My out of office helpfully informs me that it was 138 days since my sabbatical leave started. It’s certainly been a busy, interesting and fulfilling start to my year away from DHL. How did I ever find the time to work?
Time at home, doing those jobs I’ve been putting off for years. Quality time with friends and family. Day trips and long weekends with Lynne and the family. A fantastic holiday in Florida. Lots of cooking at home and a good few shifts under my belt at Dickies Farm Dining. And I’ve grown a beard!
I’ve enjoyed every minute. I feel great, healthier, relaxed and happier. I can recommend it.
If my sabbatical leave was a play we would be reaching the end of Part One (of what I think will be a four parter). The next week will see Part Two quickly taking shape.
Joe starts his final year at University after a years work placement, how quickly have those three years gone. A year of working 9-5 has prepared him for the final year and his aim of getting better results than his Dad at every level of his education. Good luck in your final year son, we are very proud of you, go for it!
And on Saturday our little girl is heading off for her first year at University. To Birmingham City to study marketing. She is all packed and ready to go and, assuming we can fit everything in the car, should be settled in by Saturday lunchtime. Excited is an understatement and armed with her freshers week schedule (which includes a trip to Cadbury World) she has a busy few weeks ahead. Good luck Lucy, go grab the opportunities in front of you, I know you will xx
And then on Tuesday, Lynne and I take the ferry across to Ireland for a weeks holiday on the coast in County Cork before I move into my new digs ready to start the 12-week certificate course at the Ballymaloe Cookery School on the 23rd September.
Chef’s whites purchased, knives sharpened, wellies and raincoat packed I’m ready to be immersed in the Ballymaloe food bubble for 12-weeks to learn and experience as much as I can possibly cram in during this precious time. The cookery school is based on a 100 acre farm in the South of Ireland affording the opportunity to use fresh produce from Ireland‘s luscious land and vast seas.
Spare a though for my lovely wife and best friend Lynne who will fly home from Cork to an empty house having seen both Lucy and I off in the space of a week. But don’t feel too sorry for her with offers from all angles (swimming with Rob and daily coffee with PES) and trips to Dubai, Lincolnshire, Harrogate, Ireland (alone and with others to visit me) and elsewhere planned I’m sure she’ll have a ball and enjoy a little peace and quiet in a tidy house!
Ballymaloe will, I am sure, give me lots of opportunities to blog but follow me on instagram where I will be posting lots of pictures (timsl_25).
Here’s to an exciting Part 2