Biography of Brent Floyd - Continued     

In 1975 I took voluntary redundancy at Thomson Holidays because they needed fewer staff, as they were placing most of their systems onto computers.  I used the money to buy a sailing sloop (19 foot Lysander).  It was a twin bilge, gunter rigged boat, which I named "Maria Rita".  In 1977, an American guy named David Potter and I sailed and motored this boat, across the English Channel and through the French canals, eventually reaching Cannes, South of France.  In 1978 I became aquainted with my first personal computer.  I had already met the mainframe monsters (punch cards for input & output) at University and wanted nothing to do with them.  However, this personal computer was different - it played a basic game of tennis, on a screen.  In 1980, I studied to become a computer programmer and afterwards started working as a Computing Technician.    

                                

Over the following years I gained a Honours Degree in Computing, a Masters Degree in Computing, a Masters Degree in Applied eLearning and a Masters Degree in Education.  During 1980-81 I was trained and worked as a Special Constable (Part-time Policeman), serving the Southwark Community, in London. Unfortunately, I had to give it up due to a new job requiring evening work.  Between 1979 and 1982 I spent every Summer moving my boat "Maria Rita" back to England.  This involved a series of people (Cafe, Christine and Derek) and lots of adventures and mishaps, as we sailed and motored through the South of France, Canal Du Midi, Biscay, Channel Islands and England.  In 1983 I came across a 24 foot Eventide (sailing boat) that was rotting away in a boat yard and after a brief haggle obtained her for £250.  It took a further seven years before she (renamed "Melissa") was renovated and sea-worthy.  
  
                                                    

I started teaching as a part-time, Computing Lecturer in 1984.  I followed this a year later by becoming a full-time Lecturer, eventually became Head of Computing at Palmer's College, Essex, in 1995.  In 1992 I crossed the English Channel in Melissa (initially starting the journey with my friends: Derek and Henry - followed by Melly) and headed towards Valencia, in Spain.
In 1993 I was sworn in as a British Magistrate and served the Medway community, in this capacity, until we moved to the Isle of Man, in 1998.  The Isle of Man has its own magistrate system and doesn't accept British Magistrates.  I worked as a Computer Lecturer at the Isle of Man College.  Presently, I work as a Computing Lecturer, in a third level Institute of Technology in Ireland.  My interests include chess.  I have had some minor successes.  As you have already realised I am also interested in sailing.  It was in 1989, that our eyes met across a crowded bar and little did I know that a red haired Galway girl was about to enter my life.  Now that's another story.