London Baby

Going Alone

The previous year I didn't make it further than London, but this time I was determined. I had already finished the 1st year of my PhD and saved some money from invigilation. I was going alone. My monthly ticket cost 175 pounds and I could travel anywhere in Europe. Anywhere....

Dad's Retirement

On August 16th 1991 my dad turned 58 and returned from Holidays in Kerry. He had news, Beecham of Ireland, then SmithKline-Beecham and now GSK was closing its manufacturing facility on the Long Mile Road. The factory was open from the 1950s and this was were my mother and father met, my sister did work experience and I worked almost every summer from 1985 until my graduation doing sometimes 12 hour shifts to fund my education. Now my dad was forced into early retirement and I was sworn to secrecy. I had an uncle, neighbours and friends who would all be touched by this move. Mam and dad brough me to Dublin docks and saw me off on the boat to Holyhead on the 17th of August. I stayed in my aunt's house in Crouch end and developed a taste for Marmite while under the influence! I had a couple of days in London where I visited its museums and also my friends sister, who was later to return to Ireland to raise a family. I had two days to prepare for this epic journey, and I was very nervous indeed

#london #interrail #Uk #GSK #lucozade