A first look at The Shard
Our visit to The Shard was undoubtedly the highlight of the WTM week. We joined about 15 other journalists on the morning of 7th November for a visit to the viewing gallery on the 69th floor. Whisked up 244 metres in just 30 seconds by high-speed lifts, we stepped out to enjoy the most incredible views of London. The city looked stunning in the autumn sunshine, and despite a slight haze to the south, the 360° views were out of this world. We were unable to visit the highest accessible point on level 72, as it was still being finished. It will enable guests to stand in the open air, overlooking the city and surrounded by the building’s giant shards of glass that disappear into the sky. The stunning glass building was designed by architect Renzo Piano as the...
Read MoreWTM 2012 and a sting in the tail!
As well as being Bonfire Night, the 5th November was the first day of World Travel Market 2012. It was also the tenth year WTM has been held at Excel and I’ve attended most years, usually driving around the M25 and parking free in the adjoining car park. So, we (Alec attended this year) were dismayed to find a £80 parking fine notice stuck on the windscreen when we returned our car in the evening. I called the organiser’s office only to be curtly told we should have parked in the Purple section, not the Orange. Oh, for the days when WTM badges were posted out with useful maps and parking information. I’d made few appointments so I could spend the maximum time browsing the stands especially those in the Asia Pacific section – gathering information for my first...
Read MoreAutumn in Spain
We’re back in Spain for a too short week of catching up on the ‘after summer chores’ around the villa, gardening and hopefully soaking up some late autumn sun. It was raining heavily when we crept out of the house at the ghastly time of 2.30am for our early morning flight from Gatwick. With all the changes at the airport, access to the North Terminal is more difficult than ever. Gone are the days of being dropped off outside Departures with an easy walk to the check in desks – now, it’s a marathon sprint in all weathers. And inside the airport, it’s another long walk to across the Gatwick airbridge if your flight departs from the Pier 6 satellite building , which most easyJet flights to Alicante do! Apparently, the 198m air passenger bridge is the largest in...
Read MoreNorthward bound
Here we are, back in Pau in the Pyrenees on our journey back to the UK after six weeks in Spain. Where did those weeks go? And what an amazing and memorable summer! Tomorrow we have our long drive up to Rouen and after that Calais and home. We worked hard on our last day in Javea, cleaning and tidying the villa, making up beds and so on. I almost melted in the heat but it was utter bliss being able to cool off in the pool. I’ll really miss my daily and nightly dips when we’re back home. The water temperature is just perfect now but will be too cold for swimming when we return in the autumn. It was finally goodbye Javea at around 7.30pm on Saturday, 11th August. Alec had wanted to get away at least...
Read MoreSummer arrives
Our eventful summer began on the first day of July with the start of our road trip to Javea in southern Spain. We’re planning to stay six weeks – our longest ever visit. We now have satellite broadband, so I’ll be working from Spain writing the last 3,000 words of my Mintel report on Asian tourism. It was raining heavily as we waited to board P&O’s Pride of Canterbury, but once we set sail the weather improved. By the time the French coastline came into view, the skies were blue and and sun had reappeared. We succumbed to the temptations of the ship’s duty free shop, purchasing a case of our favourite New Zealand Sauvignon at an irresistible price. That’s the advantage of driving over flying of course – taking as much baggage as will fit in the car....
Read MoreHong Kong
Just landed at Hong Kong International Airport in a huge rainstorm. We were not allowed to disembark immediately, as with the storm directly overhead, it was too dangerous to connect the airbridge. Eventually we were allowed off and had to go through security to have our hand luggage screened before being allowed airside again. I was impressed that the X-Ray picked up a tiny aerosol of Rescue Remedy in one of the inner pockets of my handbag, which I’d forgotten. I’m currently in transit on my way home from Sydney and writing this in the departure lounge alongside the gate. Free Wi Fi is available throughout the airport, which is great for writing a quick blog or checking emails. There’s just been an announcement that the lightening has knocked out some of the airport systems and our flight back...
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