Glaswegian hospitality

On Monday, I went up to Glasgow for a number of site visits.
I had been looking forward to this all week - and had somehow managed to forget about the fact that I had to get on a plane first... Until I woke up in the middle of the night, suddenly doubting my own sanity: WHY did I agree to FLY to Glasgow and even worse to Hong Kong in a few weeks??? It certainly didn't help when the pilot announced on take off that turbulence were quite likely due to the heavy wind up north... And he was right. It was one of the more bumpy flights and probably the bumpiest landing I've ever experienced. But hey, I survived and even managed to get on the plane back to London. And the flight was pretty crap again....

The weather remained strange all day long: from one minute to the next sunshine gave way to heavy rain, then some snow and then hail and in between a bit of dry and sunny weather. But other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day! I had been to Glasgow just once before, several years ago. I was looked after very well all day long and got to see these great venues:

• The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC)
• The Glasgow Science Centre
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
• The Merchant Square
• The Old Fruit Market
• The Corinthian Club

While Edinburgh is probably still the more popular option in Scotland, I would definitely recommend a visit of Glasgow. And once you are there, make the most of the beautiful surroundings - the coast and the lakes and the mountains.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos. So, you will have to go and see for yourselves!

Strictly no under 18s

Will this be my ruin?

Next to the estate agent round the corner from the flat, they are preparing to open a bookies.
I like gambling. I blame my Chinese genes. Sanity generally prevails though. I will pass the bookmakers every day to and from work. Let's hope I'll stay strong.

I am also a little worried what kind of 'audience' it will attract. The clientele will quite possibly be sufficiently deterrent...

Gus is looking after me

 

This beautiful portrait of Gus Poyet, which I got as a Christmas present, has found a place in my bedroom. Very comforting to know that Gus is watching over me in my sleep! :-)

Just a little creepy - I look a little dead...

Welcome to the 21st century

A few weeks ago, I finally got myself a smartphone. Primarily, so I can access the internet when I am on the go. Given that I usually sit in front of the PC all day long at work and also having internet at home, this isn't really necessary but there you go.

I went for the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 and it's taken me a few days (including consulting google) to figure out how it works. This was particularly annoying on the first morning, when I couldn't work out how to switch off the alarm... Or when I couldn't answer a call... Both by the way are done in the same way: by sliding the icons across the screen - instead of tapping on them wildly and increasingly aggressively...

I am most excited though about the cover I got on ebay :-)

In pink of course!

Don't trust google if you want to get a cocktail

I always moan about people (delegates/speakers) who contact us to find out how to get to places. GOOGLE IT! It really isn't that hard! Or so I thought.

I went to 140 Park Lane Restaurant and Bar the other day. It's on Park Lane. And I appreciate that with a bit of common sense, one would assume that it is at 140 Park Lane. I had printed my google map and followed it - to the other end of Park Lane. I was a little surprised that numbers were counting down... but then google has never let me down before.

I eventually figured it out and was 15 minutes late (I have no time for people being late...). Service was a little slow but very friendly and the cocktails were delicious! The place is at the end of Oxford Street, just round the corner from Marble Arch and opposite Hyde Park.

I had the Zeal Raspberry

• Fresh mint, lime, ginger and raspberry crushed and shaken with lychee and pomegranate juice, lychee liqueur and Absolut Raspberry, served over crushed ice

and a Raspberry & Apple Mojito

• Lime, mint, raspberries and brown sugar muddled, blended with green apple puree, Bacardi Golden rum, topped with soda

Let her go

Only just discovered this British band on this blog: Passenger

A fishy evening

After a reception at Madam Tussaud's last year, Merlin Events invited to an evening at the Sea Life Aquarium, near the London Eye on Tuesday. Sparkling wine, canapes and lots of seafood (as well as mac'n cheese). And topless, glittery male waiters. All very yummy indeed!

I had never been to the aquarium and I am hoping that we didn't actually get to see everything there is to see. Because if we did, it was a little bit disappointing. As an events venue, it's clearly something different. But I am not sure I would organize one of our events there - not least given the high costs. You can also probably find an aquarium in most big cities, so it's not typical for London.

We certainly had a nice evening and the food was very nice!

a little shy

slightly odd looking

the sharks were swimming past too fast to capture them

lovely colour!