Archive (1372 life histories found)

We joined Mulanje Mountain Club and gradually explored parts of this great mountain. There were 7 or 8 recognised climbing paths. For a day trip we drove to the Likhubula gorge, and then did the two and a half hour climb to Chambe plateau. As we…

By September 1984 we had our bags packed and were on the road again. I had a number of promising interviews but offers of employment were slow in coming. At one stage the focus was on Western Samoa. When it was hammered by a storm a few months later…

In September we moved to Golders Green, which is noted for its large Jewish population. We were within walking distance of Hampstead Heath, which is one of the highest points in London and a wonderful place for long walks and fresh air. Nearby was a…

We decided to accept the ODA study grant. The University of London accepted me for a place on a Masters Degree course at Chelsea College, which later became part of King's College. I attended lectures in a building in Stamford Bridge, which is…

We were happy in Swaziland. Work and golf were going very well for both of us. I may have made the mistake of thinking that I was in some way indispensable, and I definitely thought that my contract would be renewed. This all changed when I received…

My first month in Swaziland was spent in The Tavern Hotel in the capital Mbabane, in the company of 14 other expatriates, all on ODA contracts. We were all waiting for the Housing Department to come up with an offer of accommodation. One morning…

By January 1978 I had an ODA contract lined up for a teaching post in Swaziland. As this was my first contract directly with ODA I was asked to go on a preparation/ orientation course before travelling to Swaziland. This resulted in me spending a…

In January 1977 we traded our house in Rochfortbridge for a house in Dublin. This proved to be a very advantageous move. The Dublin house was a large, basically sound building, in need of a large dose of hard work which included cleaning, painting,…

We returned to Ireland in July 1976 by ferry from Holyhead. It amazes me now when I think of how small that ferry was. I remember standing on deck, very sea - sick, looking down at the cargo of 10 or 12 cars. From front to rear seemed to be a very…

As the Institute was affiliated to the University of Oxford I graduated with an Advanced Certificate in Education issued by the University. The importance of this qualification for me emerged seven years later when it enabled me to get a place on a…