Glandore People

One of the great things about Glandore is meeting with old friends, usually around the table of one of its many fine pubs and restaurants.

A Few Highlights of Glandore



The weather has been fantastic so far and we've managed to get out on our friends' boat on a couple of occasions.



The next village along, Union Hall, is hosting The All Ireland Coastal Rowing Championship so we went to have a look.

This is the 7th year in a row that we've come to Glandore over the Bank Holiday Weekend. Every year I've taken a picture of Mae sitting at Hayes' bar down in the village. This is the latest.

Most days, we even managed to have picnics on deserted beaches.

Bottom of the Premier League

After the 2-1 home defeat against Birmingham, Derby are now rock - bottom of the Premier League. 3 defeats in a row is not what we hoping for.

We've not played any of the big teams yet, so it's not looking good. We need to pick up points fast to stop us going into freefall. Not sure how we're going to do it with our current players.

West Cork

Have just arrived for a long weekend in the beautiful coastal village of Glandore in West Cork. The first thing I did was order a pint of Murphys. There is something special about eating / drinking the right thing in the right place. Spaghetti is amazing in Italy. Burgers taste best in America. Pernod is delicious in the south of France.

And of course, there's nothing quite as nice as a pint of Murphys in West Cork.

Why Do People Volunteer For This?

On Saturday, 600 people agreed to pose naked on a Swiss glacier on behalf of New York photographer Spencer Tunick to draw attention to global warming. He takes these kind of photos quite regularly and there seems to be no shortage of volunteers. If you are keen, sign up here.

Come to think of it, I'm sure its the kind of thing my wife Karen would love to do.

Running

I'm someone who tries to run regularly, but find it a bit of a struggle, largely due to age, dodgy knees and being overweight. However, I still enjoy running and have worked that there are probably 6 stages I go through during a run which are

1. Anticipation: 'I really should go for a run, but I don't really feel like it' More often then not, this results in a decision not to go for a run for a whole range of spurious reasons.

The answer: get your kit on, don't think too much, just do it

2. Pain: 'Blimey this is hard work' Takes place during the first 5 minutes when you're trying to kick-start your body into action

The answer: a nice long warm-up

3. Pleasure: 'I'm really quite enjoying this'. Midway through. The classic runners high, when you're moving effortlessly

4. Suffering: 'This is really painful'.Getting towards the end of your run and your body is beginning to rebel.

5. Relief: 'Thank God its over. I'm feeling quite pleased with myself now'. You've finally stopped, you begin to recover and are looking forward to a nice hot shower

6. Smugness: 'I've just been for a run. Aren't I virtuous. Must do it regularly' The post run glow when you're looking back on your run.

So what's the answer? How can you make running easier?

I think there are 3 key ways to do this:

1. Set yourself a goal. Book yourself in on a run eg a 10K or half marathon where you'll be forced to train. There's loads to choose from. Check out the Runners World website

2. Find a running partner. This way you'll be able to encourage each other even if you train separately

3. Don't take it too seriously. I think this new Reebok ad has the right attitude.

Center Parcs

Friends of ours invited us to visit them at Center Parcs in Elveden Forest in Suffolk yesterday, which was surprisingly quite enjoyable. The kids really loved it and there were loads of things for them to do.

Not sure I could spend a week there, but would be good for a long weekend. Our girls are already asking us for a return visit.

Spurs 4 Derby 0

Derby were the victims of a good old fashioned hammering at White Hart Lane last Saturday. We were completely outplayed and were lucky to only lose by 4 given that we were 3 down within the first quarter of an hour.

It was no fun being a Derby fan at the game as the Spurs fans abused us and our team gave us nothing to shout about. Disappointingly, there were quite a few empty seats amongst the Derby fans, which, along with our dire performance meant that little noise was generated.

The gulf in class between the Premier League and the Championship was plain to see and no wonder Billy Davies is looking to strengthen the squad in every area. I know Derby fans love Steve Howard, but I'm not convinved he has the quality we need in this league. I hope I'm wrong.

This is the third time I've taken Mae to a Derby game and we've lost all of them. Its very hard to convince her not to support Chelsea. Still - there's always the next match. Let's hope we can raise our game against Birmingham next Saturday.

Elvis Lives!

I'm sure we all know that Elvis died 30 years ago today. I can still remember one of the lads at my dad's ice cream factory crying his eyes out when he found out.

Heard this very funny story about how a cheesemaker in Peterborough spotted the face of Elvis in the veins of a Stilton she was making. Can you see it? I think I can.

