My Four Month Round-the-World Sabbatical Begins

On 16 January, 2020, my much anticipated sabbatical finally commenced. After much preparation (visas, inoculations, currency, new passports {yes two - British and Irish - and forever European!}) and planning project visits, I finally set off for Glasgow airport. I left on the dullest of winter days, grateful to be heading to the sun and warmth promised in Thailand. Doubly grateful to miss the rest of the winter and enjoy two summers back to back!

So as I begin this blog (requested by so many of you I could't say no) you might be wondering what this experience is all about. "How does Paul get to have such a jolly?" I've been working for Kinharvie for 30 years now and in September this year I will take over as CEO. As both reward for time served and as prep for the new role, I was offered this amazing opportunity. We recently agreed two new strategic themes for Kinharvie, those being community engagement and young people. So my travels are intended to take me to interesting places where I can bring related ideas back to Scotland. Who knows what this will lead to...

The team at Kinharvie gave me a journal and book at my sending off event. Both were wrapped in the map below. It's an old one that bears little relation to todays world but it's still useful to plot my journey. I get two extra days this year - one because it’s a leap year and another when I cross the international date line On the way from Fiji to LA. What to do with those extra days...

#travel #leadership #tourism