So if you found your way here you are probably aware that, after 28-years in gainful employment, I have seized the opportunity to move away from the corporate world for 12-months and take some time out. Sabbatical leave according to the HR policy. The timing was good, my current assignment had ended, the loose ends all closed, the people I care about sorted and nothing obvious for me to step into so why not.

Wiki tells me that “the concept of the sabbatical is based on the Biblical practice of shmita, and Jews in the Land of Israel must take a year-long break from working the fields every seven years. A “sabbatical” has come to mean an extended absence in the career of an individual to fulfil some goal, e.g., writing a book or travelling extensively for research”.

Well I am not sure about writing a book but with my highly trained corporate mindset still in existence (its going to take a while for this to change) I have set myself a number of objectives and goals to achieve during the next 12-months. These include:

• Recharging the batteries, and improving health & fitness.
• Spending much more time with family and friends. Supporting my daughter through her Exams and into University. Reconnecting.
• Travelling extensively with anyone who’ll come with me.
• Attending the 12-week certified course at the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland http://cookingisfun.ie/certificate-course/12-week-certificate-course-overview
• Building new memories and learning new skills. Working out what the next chapter looks like for Mrs Slater and I.

I have been challenged to share my experiences over the next 12-months and will attempt to do that in this blog (my first new skill, setting up a blog). So please follow, comment and share. I’ll try and keep in interesting!