Like many other young married couples in the 1970’s who were struggling to make a better future for their family Life in the Sandpit outlines Terry Thomas’ personal tale to improve his family’s lifestyle. He and his wife Jean had to make some hard decisions if they were to achieve their goal.

Having secured a job in the petroleum industry working in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia his adventure began. Terry, as well as his wife, were both apprehensive and yet excited at the same time, of the prospect of him living and working in another country. The downside being he would be going alone leaving his wife, his 8 years old daughter Nicola and his 6 years old son David behind.

The trials and tribulations of educating himself, not only in the technical aspects of his role, but also in adapting to a very different culture was a big challenge. He was to meet many people on his journey and experience many, at times frightening, events, but all adding to his life’s tapestry.

At the age of 31 years and going to work in a developing country, Terry was to witness many changes as the oil wealth was being used to improve the infrastructure of Saudi Arabia. During the period in the Kingdom of Saudi between May 1977 and May 1978 there were major projects just starting and in this tale, he reflects on the part he played in the early stages of development. However, for Terry, the engagement with the people he met and worked with produced the main adventure. The year he spent in Saudi was to shape his life in a most wonderful way.