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The 2008 Jurong Island Race

Posted on 10 August, 200810 May, 2010 by pierreo

It was time for the annual Jurong Island Dragon Boat Race. An event dominated the last few years by the many ExxonMobil teams entered in the various categories, except last year where results were disappointing compared to previous years. We therefore needed to improve…

Last year, indeed, we had won ‘only’ two cups out of four (ladies and Veterans) and three sets of medals – not bad, but not as expected. The final photo was still one of success.

As you may recall, my mixed team, Papillon, had crossed the finish first in the final, but was later disqualified as we had finished in the wrong lane … An costly mistake.

A lot of practice, by all teams, had gone into doing a lot better this year. We had entered 8 teams overall, five in the Open competition, and one each in Mixed, Ladies and Veterans. SRC had seven teams entered and most of the other companies a lot fewer.

Three of the teams entered in the Open division qualified for the semi-finals and eventually for the final (there are only 6 lanes) and two other teams, Tiger Lillies (Ladies) and Roaring Forties (Veterans) went directly into the finals as there are less than 6 teams entered.

Papillon had to prove a lot following the disappointments of the previous three years – and we had to do it without our coach Patrick who had other commitments that day. The team did very well in the heat, finishing well ahead of all the other competitors as seen on the picture of the finish below.

Success was repeated in the semi-final, with Papillon again finishing ahead of the rest.

The final overall results were much better than last year.

Sea Blades won the Open division and Aces came in second.

Roaring Forties won the Veterans by a margin of only 0.03 seconds.

Tiger Lillies were unfortunately beaten into second place for the first time in five years – a well deserved silver medal nonetheless.

And Papillon won the mixed division, beating SRC convincingly, and in the correct lane.

The award ceremony was again dominated by winning EM teams – Papillon getting their Gold medal from the EM Chemical Plant Manager himself – the picture says it all, joy and not a small amount of relief.

With so many EM teams getting medals and doing well, we decided to have, once again, a combined team picture on the podium.

That evening we had a fantastic BBQ at Ken’s place, with good food, good company, excellent home-made beer and even entertainment. Not a bad way to finish the day.

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Sports

Madness is not that bad

Posted on 19 July, 200810 May, 2010 by pierreo

The verdict is in and it may have taken me 50 years to learn this but now I know: I am mad!

Actually I am probably too harsh on myself – I did not have deep enough thoughts to consider madness for the first few years of my life and therefore it probably only took me 46 or 47 years to learn this. In any case, I am a slow learner, but you must agree with me that it is not easy to admit something like this.

So what finally triggered this revelation? The week-end of 12 and 13 July! And of course a lot of things that happened before that.

It all started one day in June 1957 – but I will skip a few episodes to 2006 and an innocent proposal from a friend: “Pierre, would you like to run in the JP Morgan Run – it is only 5.6 km?” I said yes and he is still my friend – I do not blame him for what happened after that.

I actually enjoyed the run, and the competition and wanted more. I than agreed to run the 1/2 marathon in December 2006. Than another friend talked about a ‘biathlon’ (swim than run) and I completed my first one in March 2007 and enjoyed that. Here I am coming out of the water during that event.

Than I found out about the Singapore Triathlon, and I was doomed!

In 2007, I signed up and trained really hard for 2 months. On the day of the competition, I was ready, but the weather was not. After swimming 1.5 km in a sea that looked more like a washing machine and cycling 10 km in a driving rain, the organisers called the race off because it was getting dangerous. I was devastated, and compensated that day by winning the silver medal in a local charity Dragon Boat race with Papillon.

I was determined to do better this year.

I set up a rigorous training program in May and June to prepare: Monday – swim, occasionally followed by run or cycle; Tuesday – Gym; Wednesday – Run; Thursday – rest; Friday – Cycle; Saturday – Dragon Boat; Sunday – Cycle and Run, or Swim and Cycle.

All was going well until I was faced with a decision – actually a series of decisions.

My week end started early on Saturday 12 July. I had to organise paddles, life jackets and the all important ‘butt protectors’ as well as drinks for Papillon as we were competing in the Corporate Community Games that day. This has become a very important competition for us as last year, this was the first time that we won anything as a team. We won the bronze medal in the mixed competition when few expected us to do that well. Read all about it in my entry of July last year. This was the picture of us with our first medal.

I arrived at Bedok Reservoir early enough to see the completion of the Men’s competition. ExxonMobil Teams took 2nd and 3rd place behind Citibank. A much better result than last year when no medals were won.