Sports Personalities

I'm a big sports fan, but have come to the conclusion, that what makes sport fascinating is not really the competition or the game itself, but the human stories that underpin it. Its only when you get to know and understoood the people behind the sport that is becomes really interesting. Its what makes sport worth talking about, what keeps it so compelling.

I think we admire sports people because:

- they have an incredible raw physical talent, which make them almost super-human
- to become an elite athlete they have to sacrifice huge amounts in pursuit of their goal

- the line between success and failure is incredibly thin and most don't succeed

- their careers are short and intense

For example, I used to think that Formula 1 was incredibly boring until Lewis Hamilton emerged. Would golf have any interest without Tiger Woods? Can Wilkinson ever become great again? Will Sven prove everyone wrong? Will Roy Keane remain invincible? And of course can Derby's players rise to the challenge of being promoted?

That's why I've got no interest in American sport. I'm sure basketball / baseball are OK, but I don't haven't any connection with the human stories that underpin it.

Going Abroad?

If you're still planning on going abroad for your holiday, its good if you can speak some of the local lingo to help avoid misunderstanding. As illustrated in this very funny Berlitz ad.

Norwegian Wood

This is the third novel I've read by Haruki Murakami and once again its excellent. Its all about growing up as a 19 year old in Japan in 1969 and focuses on 3 central character. This was his one of his early novels and was apparently a huge hit in Japan when it first came out.

The storyline in slow and meandering, but I love the way he writes: the gentle pace, the attention to detail, the characters, the feeling of being in Japan. Recommended.

Songs of the Summer

When children like a song they play it and along to it non-stop, without ever getting sick of it. Last year I probably heard Lily Allen's 'Smile' and 'Alfie' about a hundred times.

This year's big Summer hits in the Franco London household are:

Umbrella - Rihanna
Merry Happy - Kate Nash
Ruby - Kaiser Chiefs (aka 'Ruby, Ruby, Ruby')

Rihanna is currently the favourite. Appropriate given today's weather.

Babel

Saw Babel last night and loved it. Consists of 4 intertwined stories in very different settings . Great performances from everyone - even Brad Pitt was OK. Very moving and thought provoking. A bit like 'Crash' in its structure, but much better.

Long - 2 and a half hours - but worth it. Highly recommended.

Football's Back

And Derby are in the Premier League. Still hard to believe, but its true. Got off to a good start with a 2-2 draw yesterday and for the first time in years was able to see them on Match of the Day.

Will no doubt be an emotional rollercoaster this season - as ever. Am looking forward to seeing them for their first London away game at White Hart Lane next Saturday. Fingers crossed.

The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

One of the joys of living in London is that you visit things like the Summer Exhibition which is a really diverse exhibition of work from known and unknown artists, many of which are for sale.

This year, its great.We went today and really enjoyed it. There's lots of inspiring work, its easy to get around, and there are huge dinosaur sculptures in the courtyard. Something for everyone. Definitely worth a visit.

Holiday in Italy

Just back from a fabulous 2 week holiday in Italy. We spent the first week on the Tuscany - Umbria border between Anghiari and Sansepolcro. Brought back lots of memories as I used to visit the Buitoni factory in Sansepolcro many years ago when I worked on the brand.

Stayed in a lovely house and went to lots of great restaurants including Castello di Sorci, one of my favourites.

Had another trip down memory lane in week 2 when we stayed near Pisa. Went to Torre del Lago, where we used to go when I was a kid, Viareggio and of course the Leaning Tower.

What was amazing was that everything seemed pretty much the same, even though I hadn't been back for a long time - the food the beaches, the ice cream, the towns
Really enjoyable.

One day I'd love to have my own house in Italy and spend the whole of the Summer there.

What I'm Reading

I've just started reading this fantastic book called 'The Damned United' It re-tells the story of Brian Clough's disastrous 44 day reign at Leeds United in 1974 alongside flashbacks to his early days as a manager at Hartlepool and Derby.

What's so compelling about this book is that its written through the eyes of Brian Clough - as if he's written it himself. The attention to detail is amazing and no doubt the author has done huge amounts of research to ensure it is as accurate as possible. I've just read a bit where Clough has dropped his wife and kids at the swings at Normanton Park whilst he's gone for an interview for the Derby manager job.

Its a fabulous, pacy read and Clough's voice and character along with the period detail of the 1960s and 1970s comes through loud and clear. I wonder if the La Gondola will get a mention?

