trip

I tried to blog from my work laptop last night . Just felt i had to try as they gave me a 3G card - the theory being anywhere i can get a mobile phone signal i can connect at braodband speed . Of course the technology police sent me a dialogue box that said my attempt to access restricted or unsuitable material had been logged and reported to the IT security dept. . So , at least I know who'll be ringing me on Monday .

I got picked up at the airport by a driver , 7 series Beemer . As usual I felt a little bit embarassed at the effort and expense that's sometimes lavished on me . I always think I'm not worth it but these things have a habit of boosting my opinion of myself and giving me a polite kick up the arse .

My embarassment was short lived , not due to a change of heart or sudden feeling of self-importance but due to the smell of the driver which caught my attention on the short walk outside to the airport car park . The realisation of his not-so-ardent odour was reinforced by the fact there was a brisk breeze . In a split second my thoughts drifted to a 45 minute car journey with Pepe .

I sat in the front , you already know I'd just not feel right sitting in the back . Having felt very tired all day conversation was not big on my list of priorities . The prospect of a tasty dinner in the hotel and a bottle of merlot followed by a sleep of the dead was very appealing . Pleasantries and inane small talk were exchanged , enough to appear not stuck up or condescending and I closed my eyes .

As the journey progressed it became apparent that the car was more of a stranger to the driver than I was . Although an automatic he did what he could to make me think that it wasn't with brakes , accelerator and steering all receiving a thorough testing . The stench enveloping me made me wish he'd give the same level of attention to the air conditioning controls . I couldn't start talking to him again to take my mind off events . I'd be able to taste his smell if I opened my mouth .

About halfway through our trip I decided the only option I had was to hold my breath . With 20 minutes remaining passing out was a distinct possibility but one which would bring it's own reward .

Dinner at the hotel went exactly as expected , the food's always fantastic there .The merlot came in a glass that would swallow half a bottle and not look full . Obviously i had a second . A large party of about 40 / 50 were ushered into the medeival dining room . Some looked to have facial similarities , many different accents were apparent . How did these people know each other , were they many small groups of family members ? On an individual basis they generally looked weird . I don't mean disabled or deformed , just weird . And then of course others in their company looked similarly weird . I concluded they must be accountants .