, lusy