Essential reading for anyone with a Derby connection and even if you don't like footie, I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

Am about to go on holiday to Italy and am so looking forward to sitting on a sunlounger and racing through this book.

Can I have a 99 please

Why is a 99 called a 99? Who invented it? Lots of people have asked me this over the years and I've never known the answer, which is a bit embarassing given my upbringing.

However, have discovered - reassuringly - that nobody really knows but there are lots of strange theories. Here are my favourites.

1. When Italy had a monarchy, the king used to have a special army of 99 guards

2. An Italian family in Scotland invented it in the 1920s and their cafe was 99 High Street

3. The initials 'IC' from Ice Cream form the Roman numerals for 99.

Loads more info on wikipedia

New Nike ad


In today's workshop I showed this new Nike Ad which was recently shown in South Africa. What do you think of it? It created a lot of discussion.

I'm not really a fan. Its powerful but feels very Adidas to me. Nike has always had a touch of humour and lighthearted-ness which I feel is missing here. Not sure its the right thing to do.

One of my favourite Nike ads is still the 1998 ad with the Brazil team stuck in an Airport which featured a young, slim Ronaldo and a cameo appearance from Eric Cantona. Makes me want to play footie every time I see it.

Pipe Smoking

During a break in today's workshop I discovered that one of the attendees was a pipe smoker and that his favourite brand was Condor. Its been years since I've come across anyone who smokes a pipe and I have to admit that I found the smell of the pipe tobacco quite pleasant.

Years ago of course pipe smoking was much more common and one of the most famous pipe smokers was the late, great Eric Morcambe.

Does anyone remember that on their show, Eric and Ernie used to sleep together? No-one batted an eyelid at the time.

Watch this. It'll make you smile

Recommended

In yesterday's Times there was an article suggesting that Newbury could replace Ludlow as the next foodie destination on the strength of the Vineyard in Stockcross. Well, I'm not sure that Newbury is quite there yet. I always associate it with the Vodaphone head office.

However, the food at the Vineyard was stunning and there is a huge winelist. So if you fancy a real gasto treat then its worth visiting. Also worth considering staying there. The rooms are really comfy and there's a spa. In terms of decor, its still not sure whether its contemporary or traditional. Tries to do a bit of both and doesn't quite succeed in either.

However, this place is all about the food and drink, so don't let that put you off.

Posh Hotel

Am staying at a very, very nice 5 star hotel which has a restaurant with 2 Michelin stars. Its called the Vineyard at Stockcross near Newbury.

We're about to go on a tour of the wine cellars, a wine tasting followed by a 10 course dinner. Fortunately, I'm working so I'm not paying. Thank goodness.

Volver

Saw Volver last night. What a great film. Can't think of a Pedro Almodovar film that I've not enjoyed. Penelope Cruz was really good. I've never particularly liked her but now I'm a big fan.

Derby's New Adidas Kit

Its now on sale and will no doubt become the coolest in the Premiership.

I'm going to order mine now.

Speed Stacking

Last week at a workshop, someone told me about this craze in the USA called Speed Stacking. Now I'd never heard of it and have no idea how big it is, but there some amazing videos of it posted on Youtube.

Will it ever become a big craze in the UK? Maybe it is already...

Tony Buzan Lecture

I decided to go a lecture yesterday at the Louise T Blouin Institute in west London by Tony Buzan. I spend so much of my time teaching it was really nice to be able to sit in the audience and take it all in.

Tony Buzan is a renowned business guru and expert in creativity who invented that well known creativity tool Mind Mapping and has written dozens of books on how the brain works.

Although he acted a bit too much like a guru for my liking I do agree with all the things he says, namely that:

- everybody is creative although many people don't realise it

- we only ever use a tiny proportion of our phenomenal brainpower

- there's so much more we could achieve if we put our mind to it.

- there are so many things we could do to improve our creative output.

If you've never done Mind Mapping its easy and I suggest you give it a go.

Oh no. Today's Friday the 13th. Just realised!

What else have I learnt about Holland?

This is what some of the Dutch people were telling me over dinner last night. (They may have made up some of it)

1. Mark Overmars the ex-Arsenal footballer lives very near by in a village called Epe. He's a local celeb.

2. Holland and Jamaica are the only 2 countries in the world where soft drugs are legal.

3. You buy can drugs at coffee shops - but you can't buy coffee.

4. There are no Starbucks in Holland except in the airport.

5. The Dutch really are tight with their money - hence the expression 'going Dutch'. They never tip.

6. Allo allo is still shown on Dutch telly and is really popular. They know all the characters (Herr Flick, Renee, etc) and can quote all the lines.

