Sorry to hear your news, from the advice given above and from your own posting, take the job and keep your ears open, you stand a far better chance of hearing about work if you're still in the loop than out of it - I know my involuntary 'holiday' lasted nearly 15 months.

Good luck and best wishes.

Bill.

PS: Just a thought - Don't know what line your in - PM and you never know I may hear of something that could help.