Monthly Archives: February 2014

Your Health is Your Wealth

I always remember my Granny saying  ‘Your Health is your Wealth.’ How many of us really believe it? For the last few days, I have been laid low with some sort of a bug. I have spent most of the … Continue reading

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Two Chance meetings on Sligo Train

Last week I went to Sligo on the train. On the journey I met two very different people. The first was a PR Consultant and the other had an unusual folding bicycle. Meeting both has helped our Gap Year Plans. … Continue reading

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Taking a Gap Year – At our Stage in Life? Are We Mad?

When we tell people we are taking a Gap Year it’s interesting to watch their reaction. Some say –“Great what a brilliant idea and you are right to do it when you can”. Others mutter something like “Great, well for … Continue reading

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The last Run for Topaz

My last engagement for Topaz was to take part in the Aware Run in the Phoenix Park on the 14th December 2013. I have always been interested in keeping fit and when Topaz asked all departments within the company to make … Continue reading

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Microwave or Washing Machine?

While ‘C’est La Vie’ is overall in great condition, we have had to make a number of improvements so that the boat will be comfortable for full time living aboard. This has raised many issues for us and with a … Continue reading

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Registering the Boat- Today is D Day !!

As told in blog on 4th February, the boat should be registered under the Mercantile Marine act of 1955. If we can achieve this we can register as a ship of the Irish State and it will make our passage … Continue reading

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Fire in the House

Last November when we were in the middle of planning our Gap Year and I was managing my departure from Topaz, we had a fire in our house. We were in bed, when at 3am Nuala woke me to say … Continue reading

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The house is up for rent – the car is up for sale – only seven weeks before we leave.

To help finance the gap year we decided to rent out the house and sell my car. After interviewing a number of renting companies we decided to give the task to Sherry Fitzgerald Lettings.

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A conversation with the barber about our Gap Year

As part of the planning for a gap year, both Nuala and I have had to do a lot of personal preparatory work. For me that included –eye tests – new glasses – dentist – annual check up with the … Continue reading

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Registering the Boat as a Ship of the Irish Nation– Can We Make it Happen?

Will the boat be C’est la Vie or Lady Mar? We have been told that it is much better if the boat can be officially registered in Ireland before we take it to France and Germany. As the boat has … Continue reading

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