My name is Michael and I am from Vancouver, B.C., Canada. In January of 2007, my wife and I made a difficult, but exciting, decision to move to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland as she was offered a job there. We also have family there and it was a concious decision on our part to slow life down and try something new. We will be switching roles for a while as Joanne goes to work and I stay home and raise our son Callum who was born June 4, 2006. I will also be finishing off my masters degree in public administration which I am completing through distance education with the University of Victoria (http://web.uvic.ca/padm/).
It is now February and we are in the final planning stages of the big move. Soon we will make decisions regarding what to take and what to leave behind. Joanne and Callum leave for Scotland on March 19. I follow on April 19 and meet the family in Malta for a 2 week holiday before we settle in to life on the Isle of Lewis. I hope to update this blog frequently to keep our friends and family posted on our new life.
In the meantime, please excuse me while I battle the wordpress learning curve and test the various features and functions.
Cheers!
Michael
Mike and Joanne,
Matthew sent me the link awhile back to the Braun/Gaucci blog, but it is only now that I’ve had the chance to read it and live vicariously through your process….big changes are in the works and departure appears imminent; it must be alternately daunting, mindstopping and thrilling. I hope the new venue for your lives is both an adventure and a chance to slow it down, connect with the landscape and figure what is really important and meaningful individually and as a family. (If it ever feels too daunting, get a hold of Father Ted dvds from Ireland…you’ll be able to relate..)
and mike, of course it goes without saying — there is a guy in Montréal who is going to miss you something fierce….all best on the move and all it brings!
Margo
Hi,
Just discovered your blog from your comments on Silversprite and I have to say that I am full of envy that you will shortly be living in Lewis. We have plans to move there in three years time when we are able to pay off our mortgage and we are already planning and beginning the long process of selling off everything we have bought over the years as ‘comfort’ for our unfulfilling lives in England. I know that we won’t need all the ‘things’ that we have when we get there. To have all that scenery, wildlife and wonderful people within grasp counts for more than any any amount of ‘stuff’.
I know that to move to the Outer Hebrides is the best decision we have made in our lives and I am sure you will find that too.
Best wishes (and envy!)
Les Ellingham
Hi Les,
Nice of you to write on our blog. A bit of late reply but we always love to hear from others that have or are going to make such big moves. Keep us posted and keep checking the blog. Once we are settled, we’ll have more to write.
Cheers,
Hello there,
I came upon your blog by accident and I’m wondering if we could include a short article about your move in our BC Highland Games program this year. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to the Games, but they have been held for the past 15 years in Coquitlam at the Town Center Stadium. We get between 6 and 10 thousand people out and we’re getting bigger and better each year. This year we are bringing out some very traditional entertainment – The Alexander Brothers and also appearing is Spirit of the West’s John Mann and Geoffrey Kelly. I read with great interest about your move, as my family come from Harris and Skye on my Mom’s side and my Dad comes from Glasgow. Both my brother and I were born in Glasgow and have been brought up here in Vancouver immersed in pipebands and highland dancing. Anyway, I thought it would be of interest to many at the Games, to read about your move and your thoughts so far on living in Scotland. Would you mind writing us a little article? That would be really great! Hope all is going well. Slainte! Aileen p.s. check out our website bchighlandgames.com
Hi Joanne! Vanessa sent me a link to your blog. We found each other again on facebook. What an exciting change for you. Your little boy is so cute. I have a little girl named Lily, born June 23rd, 2006. You guys look very happy. Send me an email if you want to catch up. If you have time! Must be very busy. Sandra