Back on the road again

We set off at silly o'clock this morning (5am) but the journey has been fairly smooth and uneventful.

I had a couple of hours after checking in to the hotel to myself, so I've bought some Swedish coffee to replenish our supplies.

Dinner together with the group before tomorrow's meeting. It's been nice to catch up with a few people and to hear encouraging feedback about how we're working and cooperating with our colleagues. It's certainly not all my doing, but I know I've influenced it and that feels good.

Back in Berlin

... this time for work.

I'm here to witness a printing trial, then I fly back to Newcastle on Thursday ready for our hols!

Blessings:
- a slightly relaxed start to the day. I finished both sets of packing, checked emails and did most of the washing up.
- traffic was fine on the motorway and the patches of heavy rain were mostly short.
- I've almost got my bearings in Berlin now so didn't get lost on the way to the hotel.
- I met with my colleague and customer for a tasty meal

...time for sleep!

Letting the train take the strain

I'm back on the move again - this time to Bristol for a printing trial. If all goes well I'll be home again late tomorrow, but there's a chance I'll need to break my journey if I miss the last train home.

I do enjoy travelling by train though (and it doesn't hurt to be able to sit in 1st class). Some of today's highlights:
- a cup of tea and a yummy banoffee fondant fancy within 5 minutes of sitting down
- comfortable seats with wi-fi
- sunshine and the British countryside outside
- I waved back at a small boy and his mum greeting the trains at the end of the platform
- lots of time for knitting: the moebius scarf is well on the way, especially after a couple of hours' more in the hotel
- a very welcome gin and tonic mid-afternoon
- I made my connection with no worries

Back on the road... and a warm welcome

The alarm was set for silly o'clock this morning for a journey to visit a customer in the south west. We took the train, which made it so much easier.

I stopped off on the way back to visit a friend:
- a lovely, warm welcome and a cup of tea
- pizza, garlic bread and a good red as we caught up
- Doris Day and Frank Sinatra in an old film
- then we stayed up too late putting the world to rights

Last day away

From Sunday...

Another leisurely breakfast, then we wrapped up warm and climbed to the top of the car park next door for panoramic views over the city. We could see the Atomium in the distance and all sorts of classical buildings towering over their surroundings.

We visited the money museum then headed back to "our" waffle kiosk for a last treat.

Finally, we headed home and were relieved to find the winter weather wasn't as harsh as predicted. It feels good to be back, even if it's only 3 days before I set off again.

Sub-zero tourism in Brussels

From Saturday...

The snow had turned to slush and a temperature of -10C meant it wasn't going to disappear quickly. When the sun shone it was surprisingly warm though.

Today we wrapped up warm and:
- visited the Museum of the City of Brussels. It was fascinating to see maps, pictures and models showing how the city had been transformed over the centuries.
- had lunch at EXKi, a sort of fast food chain but specialising in healthier foods... we had lovely warm soup with bread. Later we had coffee in another branch.
- explored the little and grander streets. Andrew popped in to C&A to see an old familiar brand.
- visited the comic strip museum, which was about so much more than simply Tintin. It's also in a beautiful Art Nouveau building.
- after walking some more we popped back to the hotel and I was surprised to find the rugby was still on. We lost.

A cold day in Brussels

We started the day with a lovely big breakfast... then tried to walk it off during the day. It's freezing cold here, and by this afternoon it was -7 C and snowing. We had more than a inch on the roads by the evening.

Today we:
- visited the EU Parliamentarium
- walked to Autoworld, but didn't go in
- walked back down the Rue de la Loi and had cauliflower and ginger soup for lunch
- visited the cathedral
- walked back to the Grand Place and found the Maneken Pis (wearing a top hat and tails)
- ate a waffle in the street to warm up
- walked some more and I lost my bearings looking for Monday's restaurant
- returned to the hotel and fell asleep (it was a late night yesterday after a long week)
- went back out for dinner and ended up in a comfortable, warm bar/restaurant - I had an omelette, Andrew had croque monsieur, we both enjoyed some more beer

There are so many things we can do tomorrow... We'll see what the weather's like but I'm guessing there'll be lots more walking.

HIMP week 3, day 4

We spent the morning learning about the EU, then visited the parliament after lunch. It was fascinating to see the plenary chamber and listen to the interpreters keeping up with the speakers. We also heard from two Swedish MEPs about what they do.

Our "cultural activity" in the evening was a beer tasting. Apparently there are 1400 Belgian beers... We tried 4 but I must admit the Lambic beer was too sour for me - the Trappist beer was pretty nice though.

HIMP week 3 days 2 & 3

Well, we've had two more busy days...  yesterday was about marketing and branding, then today has been about cross-cultural communication (which has been one of the most interesting topics so far).

Each day starts at 8:30, with a half-hour reflection on the previous day's subjects - today we were sent out for a walk in Brussels, discussing as we went - then it's pretty much non-stop until we go for dinner at about 8pm, probably with a subject to discuss while we're out.  I'm feeling ok so far, despite the lack of sleep, but will be happy when it's all finished.

The temperatures here are getting colder.  This morning it was -9°C and it felt lower still when we went out this evening.  It's supposed to reach -12°C over the weekend.  I'm very much looking forward to Andrew getting here tomorrow evening though, and we'll enjoy the sight-seeing this weekend.

