Charles Monk - family intro

Hi Monks etc

This is Charles [Charlie] Monk, eldest son of James and Diana. As already pointed out by my sister Catherine in her entry I am: “(b.1952), married to Liz
Children: Oliver (b.1982), Isabelle (b.1985), Phoebe (b.1987)”.

Liz and I are currently on a circuit of the globe for 8 months having decided not to wait until retirement age before we enjoy a bit of freedom and now that all our children have (for the moment) finished their full time education. We left UK at the end of Sept 2009 and have been spending the main part of the time based with Liz’s cousin in Castlemaine, Central Victoria, Australia, where we are now. If you want to see [much] more detail see www.monks-retreat.blogspot.com .

We started the trip with a visit to China where Oliver now has his first architecture job in Shanghai, currently one of the few places in the world where new architects are still needed. He worked there as a student in 2006 And met Shasha, kept up with her after he left, and went back when he qualified last year. Not long after that they decided to get married, 

so we were able to start our sabbatical by celebrating their wedding in the village where Shasha’s parents live. An amazing experience - also described in our blog. (http://monks-retreat.blogspot.com/2009/10/update-wedding-etc.html photos added later at http://monks-retreat.blogspot.com/2009/11/photos-oliver-and-shashas-wedding.html ).

We will be returning to UK via Vancouver amongst other places and are looking forward to meeting up with some of the MacLeod contingent in Salt Spring Island.

Liz and I were previously living near Eastleigh, Hampshire where I am assured I still have a job to go back to in May as a project manager for a Siemens r&d centre, dealing mainly with communications systems and equipment development. Liz was working as a carer in the community, but would like to get back to more artistic or creative activities when we return. We have rented out our house while we are travelling and plan to rent a smaller place nearer to where I work near Romsey when we get back, preferably with more of a community nearby.

Isabelle (left) has just completed an MA in human rights and is now doing internships in London which will hopefully lead to full employment in due course. Phoebe (right) has just completed a degree in Philosophy and working in Wales whilst considering options for the future. It is hard for both the girls to be job seekers just at this time.

We look forward to hearing more about you all in due course.