Good news

[sharikkamur]

I've finally managed to sort out the travel arrangements for my sabbatical, and can now announce that I will be departing Keflavík at 08h00 on Saturday July 17th, landing at Manchester at approximately 11h30.

:)

Comments

[luis_mw]

So, just in case, we should dump a sack of Immodium in the nearest volcano?

[sharikkamur]

I expect the local volcano to go off on July 16th. :)

[frandowdsofa]

Hurrah hurrah !!! we shall not be able to meet and greet you in the style you deserve, as we shall be at the Comic thingy at Earl's Court giving books away. So take this as a LARGE BANNER FROM PEOPLE IN SILLY COSTUMES BLOWING VUVUZELAS

[sharikkamur]

Thank you! I'm a little concerned that I'll arrive at Manchester and collapse in a puddle of relieved tears as soon as I pass passport control, but at least I'll be back.

[qidane]

Why is this a sabbatical? Have I missed something?

[hobbitomm]

It's where a bunch of witches go abroad to have their meeting...

... I'll get my coat.

[sharikkamur]

It's complicated. :)

When the university tore up our contracts, made us redundant and then offered us inferior contracts at short notice instead, one of the concessions I did manage to win was that we all got a guaranteed six month sabbatical. Everyone else has taken theirs but as "someone" had to cover the teaching for others going on sabbatical I haven't had a chance to take mine until now. The result is that I'm officially on sabbatical until my contract runs out at the end of the year - as far as the university is concerned I simply won't return after the sabbatical ends.

I know that's a rather strange setup, but it makes life easier for me now so I'm not going to complain. It also helps a lot with the funding of the PGCE as I'll have a real (if not brilliant) salary that I can stretch to cover my study time.