You're in good company, then, Cliff. Quite a few members here are in that same situation, and I hope to be there in, say, 35 years. But in the meantime, wouldn't 'semi-retired' also be a good euphemism for 'unemployed'?

Also, here's the quote from the D40 manual about the trigger voltage:

Use only Nikon Speedlights. Negative voltages or voltages over 250V applied to the accessory shoe could not only prevent normal operation, but damage the sync circuitry of the camera or flash. Before using a Nikon Speedlight not listed in this section, contact a Nikon-authorized service representative for more information.

Thank you for the welcome, very pleased to be part of Nikonrumors. I can see I am going to enjoy this forum. At last I can pursue my long time hobby more now I am semi retired.

Thanks for sooo quick response. I also see (from your link) my old Vivitar 283 ( circa 1980) is capable of frying my hard earned 40

By the way, welcome to the forum.

It should be no problem, Cliff. Max trigger V on the D40 is 250V, and this one has a trigger voltage of 6V or 3V depending on where you look (here, for example: http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html ).
edit: fixed broken link, as the publishing software was including the close paren in the link.

I have been offered a Starblitz Macro-lite 1000 to experiment with for my macro & close up photography. I have also been informed of older generation flash units that may damage some DSLR´s.
Has anyone experience of this item used on a D40 ?
I am saving for a Speedlight SB600 for general use but in the meantime the free use of the Starblitz would be handy.
Thanks in advance
Cliff