From The Bottom Up

This is the story of a man who, following traumatic bereavement , with mounting debts and an ever increasing drink problem, decides that his only solution is to leave home and start a new life in a different country.Will’s only asset is his house, he doesn’t want to sell this and consequently leave his children with nothing so he moves away and rents out his home. His plan is to start over again. With very little money and very few possessions he heads off. He arrives in Dublin and is almost immediately shown kindness by a young family which he has not met before. This act of kindness is an inspiration to him and although he is still virtually destitute, his spirits are buoyed and he heads off to find help. Our character is a Protestant from Belfast. He is befriended and given shelter, accommodation and employment by an order of Nuns who live near Dublin. The Nuns give him a home, and become his extended family. He is given work as a “live In” handy man. His dignity and self-esteem begin to return. Later he will find friendship and love.Whilst on an errand for the convent, Will uses his dormant first aid skills and saves the life of a man who has collapsed on the street. This is a pivotal point in Will’s life. The man, when he is fully recovered, finds Will and gives him a job and a further purpose in life. He continues to live at the convent.Will becomes well respected in his new community and as a result he is tasked with the responsibility of managing a church funded project in South America. He travels half way around the world. Firstly to Venezuela and then, as he funds his passage home, he works as a chef on board a container ship. He travels to South Africa, Hong Kong and finally to Hull, England before returning home to his new love and to his family. His adventure takes him two years. This book is the story of the first year.The story is told in the Vernacular. It is not a travel diary nor is it an Autobiography. The story is simple, humorous, tearful and hopefully inspirational. Contains occasional, gratuitous strong language.