As many of you might know, Intel offers a benefit unique in its industry, perhaps any industry. That benefit is a sabbatical. Every 7 years of service, Intel grants you an 8 week ‘recharge time’. An 8 week vacation (in addition to your standard 3 or 4 weeks). As explained to me, although there is some disagreement within the employee ranks on this, it is recognition of the stress and strain working in an aggressive technology company like Intel can put you under. It’s recognition that after 7 years, you need time away from work to recharge the batteries and come back ready to bring your best self to work.
We are on track for returning from our assignment in China in June of this year, and given the nature of my chosen trip, I will be taking it shortly after I return. This allows me to both spend time with the kids (Olivia (6), Genevieve (4), and soon to arrive baby #3), before Olivia starts school in the fall, as well as exercise one of my passions (some might call an obsession) – play golf.
The plan as it stands is to spend ~3 weeks in Oregon with Steph and the kids before heading off to Scotland for a month long golf trip. I know what many of you are thinking – you are taking Steph and the kids to Scotland for a month? Now, let’s be clear, that is a trip we cannot afford. I’ll be going by myself. Now many more people are thinking – you are going to Scotland for a month and leaving your wife to deal with a 6 year old, a 4 year old and a 4 month old? Now, let’s be clear…. That’s exactly what I am doing. The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it sounds.
So, a little background is necessary. When Steph and I were both working at Intel, we reached an agreement – our first sabbaticals would be whatever we wanted them to be. Our choice alone, the spouse just went along with it. For Stephanie’s sabbatical she spent ~6 weeks in Italy. She rented a villa used as home base and hosted family and friends and traveled and saw the sights of rural Italy. Admittedly she did this with an 18 month old Olivia, while pregnant with Gigi… but nonetheless, her trip. When we reached this agreement, it was clear that my trip would be to Scotland, the home of golf.
Original plans involved all of us going, which we quickly realized was fiscally near impossible. Then we thought we could get grandmas and friends to watch the girls while Steph headed over for a week to 10 days of my time there, maybe hitting Scotland and Ireland. The monkey wrench thrown into this plan was Baby #3. Due in March, Baby #3 makes that plan near impossible. Instead of taking care of a 6 year old and a 4 year old, the volunteer for this suicide mission would be signing up to care for a 6 year old, a 4 year old and a 4 month old.
So, in what can only be described as a gesture of unequalled generosity and caring, Steph has continued to hold true to our original agreement and is letting me continue to plan and execute on the trip to Scotland.
Before Scotland, I hope to be able to accomplish a few things in the early part of my sabbatical. These will be dictated by how well we are adjusting to being a family of 5 and being ‘fresh off the boat’ returning to the US. I would like to spend some time at the cabin (Steph’s family’s cabin at Lake of the Woods). Also, I would like to do some volunteer work – ideally something I can take Olivia with me to do, but another option would be a Habitat for Humanity project. My time is normally so consumed with work and family in the normal course of life that I would like to spend some time dedicated to the service of others. If you have any specific ideas, shoot them my way!
Now, for the ‘trip of a lifetime’ as I am calling it. I cashed in a bunch of airline miles and got a ticket to London, where I’ll catch a regional airline up to Edinburgh. Once on the ground in Edinburgh, I’ll grab my bags, pick up the rental car and head off to Prestwick – the home of the first Open Championship (called the British Open on this side of the pond). This will be the start of what will equate to 27 rounds of golf in 31 days.
One of my old Fraternity brothers (Ryan Svenson) will be joining me in for the first 10 days or so, so that will be nice for a couple of reasons. The primary reason is, having been in China for the last 2 years, I miss my friends greatly. It will be great to have time to catch up with him on what’s been going on in his life. It will also be great to have a fellow golf addict along to share the trip with.
Then the second week of August the next group of guys comes in. The same day I drop Ryan off at the airport in Edinburgh, I’ll be picking up a minivan along with 3 other friends, forming a four ball (known as foursome here in the States) for a week in St. Andrews – known widely as ‘the home of golf’.
Then I put the group back on a plane to North America, trade in the minivan and get a small car and head out for the last ~10 days and 2 cities on my own.
I have opted for staying in Bed and Breakfast or Guest House accommodations, as they generally run less than half of the cost of a hotel – and they include full Scottish breakfast (I’ll pass on the Haggis, thank you very much). While no means a cheap trip, I have maximized my ‘approved budget’, with the frequent flier ticket and use of B&B/Guest Houses.
I have included an itinerary of my trip below… If you have reason to be in Scotland this coming summer, let me know… I’ll find a way to accommodate you in my plans and share a pint, if not a meal, if not a round of golf!
Cheers,
Joe
Day Date Activity Sunday 26-Jul PDX -> LHR Monday 27-Jul LHR -> EDI Monday 27-Jul EDI -> Prestwick Tuesday 28-Jul Play Turnberry / Prestwick St. Nicolas / Kilmarnock / Dundonald Wednesday 29-Jul Play Western Gailes Thursday 30-Jul Play Prestwick Friday 31-Jul Drive Prestwick -> St. Andrews Saturday 1-Aug Play St. Andrews Castle Sunday 2-Aug Play Carnoustie Championship Monday 3-Aug Play St. Andrews New Tuesday 4-Aug Play Golf in AM -> Drive to Aberdeen Wednesday 5-Aug Play Royal Abderdeen Thursday 6-Aug Play Cruden Bay Friday 7-Aug Play Murcar Links Saturday 8-Aug Drive to EDI, Drop Ryan, Pick Up Golfers, Drive to St. Andrews Sunday 9-Aug Play The Dukes Monday 10-Aug Play St. Andrews Jubilee Tuesday 11-Aug Play St. Andrews Old Course Wednesday 12-Aug Play Carnoustie Championship Thursday 13-Aug Play Kingsbarns Friday 14-Aug Play St. Andrews New Course Saturday 15-Aug Play St. Andrews Castle Course Sunday 16-Aug Travel to EDI - Drop Off Golfers - Travel to North Berwick Monday 17-Aug Play Dunbar Tuesday 18-Aug Play Muirfield/Glen Golf Club Wednesday 19-Aug Play Gullane No. 1 & No. 2 Thursday 20-Aug Play North Berwick Golf Club Friday 21-Aug Drive to Inverness Saturday 22-Aug Play Brora Sunday 23-Aug Play Nairn Monday 24-Aug Play Royal Dornoch Tuesday 25-Aug Drive to EDI -> Fly Home
Hi Joe. Good to read your postings and look forward to seeing you in St. Andrews in between the golf!
ReplyDeleteThanks John! I ended up moving around the last 2 stops... instead of North Berwick then Inverness, I am rearranging the times and stays to end in North Berwick, as it's only about an hour to the airport versus Inverness to EDI which I understand is closer to 3. I have most of the tee times moved and am waiting to hear from the B&B/Guest Houses.
ReplyDeleteSee you in August!