Apologies that there was no blog on Friday. We were on the boat all day Friday and Saturday. The past couple of days were very busy with final preparations. A friend of mine, Noel and Nuala’s sister, Kate helped us. We could not have done it without them, so a big thanks to them! Continue reading
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. I now know that if we make the effort we will have many more chance meetings like these on the journey from Paris to Berlin. Continue reading
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 a special effort and get involved in the Aware Run, I made a bet with my own staff in Topaz Local Fuels that if they volunteered to do the run, I would also. Continue reading
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 tight budget we have had to make lots of compromises and careful choices as to where to spend our money. Continue reading
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 through officialdom in Europe much easier. But unfortunately, we are missing one vital piece of paperwork to prove transfer of ownership back in 2001. Continue reading
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 she heard the smoke alarm downstairs going off. I got up, went down and found the living room fireplace on fire. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
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 doctor. Last of all…. a haircut! Continue reading
 | calendar ortodox on Back in Chalon ! |
 | beatepage on Summary of the Year Away |
 | Anne McDonald on Summary of the Year Away |
Adrian and Nuala's Gap Year 
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 time in bed and I have not able to do a lot of the action items on my Gap Year Planning list. Continue reading →
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