7. They're not very fond of the Germans. Maybe that's why they like Allo Allo.

Still in Holland

My third day in Holland and I'm getting quite used to Dutch food. In particular:

- tons of cheese, which is served at every mealtime

- these little sugary hundreds and thousands which they call 'sprinkles' and pour on their bread. I've never seen anybody apart from the Dutch eat these

- milk which is served at lunchtime. I guess that's why most of them are so tall. It looks really odd when you see adults drinking milk.

Am staying at a hotel in the middle of a huge forest called the Golden Tulip. Still not seen any windmills and not one person is wearing clogs. How disappointing. Plenty of bicycles though.

Sunday at the Cornbury Festival

For once the sun shone and it felt like Summer had arrived in Oxfordshire.

We met up with the residents of Landcroft House and had a good look around all the stalls and around the site which was small and friendly. Not quite Glastonbury but a great day out.

A highlight was the Innocent Village Fete which had lots of games and gave out loads of free samples.















We even managed to see some live music which included Suzanne Vega who was on fine form.















Unfortunately we had to leave early and missed The Feeling and Blondie which was a real shame. I had to get up at 4 am to get an early morning flight to Holland. Will be here all week and have got 5 days of workshops / training sessions in a row with 2 different clients.

Looking forward to my holiday in Italy.

Dove Advertising

I played this Dove viral ad called 'evolution' at my workshop yesterday. It caused quite a stir and sparked a lot of discussion. It takes something special for a team of jaded, know it all marketers to go 'wow'.

No wonder it won the Grand Prix for viral marketing at the recent Cannes Advertising Festival.

Golf

End of day 2 of my workshop. Just been looking out from my bedroom window over the golfcourse through the gloomy clouds and come to the conclusion that I don't think I'll ever play golf. Apart from the fact that I don't think I'll ever find the time, I find all the 'stuff' that surrounds the sport a bit depressing. Things I hate about golf are:

1. The middle class clubbiness of it all. You have to belong, fit in and be a certain type to be part of the golf scene.

2. The maleness: it all feels very businessy and blokey. Lots of people with blackberries strutting around, doing deals, feeling indestructible

3. The terrible clothing: those Pringle jumpers, slacks and shoes with tassles.

On the other hand, tennis is a fantastic sport - and not just because its Wimbledon at the moment. Its inclusive, a mental and physical challenge, sociable without any of the baggage that surrounds golf. I must play more often so if anyone fancies a game - get in touch!

Happy Birthday Bev

Just back from a fabulous weekend in Devon where we celebrated Bev's 50th birthday party. Bev? 50? No, I can't believe it either.

It was so nice get out of London and spend a bit of time with some old friends. The party had a great local live band and everyone indulged in some mad drunken dancing.

On Sunday the rain held off so we all managed a barbecue on the beach followed by a game of rounders with the kids. Not played for ages. Such good fun.

Am now staying in a big hotel in the middle of a golf club, just by junction 11 of the M4 after being dropped off on the way back from Devon. I'll be staying here until Wednesday running workshops. Despite suffering from a combination of fatigue and excessive alcohol consumption I've just about managed to survive day 1.

Must get an early night.

Henmania

Summer's here. The weather's crap. Glastonbury was a mud bath. Rain's stopped play at Wimbledon and from where I'm sitting in Tooting you can almost hear the cries from SW11 of 'COME ON TIM'.

Yes, we thought he was dead and buried but 'The People's Champion' is back and pulling at our heartstrings. I was working in an office yesterday and the girl sitting opposite me kept getting texts from her boyfriend. 'He's winning 12-11!'. 'Guess what, he's just saved a break point!' And finally 'Yes - he's won!!!'

Admittedly, our expectations are a bit more realistic nowadays. Can he get through the first round, rather than can he beat Federer? Still, so far so good. He's on court as we speak playing another Spanish nobody and no doubt Henman Hill is rocking. I've not seen him on telly yet but I'm sure Tiger Tim will be pumping his fist at every point he wins, his wife will be clapping politely and his dad will be scowling.

Could this be his year at last? We live in hope.........'COME ON TIM'

Gordon Brown or James Brown?

In a recent speech Gordon Brown said that Labour needed to find its 'soul'. Does this mean that Gordon Brown is seeking a new party theme tune? Is he looking to Soul music as a means of distancing himself from Tony Blair's Britpop associations? I guess he remembers how 'Things Can Only Get Better' kicked off the new Blair era so successfully.

