Glad to hear things are on the way up (although working away from home sucks imho).
I've likewise ended up sucking the milky teet of the Govt at the moment. Trouble is, can't tolerate the thought of being a wageslave again at the moment (at least not full-time permanent). Too much stress for the benefit of someone else's pocket.
Am quite tempted to get out of Engineering completely, and just open a shop. It may not be rocket science, but at least it would mean working for my own benefit rather than lining someone else's pocket.
Anyhoo, take it easy dude.