Dennis and Ruby moved to Staffordshire in 1979, to be nearer work and cut down on travel. 

Over the following years they made several more journeys to visit their good friends in Bavaria, while some came to stay with them in Staffordshire.

Dennis developed many interests over the next few years, taking up golf and later bowls and painting. Always a keen motorist, he campaigned for a safer speed limit in their village, and served with the local community Speedwatch group.

He was able to spend more time on his love of classical music and especially Mahler, and eased into retirement in the 1990s.

Dennis and Ruby enjoyed holidays in Devon where he supported the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway.

Sadly Susan died in 2004, then Ruby in 2014.