I'm enjoying the Belgian beer too :o)

HIMP day 4 and back home

1. The sun shone and the mists lifted, making for a beautiful autumn view
2. The Christmas lights were on as I drove back through Cockermouth - crisp white and blue
3. It's good to be back home again, and there was soon a glass of red wine and a tasty snack ready for me.

HIMP day 1

Finance and business strategy...

We're missing some of the other course members, due to work priorities, family and fog... the fog cleared eventually so we gained one back by the end of the day.

The course is interesting (honest!) but I'm guessing it will get a bit more complicated before we're finished.

No aerobics sessions programmed in this time, but we've been for a walk around the town a couple of times.  The fresh air was very welcome after sitting in a classroom all day - we finished at 8:30pm and we're starting back at 8:30am tomorrow.

The meals are delicious.  I got a shock when I had a glass of wine with my dinner though - 125 SEK (about £12!).  I think I'll be sticking to water from now on...  Some of us did manage to find a bar in town for a nightcap after the classes were finished ;o)

lovely morning and great service

We took a walk around Whitehaven harbour before I set off on my travels again... the sun was shining and it was a beautiful clear day.

When I arrived at Stockholm airport I noticed my case had been damaged (again - it was scratched the last time I brought it here!)  I reported it to the service desk, not expecting anything more than a form to fill in, but was given a replacement case there and then!  They had a table at the side of the baggage claim where I could transfer my things from between cases, and then leave my damaged case.  I don't recognise the brand I've been given (but then I didn't know the brand I had before) but it seems at least as good as my old one, and possibly better.

What good service!

back home again

The meeting in Sweden went well, despite my developing a cold before leaving home... I was coughing & sneezing throughout Tuesday, but was fine during the half-hour when I was speaking.

I didn't feel any bad effects from Monday's early start, and the different timezone, which was a welcome answer to prayer; as was not feeling panicky during the drives home yesterday.

• I'd felt God telling me last week that the travelling would be ok, and I could feel Him with me throughout.  It was good to know I wasn't alone, and that the King has been looking after me

I've seen some beautiful sunsets & sunrises over the last few days too - sometimes the world just takes your breath away...

what a long day!

the alarm was set for 4:55 this morning... I'm now in Hudiksvall, after 3 hours in the car, 3+ hours in the plane, 2 hours on the train and a short walk to the hotel.

1. I looked out from the plane window onto what appeared to be lumps of rock in the sea... then spotted the tiny boats moored by the shore, and the (fairly big) roads to "nowhere".  There is life in unexpected places
2. despite all the delays en route (traffic hold-ups, queueing for security, computer problems on the plane...) we arrived pretty much on time at our final destination
3. I opened my "breakfast" sandwich at about 4pm, to find a nice note from Andrew.

and I think this is the nicest room I've had in this hotel yet...

fascinating and practicalities

yesterday:
trip with work to visit the Thorntons factory in Derbyshire...

• I nearly didn't go, but late on Tuesday it was back on!
• the air was full of chocolate dreaminess

today:

• feeling very tired after 400 miles on the road yesterday
• not looking forward to starting out at silly o'clock for Monday's travel, but there's a quiet voice telling me it'll be ok...

...and I've finally got my hair back to the colour it should be ;o)

...and homewards bound

• today's review meeting went well
• short, with a very positive atmosphere
• I've been able to catch an earlier train home
• I might even get to housegroup this evening!
• Daniel's dino hat is making good progress

• the hat is almost done (just a couple more rows to do?)
• I've started on the triangles for the stegosaurus' plates
• just need to magic up enough time to make a pair of mittens now!

on the road again...

...this time in Bristol for a meeting tomorrow morning.

• the train journey down went well
• I looked up while we were still in Cumbria - the fells were wrapped in clouds and bathed in sunshine, and we were right next to it.  It was beautiful!
• able to get some work done in the relative peace and space of 1st class
• safely arrived at the hotel
• supplies from Sainsbury's for a picnic meal in my room
• back out again for a birthday card
• now relaxing with Grand Designs

delightful lunch and heading home

 
















• today's lunch was delicious!
• gravadlax for starter, roast lamb, then lemon tarte
• the sun shone
• lovely to see all my cousins and get to know some of their other cousins
• good to meet their partners too - not one British person among them!  What a cosmopolitan family we have.
• also meeting some relatives I've not seen since I was a child

• back on the train to the chilly north

on the train... and continued travel

• Last night's dinner was made by Andrew
• beef in a stilton, red onion and red wine sauce
• delicious!
• London adventure
• I'm treating myself to an upgrade to 1st Class as I head to London for Isabel & Gorazd's wedding celebration
• Detour to Sloane Square to get gift voucher from John Lewis
• stop to enjoy a slice of pizza from a market stall, while listening to a jazz band in the open air
• a welcome moment of summer relaxation
• Lovely warm welcome when I arrive, with tea & cake in the garden
• hot summer temperatures - London's baking in October
• finished the day with a hot bath

HIMP day 3

1. Harder-going today, after last night's delicious dinner and too much food this morning - I nearly fell asleep more than once after lunch...
2. a lovely walk during this afternoon, around the grounds before returning to work
• the fresh air and exercise was welcome
• there are some strange sculptures around the site, which seem to be from previous courses / conferences
3. Aerobics before dinner, then back to work
• iConsult consultation group
• we finally came up with a name!
• much more enjoyable than any of us expected - getting stuck into understanding and suggesting ideas to improve our "client's" challenging situation at work