I can add a bit to Danamo's comment about Sambucus.

Last time I spoke to Alan he said he was suffering from age related macular degeneration, which unfortunately is a non reversible thing and at the present moment it also appears to be untreatable, especially over here in the UK. Haven't had a mail or IM from him for some time.

He is one of the few brycers that is older than me, it's an awful shame. WHat can one say.

The greatest part of wisdom is learning to develop  the ineffable genius of extracting the "neither here nor there" out of any situation...."