If so what Soul classic would be appropriate for Gordon Brown?

Well, he definitely can't use Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' as this has been appropriated by George Galloway. I guess that being an ex-Chancellor the most obvious choice would be the Contours 'First I Look at The Purse'. Although if he wanted to appeal to the old-Labour supporters he may choose The Jackson 5's 'I Want You Back'. To support the Olympic Games he may decide to choose the Temptations 'Ain't Too Proud to Beg'.

Can't think of any more. Any other suggestions for the Gordon Brown Soul Classics?

Jarvis Loves Karen

Last night Karen went to see Jarvis Cocker perform at the Royal Festival Hall. Being such a big fan, Karen got front row seats. (I stayed in to look after the kids having been away all week)

As the show progressed, it became clear that Jarvis took quite a liking to her. Firstly, he shook her by the hand. "I was the only one he did this to"

Throughout the show he then kept popping down to see her. He gave her his half empty beer bottle and a little plastic thing that he found on stage - see photo. Do you think they'd be worth anything on Ebay?

All the Jarvis fans kept saying to her "you're the Chosen One"

Its been quite a week for Karen. She's now a fully qualified Business and Economics teacher and on Wednesday got offered a job at Burntwood School, which is just down the road in Earlsfield. Fantastic news.

Day 4 Germany

Have just landed in Hamburg, the 2nd and final stop stay in Germany. One more session and I fly hope tomorrow night. Hamburg is much more happening than Dusseldorf. An staying in one of those trendy minimalist hotels with 'Buddha Bar' style music in reception and very low lights. My room is so minimal I've only just worked out where the door to the bathroom is. Still can't find the wardrobe.

The key things I've learnt about Germans so far are;

1. The trendiest band amongst young people is Tokio Hotel . I've never heard of them, but apparently their fans scream Beatles-style when they're in concert. I guess they'll arrive in the UK at some point.

2. Facial hair is still cool. At least one guy in each workshop had a beardy look and there were also a couple of moustaches.

3. Loads of people smoke. The airport cafes and restaurants were full of smokers and lots of people kept nipping outside on the terrace next to our meeting room for a quick fag during breaks.

4. Sandwiches are always cut diagonally and have a cocktail stick in them. A bit like a single decker Club Sandwich.

Shall I nip down to the minimal bar for a minimal beer? Probably not. Still need to find my wardrobe.

Day 2 Germany

Beautiful day in Germany and the session went well. 3 more sessions to go. Bit of a Groundhog day thing going on. People, as ever, very friendly and relaxed. Managed to go for a run but spoilt it by a beer and some pasta from room service. Germans don't do nice pasta. I think they use tarragon and dill a bit too liberally. However their pizza's pretty good and you can't fault their beer.

Just dropped my phone and the screen won't light up. I can still use it to make and receive but can't read any texts or use my diary. What a pain. Have only just got my laptop repaired and now this! Will need to get a new one.

Germany Day 1

Have just landed in Germany which will be my home for the rest of the week. Am staying in Dusseldorf until Thursday and then off to Hamburg. My first ever visit to Dusseldorf and I haven't got a clue where it is exactly and what its like. Must find out more to aid my lunchtime chitchat.

Am running the same workshop for 4 days. My challenge is to encourage my German attendees to think more creatively, which should be fun. Same material, different faces. A bit like being in a Rock band I guess but without the cheering and groupies. I definitely won't be doing any encores. 5pm and I'm off. Will try and go for a run every night if I can. Hopefully I won't get asked for dinner.

Staying in a pleasant nH hotel. They've left 2 pieces of chocolate on my pillow and I've eaten them both. Flew economy class in Lufthansa and the food was a bit stingy. I find those grey leather seats so depressing. I don't know why.

I'm just about to read Sarah Waters The Night Watch before I go to bed, on Karen's recommendation. Have just read the backcover blurb and it sounds like its set in wartime. Hardly appropriate is it?

Getting Old

There are lots of signs that age is catching up on me.

1. I go to more 50th birthday parties than 40ths. Went to one last week and have got another one at the end of June. Am more interested in the food than the booze.

2. I stole the 'Daily Telegraph' from the BA lounge last week and read it on a flight. I found that there were lots of really interesting articles in it.

3. I learnt to play Bridge this weekend.

4. After a couple of days of dry weather I start worrying about my allotment.

Derby Games in London

The Premiership fixtures have been announced and this is when Derby will be playing in London.

