Following an early career as a Rufty Tufty Outdoor Pursuits Instructor, Jay lived out of a backpack for 6 years travelling and getting by as a roofer, busker, medical guinea-pig, labourer, and environmental educator as well as building straw bale and tyre houses. In 1998 he settled in Edinburgh to undertake a Community Education Degree and whilst living afloat on the canal at Ratho he envisioned Re-Union Canal Boats which he then founded with his pal Sam. It is now a thriving social enterprise: http://www.re-union.org.uk/.