Bat out of Hell� err�Feldkirchen

8.30 local time. For those of you who were disappointed to learn that Michael Schumacher is not returning to the race-scene, I have good news!

I can confirm that after extensive facial plastic surgery and an enforced two-stone weight gain, he is now driving a taxi from Feldkirchen to Munich Airport.

Overtaking on hairpin bends, straightening out any curve in the road network and regularly exceeding the speed limit (120kph in a 70 zone was a regular thing) ensured that I got to the airport in record time experiencing a mix of exhilaration and fright throughout. The only time I thought he wasn't Schumacher was when he stopped to point out a beautiful castle along the route!

If he's the pilot, then I will be nervous!!! - can't wait to get home.

The Bauer Hotel, Feldkirchen, Munich � Day 2

I'm pretty impressed with this hotel. After a luke-warm reception when I checked in last night, service levels have exploded into 100% total customer focus! Our allocated staff member � Angela � for my two day event here has been a whirlwind of efficiency and she's been consistently one step two steps ahead of me all day � perfect!

The food has been excellent both in quality and and quantity, from breakfast right through to our evening meal.

I didn't get to bed until nearly 11pm, but it was worth chatting with the delegates 'out-of-uniform' and more especially my client, who has confirmed another 4 days of work plus a future introduction to her 'opposite number' in another part of the client's empire.

A great day!!

Germany calling�

Well, here I am at the Bauer Hotel and Gastof in Munich � a rather sweet little hotel about 20 minutes from the airport. I'm here for three-and-a-bit days for one of my clients.

It's about 21 degrees at home but they seem to be having a mini heat-wave here � phew! it's 3.45 in the afternoon and it must be close to 30 degrees outside.

�and I've just discovered that the room doesn't have any form of central heating!!

Manchester again

Another trip to Manchester for one of my clients. Wet and foggy this time!

I'm on the 11th floor of the hotel - I seem to be moving UP the floors on each visit!

Manchester

I travelled up to Manchester today for work with a client tomorrow. I met up with Dave B who was on his way to a friend in Leicester. We had a good lunch in Pizza Express and then sat outside Café Nero in Piccadilly Gardens and put the world-to-rights! What a great time. Weather was nice too! I was back to the hotel by 3.30 to do some prep for tomorrow.

Day in Manchester

I'm here in Manchester today for work with a client tomorrow.

Top floor of the Ramada!

Homeward Bound...

Well, I'm heading home today, although the day didn't get off to the best of starts!

Firstly, I promised myself that I'd get an early night in as I knew I needed to be up at 3am for the taxi for the airport. Having duly set the alarm after getting in at 11.30pm (!!!) last night, I plugged in my phone for recharging and hit the pillow.

In what seemed like 2 seconds later, I was wide-awake and looking at the time, I saw it was 3.40 am. So..the alarm didn't go off. I later discovered that I'd set the alarm for 3pm - bugger!

I had 20 minutes to get ready, get packed and check out!! Somehow I managed it..but goodness knows how! Add to that, that my back was aching like mad and was the worst it's been for ages, didn't help the situation. Mr. Grumpy lives!!

Totally wrecked, we headed for the airport, all of us - Barrie, John and me - strangely silent and all looking shattered. That's just about the time when I realised that turning the power off in the room obviously cuts the power to all the electrical sockets...so my phone hadn't charged overnight and was almost dead (I know the feeling).

Still, at least my plane was on time - unlike John's that was delayed for an hour. We said our good-byes and I boarded the plane to Schiphol with Dolf, one of the other delegates. A smooooth flight and after a long walk to Gate D46 I staggered through Security. They wanted the bag completely emptied as some things looked 'suspicious'. It turned out to be a combination of power-leads, blu-tac and an ipod that was causing them distress.

Having settled down at the Gate, we were all promptly turned out because we were too early for our flight and they needed to lock-up. 8.35 local time - Perched on the sill off the travelator, I wrote this! I think I've heard the robotic voice of 'Mind the step' on the travelator 432 times now!

So, all being well, the plane will be on time and I'll be home around 11 UK time.

All-in-all, a good week business-wise in Gothenberg, but I need to decline the late nights more succesfully...and pace myself with the beers!

God, I feel rough this morning!!! Can't wait to get home to see Ann and the cats and get some sleep!!!

A Trip round Gothenborg

The Workshop finished on time so Barrie took us on a trip round Gothenborg by boat. Afterwards we headed for a few bars, but I ducked out at around 6.45 to recover!!! Th epicture on the left is of the Opera House.

It's been a gorgeous day, weather-wise. It's so hot!!!

We're out again at 7.30 for a meal....

Gothenberg again

I'm spending more-or-less the whole week here working with Barrie C and John M.

Cor! What a scorcher!! looks like the weather is going to be VERY HOT THIS WEEK.

Swedish Blog

I've been in Sweden most of this week. I stayed at the snappily titled 'Hotel Quality 11' and it was grat in all respects. Nice view from the restaurant window too!!

Social Blog

Today, was a day for socialising. I took the train to London with Ann.

Had a coffee or three with Malcolm in Marylebone and then met Keith (from the OCA) for lunch at 'Browns' in Shad Thames. What a view of Tower Bridge!

I then met up with June, Angela, Carey and Rick at EV's for our normal 'get together. Got the 8.30 pm train and was indoirs by 9.40. Early-ish to bed then as I've got a busy day tomorrow.

'Up North...'

I had to visit a client in Bradford today, so afterwards I caught up with Dave B for a coffee at Starbucks just off of junction 27 of the M62.

Quite a drive - but worth it on both counts!

Crappy weather though - rain, fog and -1 degrees C when I left at 4.30 am this morning!!!

Wilmslow Blog

Took a drive up to Wilmslow today to meet two of my clients. We went out for lunch at 'Felicini', a rather nice Italian Reastaurant in the high street. For a map go HERE. Their website is HERE