Category: AWAY FROM THE DESK
-
The Ritz and London, August 2023
St Paul’s, the Thames & Old City (Sunday 27th) The Ritz, West End, Royal Parks & Covent Garden (Monday 28th) Battersea Power Station, Harrods & Hyde Park (Tuesday 29th)
-
A new London Season (trip #1, Sunday 6th Aug. 2023)
Just a brief stay but a rewarding one: I had lunch at San Carlo’s Cicchetti in Leicester Square and relaxed by the river for a few hours. The sun was out – not something we’ve enjoyed much this year in the UK – so getting outdoors was the top priority. Down by the river
-
RIO DE JANEIRO, 18th – 31st JULY 2023
Conference week – Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (“SASE”) Flamengo and the Windsor Florida hotel Holiday week Copacabana & Centro
-
MAJORCA 2023 – A long overdue beach holiday
It had it all: endless sun, golden sand, palm trees, a big pool and large hotel grounds where you had a sense of personal space in an otherwise busy hotel and resort. “Little things” made a big difference, amongst them were excellent air conditioning and food even better than a 4* rating suggests. I’d be…
-
Beethoven Symphony 9
This was long overdue, it’s not amongst my favourite symphonies but it’s one I felt the need to get around to anyway – if only for the “Ode de Joy” portion of the 4th movement. It’s hard not to be roused by that. As a comedy treat I arrived 5 mins late for the prior…
-
Hans Zimmer Live & Manchester
I don’t do hyperbole (except in the sarcastic sense) so when I say this I mean it: Hans Zimmer Live is the best show I’ve ever seen. It features a true living genius bringing his work to life on stage with an array of musical talent that leaves you speechless. The best show on the…
-
Flying Visit: Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes isn’t a much loved town and I’m not sure why because there’s lots to like and little to offend. Maybe that’s its problem, it’s offensively unoffensive in its modern orderliness. It’s very American – roundabouts aside – which I guess goes down well with some and bothers others with its un-Britishness. Anyway I…
-
“CABS”, Celtic Manor & Wales
A wonderful coming together of things: returning to south Wales (where I have considerable history), 3 days at a 5* resort (which I’ve driven past countless times but never been to) and presenting at a major conference. The icing on the cake was being there with great colleagues and beautiful weather. What a treat! My…
-
Trip home: Leamington (30/04/23)
First time back in Leamington since 2020. It’s bizarre how such a meaningful place can be less than an hour away and yet I haven’t visited for 3 years. Such are the times, and such is my point in life. Great to get back there; I’m fairly confident there will be more such visits before…
-
ILPC Glasgow (11-17 April 2023)
I finally got up to Glasgow, it’s been on the list for decades but there’s fierce competition for time and resources. Over the course of life though, the right moment and reason eventually emerges and this was the case: the International Labour Process Conference was hosted by Strathclyde University in 2023. I therefore spent a…
