Poznan, Poland

Arrived late last night after a long and tortuous flight and feel I'm in the middle of nowhere. Well, not quite. Am in the Polish countryside, 60km west of Poznan and about 100km from the German border running a workshop.

Am staying in a really strange 'country hotel'. Is very pretty, but a bit creepy. A bit like the Bates Motel. Not quite sure whether its an old castle or a private home, but its got things like a huge birdcage on the landing outside my bedroom with strange birds fluttering about and a mini zoo in the grounds with peacocks and rabbits...quite odd.

Big news here is the fact that Poland along with the Ukraine - strange Catholic alliance - will be hosting the 2012 European Football Championship...beating Italy in the bid. Poznan are going to one of the host cities.

Expect a sudden return of all the Polish construction workers from the UK to start work on their new roads and hotels. If you're planning a new bathroom, you'd better get on with it soon.