The mixed competition was tougher with 18 teams entered. I did not row for the heat and we came in first with a good lead over … the other ExxonMobil Team – Roaring Lillies. This meant that both teams went directly into the semi-finals.

Here is the whole group before our respective semi finals.

Fortunately our two teams were in different semi-finals. Papillon went first and the finish was very, very close. I had taken my usual place at the back of the boat with Ben (the two ‘mountains’ were back together again) and I knew we were not first as OCBC was clearly a little in front of us, but Citibank was very close and I could not tell who was second and who was third. However, we were reassured when we saw the EM fans on the docks jumping up and down holding up two fingers. Only the top two teams from each semi made it to the finals! We were in but, as we found out later, with the worst qualifying time.

The final was a blurr to me. There was a false start, the first I can ever remember. We shot out quickly and had a small lead but OCBC was coming back slowly. The finish between OCBC and ourselves was again very close and this time, we were not so happy when our friends held out TWO FINGERS. We did one better than last year, but maybe not as good as what we could have done. There is always room for improvement.

As we did last year, we ended up celebrating the medal at my apartment. Only this time, I had asked everybody to leave around 10 PM as I needed rest. The Singapore Airforce celebrated with us with a fantastic aerobatics display – this was one of the final rehearsals for the National Day Parade that will take place on 9 August. The food took forever to get here, but we had fun and did not really care, other than the hunger we all felt. We listened to music – no Queens this time – and talked and relaxed. At about 10:15, without any prompting on my part, some one said “Let’s go” and within 5 minutes the apartment was clean and everybody had left.

On Sunday – It was Triathlon Time! And it did not go all that well. The swim was OK – it was difficult and it took me 40 minutes to complete the 1.5 km (my usual time is about 30 minutes) but I was 6th out of the water in the ’50 and over’ category. Here is the start – I am to the left of middle, starting my stopwatch and wearing the orange cap and the red and white top

The cycling went OK as well. I completed the 40 km in a little over 1h20m, about the time I was hoping for. However, as soon as I started running, I knew I was in trouble. After 2 km, I could barely run. After 3 km I started walking and I knew that I would not complete the event. I had no energy left, was dehydrated and could not drink enough to feel better.

So my second Triathlon ended with DNF!

Did the events of the day before contribute to this? Probably not the ideal preparation for a 3-hour endurance race.

Would I do it again? Without a second of hesitation – YES!

That’ why I am MAD!

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Sports

Singapore Dragon Boat Festival 2008

Posted on 6 July, 200810 May, 2010 by pierreo

Last year, Papillon lost in the heats to a team called NewUrbanMale (NUM) by only 0.5s after a nearly 5 minute race. I never got over it – most of us did not.

See post on the subject in July 2007

This year, our goal was: 1) make it to the semis and 2) Beat NewUrbanMale!

Once again, there is no Inter-Corporate Mixed competition so Papillon is entered in the open division together with EM Ace, EM Roaring Forties (our veterans) and EM Refinery. EM Sea Blades is in Inter-business clubs and houses and EM Tiger Lillies is entered in the Inter-Corporate Ladies. A full house as last year.

Just as a reminder, this is one of the largest Dragon Boat competitions in Singapore and is definitely the longest at 800 m. This may not seem like much to you, but 4 1/2 minutes of hard rowing is a grueling race. Most of the other events we will enter are run over 250 or 300 m.

Papillon is drawn in the fourth heat, against Manulife, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Shell, and Health Science Authority – no NUM.

The start is delayed as two of the teams are having problems setting up. They have a new starting ‘method’ for this year with a pontoon and the boats are held in position. It is much easier once you are in place, but a little more difficult to get in position, especially since the wind is strong and against us. We wait patiently, breath deep and concentrate.

The start is good, with our new strategy of 30 hard strokes propelling us into the lead. Very quickly, it is a two boat race, between ourselves and RBS – all the others are far behind. After our hard-10, we are even with RBS, but they do a hard-10 and take a 1 or 2 seat lead. Patrick, our coach, is thinking for all of us, and does not call for a second hard-10. He also does an abbreviated charge of only 50 m. The rules are simple – the top two teams in each heat qualify for the semi finals – no point in wasting energy now.

We come in second to RBS with an excellent time of 4 m 51 s, slower than last year, but we were rowing against a very strong wind. The other teams in our heat are very far behind. Here are the results:

Most of the teams in the other heats have times above 5 minutes. A lot of the top teams do not go all out in the heats, true, but we have a time in the top 10 which is not too bad considering that we are competing against all male teams and we have 2 (very good) ladies rowing with us.

Our first objective is met.

