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Blog of my trip to Europe, June 2008
Wednesday:
Went to the Gaylord National, on the Potomac river outside of Washington D.C. for the conference. The place is huge. Must have cost a fortune. They were charging $1,700 for the conference – where most conferences cost around $500. I told them I wouldn’t be coming unless they let me in cheap, and bless their hearts they let me in free.
So I gave two presentations to ~10 people, and watched three other presentations, and left.
I drove over to Dulles to catch a flight to England. I always find it interesting driving the speed limit, especially when its 55mph near a major urban area. A lot of folks drive 70+, so when it’s real busy, and everyone’s weaving, you constantly have the sensation that someone’s about to clip your rear wing as they zoom past you.
I was actually vaguely looking forward to the flight, as it was on Virgin Atlantic, which I’ve heard good things of but never had the chance to fly. Turns out that 8 hours in a thin aluminum tube hurtling through the air is much the same whichever airline you’re on.
Unless you’re in first class.
Which I wasn’t.
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Thursday:
So we got into Heathrow, and it took about 2.5 hours to get my bag, get to rental car place and get on the road. Drove for about 2 hours up to Derby, and caught about 20 minutes nap before heading to my half-hour meeting, which went well. Grabbed some fish and chips, and drove down to my sister Catherine’s house. By this time it was 7pm, so I chatted with them for a while and went to bed.
Aaaaaah.
So, just to be clear, I flew all the way to England for a half-hour meeting.
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Friday:
Drove from Birmingham down to Evesham to have lunch with my Mom and Dad. They were in fine form, the sun was shining (at least some of the time), and it was very lovely. I then went back to my sister’s house, and hung out with her daughter Esther for a while. She’s an absolute sweetheart, almost 3 and lots of fun. She has a delightful Brummie accent! Then I caught a train from Birmingham to Derby and had dinner with a bunch of chaps from Rolls-Royce. The restaurant was quite interesting, a Balti place, with Bollywood films projected on one wall, and all the waiters wearing turbans. I caught the last train back to Birmingham and got to experience a bunch of drunk “yobs” a little further down the carriage.
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Saturday:
Breakfast with sister: Priceless
Lunch with parents: Priceless
Dinner with Ju and Cindy: Priceless
Missing the True Word Tabernacle Summer Kids Fun Day: ...
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Sunday:
Drove from Warminster to Gatwick and flew to Dresden, Germany. I had a little time in the evening so I went to the center of town. It was bombed flat during WW2, but they have rebuilt many of the buildings, including many “old” churches and buildings, which look centuries old, but were all build since WW2. Wow.
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Monday:
Meeting from 9 ‘til 3, then drove 4.5 hours to Munich. You remember me saying above that I drive the speed limit? Guess what happens when there isn’t a speed limit… Well, I found out today, as the German autobahn has no limit most of the time. So, the lesson learned is that next time I MUST make sure I upgrade the rental car. I got a compact car, like I usually do, and with the pedal flat to the floor, it would only do 105mph on the flat. Down hills, I could get it to 115mph, but even at that speed, the BMW’s would just zoom past. I will give it credit though, it was smooth even at top speed. If you’re ever in that situation, remember that you can often get a little more speed out of 5th gear rather than 6th, since the revs are higher.
I just got an email from my colleague who's also in Germany - he got an Audi TT turbo.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaa
Anna is somewhat stressed out. PLEASE PRAY for a little relaxation!
God bless,
Richard
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Posted by rgrylls on 2008-06-16 17:01:27 | Rating: | Views: 363
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You made it very colorful and interesting, we can feel the rush and the relaxation as though we were there :)!!! Have a continued safe trip!!
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Posted by hatfield6
on 2008-06-17 00:04:37
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I should've been born in England. I'm part English you know... :) Know any Carlton's? (my maiden name) Summer Fun Kids Day? hmm... that sounds like something just up my avenue! NEAT!
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Posted by Joane
on 2008-07-05 12:29:16
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On to the next post. I've been extreemly busy for so long, I see I have lots to catch up on...
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Posted by Joane
on 2008-07-05 12:30:02
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I wasn't going to comment from so far back but I can't help myself. I'm sorry you missed the kid's day. I'm glad there will be more.
Richard!!!!!! 115?!!!!! Are you daft? Was it fun? :o)
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Posted by debwrkn4jesus
on 2008-07-14 19:11:36
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