18th August Tottenham
22nd September Arsenal
20th October Fulham
8th March Chelsea
19th April West Ham

Anyone want to go?

Derby have also got this new badge for their shirts. Now this is a good logo.

Yellow Mangoes

In my local greengrocer you can now buy yellow mangoes from Pakistan. They come in boxes of 5 and each one has a sticker on with a little piece of tinsel attached. They're not available for that long and taste absolutely delicious. £5.49 per box. Buy some now.

Royal Festival Hall Re-launch

This weekend there were a series of events to celebrate the re-opening of the Royal Festival Hall. The weather was great, there was loads of free stuff and everyone was in a good mood.

The Royal Festival Hall is pretty much the same as the old place only better. Same 50s style look and feel, but with nicer bars, more places to eat and hang out in and the smell of new carpet.


The concert hall looks pretty much the same but the acoustics have been improved. Saw an event which featured the South London Choir amongst others - which includes Karen, who has managed to appear at both the Albert Hall and the Royal Festival Hall within 12 months.

Our Dreadful Logo

I've lived with it for a few days. I've done by best to try and like it but I can't. It lacks charm, wit, stature, style, beauty and most of all a sense of pride. I'm a big fan of the Olympics and am so looking forward to the London event. Wolff Olins how could you have done this?

What I'm Reading

I'm about halfway through Engleby by Sebastian Faulks and am really enjoying it. Its a real departure from his previous books such as Charlotte Gray and Birdsong, so if you're a fan of his, you might be disappointed. If you're not that keen on him, you might be pleasantly surprised. Its set in the 1970s and 1980s with some great period detail and is written from the point of view of a really intriguing central character - Mike Engleby.

I was reading it on the Tube today and Engleby decided to go for a couple of pints of lager in the basement bar of Bar Oporto on the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue- which caused me to sit up. This is the Bar that my brother used to own a few years ago and the basement bar was where we spent the Millenium evening and where I had my 40th birthday party. What was equally surprising was that it was the late 1970s. I didn't realise that Bar Oporto had such a long history. I wonder if Sebastian Faulkes was a regular?

Will Bar Oporto will feature later in the book? I'll let you know.

Bye Bye Seth

Finally back in the UK after a 13 hour flight from KL. Saw the 'Queen'. Good for a video night in. Not really a cinematic experience.

Was really disappointed to learn that Seth Johnson's contract with Derby won't be renewed next year. He's such a committed player and adds real strength to the team. No wonder the fans love him. His presence was a key factor in Derby winning the Play Offs and we've got no obvious replacement.

I guess we have to trust that the management have got it right and that maybe his injusry issues are more critical than we think. However am still disappointed and hope that somehow he'll still end up playing for Derby at some point in the future.

KL Day 3

Have not stepped out of the hotel today. Full-on client workshop followed by a Chinese banquet. Fantastic food, but seemed to go on forever. Had a quick drink in the bar where a band was playing Santana songs, before I returned to my room.

One more day full day before I get the flight back home.

KL Day 2

Spent a relatively quiet day in KL preparing for our workshops tomorrow.Its incredibly hot and steamy here. Went for a walk but soon had to dive into a Mall to benefit from the air conditioning. Shopping is obviously a key pastime here and it was packed. All the ususal brands you would expect are on sale, including a lot of luxury brands. There's a big Louis Vuiton shop right next door.

For dinner we went to the famous KL tower where you can see the whole of the city. However, just like yesterday there was a torrential downpour so we couldn't really see very much until later in the evening.

The favourite topic of conversation is food. As Malaysia is largely comprised of Malay, Chinese and Indian people, there is lots of choice. So far its been really good and its very easy to overindulge.

Big day tomorrow so must get an early night. Really looking forward to my 'Heavenly Bed'.

KL Day 1

Just arrived in Kuala Lumpur for a 2 day workshop with my colleague Mark. My first ever visit to Malaysia. It involves a Sunday evening dinner so we arrived in good time to try to avoid the jetlag. Drove through a very dramatic thunderstorm and arrived at the very swish Westin Hotel, famous for their 'Heavenly Beds'.

To help shake off the 12 hour Malaysian Airways flight we decided to go the gym which was great. Feel a lot better. We'll probably explore the hotel now and figure out the best place to eat.

Should try and get some sleep relatively soon, even though I'm feeling wide awake. Let's hope the Heavenly Bed lives up to its name.