Sunday – we are in the first semi-final, with HP (who had the best time in the heats), our old friends NUM, UBS, Citibank and National Health Care. Three other EM Teams are qualified for the semi-finals – a better result than last year.

Earlier in the morning, the Tiger Lillies had their semi-final (only 12 teams signed up) and qualified in third place for the final.

We know our task is difficult. Only the top two teams in each semi-final will qualify for the final. HP is probably untouchable so once again, it looks like NUM, and our performance against them, will be the deciding factor. In the heats, NUM Had a slower time than we did, but, as I said earlier, this is not always a good indication of the potential of a team. We board the boat near the finishing line and therefore use the 800 m to the starting point as a final tune-up and warm-up.

We have a good start. Since I am on the left side of our boat, I can glance at HP and NUM and we are even with them. After 200 m HP starts to draw ahead with a faster maintenance pace than we can maintain. NUM draws ahead as well, but our hard-10 brings us back closer. After 400 m, the race is essentially decided. HP and NUM are stronger than we are and slowly draw away from us. One more hard-10 brings us closer, but not close enough to challenge. In the end, we are close third, beaten again by NUM!

The advantage of being part of a larger Dragon Boat family is immediately obvious. We are clearly disappointed not to have advanced to the final but when we return to the ExxonMobil tent, we are greeted with applause and pats on the back by all, dragon boaters and fans alike. Just what we needed to realise that what we did was an achievement after all.

Unfortunately, none of the other EM men’s team qualified for the finals. The Lillies did quite well, coming in 5 th place overall. HP won both the men and the ladies competitions!

Just as a point of comparison, the top 10-men competition is the Inter-business houses and clubs. Their time is 10-20 seconds faster than we can do.

And the national final for 20-men boats is more than a minute quicker …

We have a long way to go before we can compete at these levels.

Overall, we had a lot of fun … we took this photo of the ‘happy’ family at the end of the day.

Coming up: Corporate Community Games on 12 July and the Jurong Island Races on 26 July (which I will unfortunately miss). We are ready as both of these are true mixed competitions where we have a better chance of success.

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General

Photo Class Final Exam

Posted on 7 April, 200810 May, 2010 by pierreo

As I mentioned before, I just took a photo class. For the ‘final exam’ we are supposed to submit 24 photos taken recently either during a trip, or in one of the ‘touristy’ areas of Singapore. Since I will be returning from Japan after the deadline for this, I decided to do something on Chinatown. It forced me to look at this neighbourhood in a totally different way even though I had walked through it many times.
This is my “Day in the Life of Chinatown”

Bright Lights

Reflexions on the Singapore River

Tai-Chi in the Park

Jogging along the river (I have been seen doing that!)

Reading the morning paper

All is still quite …

Construction workers have not arrived yet

The market is already at full swing

No Comments…

Colorful Shutters

A montage of several local sights (this is also my first attempts at editing digital photos using Photoshop)

The young and the old (inspired by a photo in my parent’s kitchen)

Temple at sunset

Relaxing at the end of the day

Lines everywhere

Ready to party – at least some are…

Food, of course

More food

Chinatown by-night

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Culture, General, Sports

First Week-end in March

Posted on 4 March, 200810 May, 2010 by pierreo

I do apologise for the long silence. I guess I was busy getting ready for this week-end.

It started Friday evening (I agree, technically still February and not part of the week-end, but you will forgive me this literary liberty). That is when I attended the third class of a photography course I have been taking. This is mainly intended to let you take better pictures by knowing what to look for when taking pictures while travelling. It is intended for all levels of ability and the ‘instructor’ mainly taught by showing pictures that he has taken over the years and tells us why they are good, or not so good.

For the second session, he had asked us to provide three of our best pictures we had taken over the years. He would look at them and critique them in the class, telling us how we can improve them. I used these:

He liked the sunset in Freemantle, but indicated that he thought a better shot would have been one with a single light house and the sun right behind it. Using ‘Photoshop’, he re-created this picture I had also taken that evening.

My second pictures was this one:

He liked this star shot. Also indicated that this is something that cannot be done with a digital camera – indeed, my camera does not have a ‘B’ options. Maybe there is some use to keeping a film camera…

The third was just OK – he thought I should have cropped it closer to the face of the child.

Saturday morning was the Singapore Biathlon 2008. My starting time this year was 7:30 AM, an hour earlier than last year. Based on my training, which was very intensive, I really thought I had a chance to be around 1h20, about 8 minutes better than 2007. As usual, I am nervous and find it hard to sleep the night before, so I get up early and leave for the East Coast Park where the race is held. I arrive there at 6:15 AM, in plenty of time to register, get the numbers marked on my legs and arms, and than wait for the start.

