Gerard, Maggi and their children Teague and Sorcha

In 1992 Maggi met Gerard whilst travelling as a client on an Explore Worldwide Tour (www.exploreworldwide.com) to Turkey (hence all the Explore Brochures in the front Hotel lounge) - Gerard was the Tour Leader. Of course no fraternisation took place between client and Tour Leader!

In the winter of 92/93 Gerard studied Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala (one of his favourite countries) and Maggi accepted his invitation to spend Christmas with him. Consequently Maggi decided to leave the BBC and become a Tour Leader working for the Imaginative Traveller (www.imaginative-traveller.com) in Turkey 1993.

Meanwhile Gerard went off to lead tours in the mountains of Southern Spain - Andalucia. After yet another long distance telephone call from Spain to Turkey Gerard proposed marriage.

For Maggi the wedding took place horizontally as she badly injured her back one week prior to the important date. Thankfully her back is now back to normal.

From 1995 to January 1998 they lived in London (Teddington & then Sunbury) - with Maggi returning to the BBC, and Gerard joining Explore Worldwide Head Office in the Marketing Department, Aldershot, Hampshire.

The Roseleigh was built in 1870 and has had only four other owners. The previous proprietors operated the Roseleigh for more than 26 years.

In January 1998, we (Gerard, Maggi, and Teague our son) bought the Roseleigh. Meanwhile Gerard continues to lead tours (in low season) on behalf of Bales Worldwide www.balesworldwide.co.uk - for those wishing to join Gerard on one of his tours "click here"' for his list of up-coming tours.

GERARD HEELAN
Born 29th January 1961, Cork, Ireland.

Hobbies/Interests - Walking, rugby, chess, theatre, world music, travel, fitness training. Prior to working in the Explore Office Gerard worked full-time as a Tour Leader for 6 years overseas - living in Turkey, India, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Spain, Guatemala.

Whilst in the Explore office he went on research trips to Peru (the Inca Trail), China/Pakistan (The Silk Road), Vietnam & Cambodia. When not researching tours he worked in the Marketing Department on behalf of Explore in the UK, Ireland Holland, and Canada.

He has also led tours in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Patagonia, Cuba, Hawaii, USA, Syria, Jordan, Tanzania & Zanzibar, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, China and North Korea.

Prior to entering the world of Adventure Travel, Gerard's other jobs have included being - an Economics Teacher (A & O Levels); an HGV 1 Driver for Marks & Spencer; a Croupier in a casino dealing American Roulette; a London Bus Driver for one year on the 88, 27, & 73 from Shepherds Bush Depot.

MAGGI HEELAN (nee CRITTALL)
Born 21st July 1956 - Braintree Essex

Hobbies/interests - yoga, arts & crafts, theatre, cooking , fitness training, discovering tearooms, walking and the outdoors.

Maggi was an Essex girl but moved to Yorkshire at the age of 4 and considers herself an adopted Yorkshire-woman.

Following schooling at the Bar Convent in York (where she later married Gerard) she had a series of secretarial jobs with employers such as the University of York, Barclays Bank and Portakabin.

Then Maggi started her 10+ year association with the BBC. She was with BBC Radio York when it started up as a secretary and in charge of promotions and listener trips. In 1987 she transferred to Leeds to start her Personnel career. When the BBC's Regions reorganised she moved to Manchester and one fateful day in 1993 organised a holiday to Turkey with her friend and met her husband Gerard.

Following a redundancy offer (which she snapped up) Maggi worked in Turkey as a Tour Leader for one year and then returned to England to marry Gerard.

The BBC lured once more and she worked as a Personnel Officer with BBC News in London. The impending birth of their first child made Gerard and Maggi reflect on their desire to run their own business and spend more time with their children. Then three years later, and pregnant with their second child, they moved into the Roseleigh.

Teague and Sorcha

TEAGUE HEELAN
Born 12th August 1995, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey - hobbies horse riding / swimming / Ju Jitsu/ rugby / golf /playing soldiers / and playing far too much Playstation 2.

SORCHA HEELAN
Born 4th August 1998, Buxton, Derbyshire - hobbies swimming / horse riding / Ju Jitsu / screaming / smiling cutely / bullying Teague (and her parents).