Parents Gap Year

Monsoon weather is a surprise in January for tropical Sri Lanka! Ann-Marie is guided around a Kandy university campus, by the arts dean Dr. Prabath Ekanayake, who shares what university life is like there. Rod joins the barefoot pilgrims taking floral offerings to the Temple of the Tooth relic, while son Sam is reunited with his parents from Australia, accompanied by his USA solo traveller friend Izzy. We also travel with newly trained teacher Tom living in Melbourne, holidaying with his mum Jackie, from Yorkshire. Contributors: Dr. Prabath Ekanayake - University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Sam McCormack Gray, Isabella Merlano (Izzy), Tom Dickens, Jackie Dickens. Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray We want to hear from you – email; [email protected], Instagram; @parentsgapyear Follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode and please like and share it – thank you. Producer/Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Special thanks to Bath Spa University, Bath, UK.

Ann-Marie and Rod visit the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time and interview Gyles Brandreth, celebrated UK broadcaster and 'Rosebud' podcast host, with his producer Harriet Jaine. While staying with Glaswegian friend Laura and hubby Patrick, they also sample some comedy madness at the fringe. In Glasgow, Laura guides Ann-Marie and Rod around The Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies, while Patrick extols the virtues of his ‘swollen lomonds’ in Loch Lomond. Contributors: Laura Howard Lees, Patrick Howard Lees, John Hut – boat skipper Falkirk Wheel, Ronald Opatich, Gloria Rosen, Tammy Frost-Cook, James Lyon, Stuart Nixon, Gyles Brandreth and Harriet Jaine. Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray We want to hear from you – email; [email protected], Instagram; @parentsgapyear Follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode and please like and share it – thank you. Producer/Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Special thanks to Bath Spa University, Bath, UK.

This travel podcast series follows filmmaker Ann-Marie McCormack and her photographer husband Rod Gray, on their many trips abroad, as they travel across the world, meeting incredible, diverse people of all cultures, sharing their stories. Having taken a year out on a ‘trip of a lifetime’ and now returned to work, Ann-Marie and Rod are taking shorter, more manageable trips, while their sons travel themselves. In this open and honest travelogue series, we hear truly inspiring, human and often humorous life experiences along the way. Listen to our previous travel adventures in seasons 1 & 2 and in season 3, travel inspiration is guaranteed again! Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray We want to hear from you – email; [email protected], Instagram; @parentsgapyear Follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode and please like and share – thank you. Producer/Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Special thanks to Bath Spa University, Bath, UK.

Japan is Ann-Marie and Rod’s last stop, before returning to the UK to pick up their much missed son Max from uni, before Ann-Marie’s big birthday bash. In Tokyo, they experience the wonders of a digital arts exhibition, share an extravagant night out with Ann-Marie’s school friend Helen and her generous husband Hiro, sample the surprising female jet-settings of the Japanese toilet and the onsen hot springs in a traditional hotel in Ito. In Kyoto, Ann-Marie and Rod sample the exquisite food and architecture of the Gion district, famous for its geishas, temples and samurai warriors. And ahead of going home, Ann-Marie talks to solo traveller Rosie, about what it’s like to return to the UK after seven months of travelling! Contributors: Helen Butler, Hiro Hiraiwa, Rosie Hemming, Max McCormack Gray, Carmel O’Doherty, Betty Kennedy, Ann McCormack, Pamela McCormack, Izzy Gibbs, Sophie De Payronnet. Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray

Ann-Marie and Rod face the madness of Manilla airport, where Ann-Marie’s sister Pam misses her connecting flight in a storm. Together they experience the vibrant nightlife and sunsets of El Nido and Rod shipwreck dives for the first time in Coron. But as they relax in the hot springs, Ann-Marie and Rod hear their beloved cat is very ill! In Oslob, they swim with enormous whale sharks and their guide Genil shares her own story of losing three family members during Covid. In Maolboal, Pam finds majestic turtles and they all share fun lake kayaking, swimming through the most awesome underwater reefs and the deepest clearest water between sheer granite cliffs. Contributors: Pamela McCormack, Sherman Monterde - snorkel boat guide, Genil P. Berggren - whale shark guide. Hosts: Ann-Marie McCormack, Rod Gray Music: Serge Quadrado (latin-jazz-loop-2), Szegvari (rotpb-latin-lunches-_-minimal-house-latin) Editor: Ann-Marie McCormack Sound Mix: Gary McIntyre Graphic: Rod Gray