The last couple of days have been interesting. On Tuesday I drove to Redcar for a meeting. Was my first real outing in the freelander. Well, what can I say - it was awesome. Really smooth and pleasurable. Today I caught the train from kings x to Leeds for another meeting. Terrible account planning but worth it I think. The train journey back I managed to nab first class. Not bad at all ...
Location:Wymondley Rd,Hitchin,United Kingdom
Picked up the car today. It's absolutely fantastic. Really, really nice. Here's a pic of it in the showroom..
Location:B462,Aldenham,United Kingdom
Not sure if I've mentioned this before but this weekend I'm due to pick up my new car. I've decided to opt out of the company car scheme as they only allow non 4 x 4 vehicles nowadays. I've bought a Land Rover Freelander XS. Its Matinique Blue with privacy glass and all the usual extras like electric heated seats, leather, etc. Its really, really nice - about a year old but you can't have everything I guess...The Rav has been a great car but I just fancied a change. If anyone is considering a Rac however, please consider it seriously, they're great value for money.
Not sure why I came up with that title...was just trying to find something that was mildly Flemish...
Still in Leiden for this morning heading back to Schipol in an hour or so. This weekend we're heading up to Staffs as it's our engagement party! We reckon there are around 50 people coming so should be pretty good. We're then back down on Sunday as I'm taking my parents to Gatwick. They're off to Cuba again...jammy sods...
Of course the only thing that may scupper this is BA's planned strike. Hopefully there shouldn't be any disruption today but tomorrow will be he'll I should think. Have to say I do agree with Willie Walsh, BA cabin crew do seem to have more peels than most and having flown with BA extensively over the last two years, they're not the friendliest bunch, particularly on long haul. I may well be switching my allegiance to Star Alliance...
...blogged from my iPhone
Today I've been at a conference in The Hague. What a beautiful place! I flew to Schipol and then got picked up and drove to Leiden. Now that was a really nice city. We had a wander round after the conference and it really is a nice place. Anyway, back to The Hague...from Leiden you pas through Wassenau and then you're there basically. Wassenau is the diplomatic area and there are some really really nice houses in that town!
We ate back in Leiden at a place called La Bota (I think). It was a typical Dutch bar - old, dark and loud. I had steak and I must admit it wasn't bad. I'm now back in the hotel which is a Van der Valk hotel. Recently refurbished, it's pretty much spot on...
Back in Heathrow again. Off to Amsterdam today and then on to the Hague for a lecture. Hopefully I'll be back on schedule tomorrow although with the BA strike there's bound to be some disruption I guess. This weekend we're up in Staffs for our engagement party!
Location:Whittle Rd,Hillingdon,United Kingdom
Today we are going out for lunch as it's Mothers Day. We've got the parents coming down and a table booked for lunch. We're going to eat in The Lamb Inn in Shipton. We've been there before a few months ago and it was an excellent meal.
Location:Shilton,United Kingdom
Last night we did a Come Dine With Me experience with some friends. The idea is that you go to one persons house for starters, another for main and another for dessert. We had the mains to do and we (SJ) cokes rack of lamb. It was beautiful! The starters were scallops and the dessert was a trifle. All in all it was an excellent evening and one which we will repeat.
...blogged from my iPhone
Location:B462,Aldenham,United Kingdom
Finally! The week is finished...
8 presentations, 3 countries, 3 hotels, countless lunches and dinners...
I'm absolutely knackered - this week has really taken it's toll. I'm currently in the Menzies lounge in Prague airport. Pretty basic really but it's free. Really looking forward to going home!
Location:Aviatická,Prague,Czech Republic
We went out around Prague last night and eventually ended up in an Indian. Was very good. Prague is a beautiful city, especially at night. It was really cold though and they're expecting snow. I leave tonight. Be glad to get back to the UK and see my....fiancée! (and the dogs)...
Location:Přístavní,Prague,Czech Republic
So now we're in Prague or Praha as the locals say. It's pretty cold with quite a bit of snow around. We're off out to Ceska refinery in 10 minutes or so and then back to the hotel for the afternoon (I think). The hotel is not bad - huge room but sparse. Also it's like a huge advert for IKEA. Everything is for there - cutlery, crockery, beds, cupboards...everything ...quite weird really.
Location:Přístavní,Prague,Czech Republic
Drove over to Brno yesterday. It's a nice drive. I think a tour round Eastern Europe would make a decent holiday. You could do a wander round the wineries etc. Have to think about that...
Anyway, we're staying at The Park Hotel. Not bad actually. Last night we ate at The Best Western's restaurant in town and had a typical Czech meal. I had Paté, followed by soup, then Schnitzel. The toilets were the strangest I'd ever been in - they had an electronic sliding internal door. Was just like something from Star Trek.
Location:Veslařská,Brno,Czech Republic
Spent the last night in a place just outside Sala in the Slovakian Republic. We ate at the local restaurant - I had Pancakes of Sala. Was very nice, sort of a savoury roll. The hotel (Pension) was OK but a bit too much like The Shining if you ask me...
Location:Veslařská,Brno,Czech Republic
Made it back to the UK. Just on train to Radlett. Wasn't a bad trip - nice hotel I must say...
Conference itself was OK but I think could have been more interesting with some better topics. Still, back in to work tomorrow - Eastern Europe next week.
...blogged from my iPhone
Location:Barnet,United Kingdom
Location:Flughafenstraße,Düsseldorf,Germany
It's back to Heathrow today as I'm off to Dusseldorf for a couple of days. I've got a couple of trips coming up soon - this one and then Prague next week followed by Netherlands week after that. I'm not doing as much travelling this year as yet, however I expect it's going to increase again going through the year.
Location:St Albans Rd,Watford,United Kingdom
