The clock is ticking towards 8am, and you find me holed up in my hotel room, sipping espresso from a tiny cup, watching the clock until I need to be back among my co-workers once again.
We’re staying at the “De Vere Wokefield Estate”, just outside Reading, Berkshire. I imagine it’s one of the few places that could easily accommodate over 200 people at once. I dread to think how much it’s costing in lost revenue to bring us all together.
Obviously I can’t tell you exactly what has been on the agenda – but it’s been super interesting so far.
I do wonder if the hotel staff are shaking their head at the amount of coffee techies can consume in day. I also feel a bit sorry for the coffee machines.
The chance to spend time with co-workers last night was wonderful – having a drink together, and finding out a little more about each other. I will freely admit to being a lightweight – a couple of drinks in the bar at the start of the evening saw me through.
There was a sigh of relief when the Mario Kart tournament didn’t happen. A Nintendo Switch was wired up, but a small number of football fans wanted to watch the Arsenal game – and in doing so reminded me why football has such a bad reputation, and why our kids played rugby instead. The explosive, aggressive shouting and swearing aimed at the TV really wasn’t needed.
The hotel room is lovely. I somehow lucked into a double room – so have room to spread out – not that I have anything of consequence with me. I did find myself smiling while checking out the bathroom; it’s almost identical to our new bathroom at home – and of course was filled with complimentary wash kit. I always suspect if I don’t bring my own, there won’t be any provided – sods law, and all that.
Breakfast this morning was typical of just about every hotel I’ve ever stayed in – with coffee from machines, and a selection of heated trays filled with sausages, scrambled egg, baked beans, bacon, mushrooms, and all manner of cereals, pastries and fruit juices.
Anyway.
Time is marching on.
I should really post this, pack my meagre belongings, and wander back I suppose. Oh – one last thing – I have requested the time off for the Minneapolis trip.
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