Just like last year, the start of the swim was awful. I was trying to stay away from other people but could not. I was kicked, slapped, assaulted from behind and both sides and ultimately hit in the face to the point where I almost lost my goggles. I got out of the crowd and started to swim, and my breathing was so rushed that I could not even keep my normal rhythm. I tried to swim breast stroke, but even that was too much. I thought for a moment about quitting, but than got on my back and relaxed for about 30 seconds, probably no more than that.

It was enough to get me started. I slowly made progress in free-style and started to recover. By the halfway mark, I started feeling stronger, and I needed to as I also discovered that the current was strong, and against us on the way back to the start point. I pushed harder and started passing people – nobody was passing me. When I got back to the beach, my stopwatch showed me the bad news: 36 minutes, at least 8 more minutes than my swim time in 2007. All hopes of beating my time was already gone. I have no ideas where I stand against the ‘opposition’ – so I run to the transition area and get ready for the run.

I feel good! First three km in 16 minutes, first 5 km in 26 minutes – thast is about the timing I was hoping to keep. But than, for no reason, I slow down – I do the next 2 km in 12 minutes – too slow. So I accelerate and actually manage to finish the last 3 km in 16 minutes. My total run time was I think under 54 minutes, 4 quicker than last year. I finished at about 1h33, 5 minutes slower than last year.

My only hope, is that the swim was indeed harder and longer than last year – I cannot believe that my poor start (I had a poor start last year too) made me waste 8 minutes.

The results are out and while it looks like the swim was indeed tougher, I did not do better than last year. In 2007 I was 62nd out of 180 participants. This year I am 72nd out of 230 participants – about the same percentile.

I went home to take a shower and get ready for the rest of my week-end. I was not done yet.

On Saturday evening, we had one of two field trips for the photography class. It started at 5:30PM at the Merlion. The weather was against us – very cloudy and therefore flat light. We were first told to take an artistic shot anywhere in the area as long as the Merlion, or a part of it is visible. Here is one shot I took – it surprised me that with everything that is going on and all the subjects that she could be shooting, this lady is taking a picture of herself…

Next assignment – depth of field. Need to have the plaque, and the Merlion and the background all in focus. Easy with a point-and-shoot, but you have to know how with an SLR.

Third, assignment, take a single shot of the Stamford Hotel – pay articular attention to framing and composition.

I had actually taking this picture while we were waiting for the rest of the group to come and before he had give us the assignment because I found that the plants and lightposts and hotel made some interesting lines.

We finished the evening on the roof terrace of the Esplanade Theaters. I like this shot of the recently opened Singapore Flyer recently opened. It is only in a long exposure shot that you can actually see that it is moving – this one is not quite long enough…

On Sunday morning, we had the second field trip. This time 8:15 AM at Stamford Landing – the place where… I might as well let the picture tell the story

More assignments, more artsy shots. I just had to take this one of the Fullerton Hotel with a Belgian flag in front.

I wonder who is the VIP who justified this – it certainly was not me!

I like this one of Sir Thomas Stamfod Raffles looking down at and posing for a group of tourists…

Or this artsy shot of buildings

By Friday, I have to select 5 shots to submit for critiquing. I have not yet decided…

Any suggestions, please let me know – thanks in advance

(960 Page Views)

Culture

Yen Nee’s Wedding

Posted on 9 February, 200810 May, 2010 by pierreo

Last week, I attended Yen Nee’s wedding dinner at a local hotel. All Papillon was invited and we occupied two full tables.

I am not sure if other guests are glad that we attended – the bride and groom certainly seemed to enjoy our ‘entertainment’.

This is not the first Chinese wedding I have attended, but it was very much different from all the others. I never knew how much fun one can have with two eggs and two grapes. But I am getting ahead of myself.

For the entrance of the bride and groom, we had a series of ‘explosive’ confetti cannons – unfortunately, for you and me, I do not have any pictures – but the floor of the hotel ballroom looked quite different after our salvo (8 separate confetti shooters along the aisle). Throughout the dinner, we had many cheers for the new couple. Here is the full group of us

One big happy family. At the end of the dinner, it is customary for the bride and groom to go from table to table to greet guests. We were the last tables to be so honoured and we had a few surprises in store.

First the bride has to take two eggs, introduce them at the bottom of each pant leg of the groom and has to make them travel all the way to be extracted from his collar . Here is what is looks like:

At first it is rather easy…

but you have to be careful

The eggs did not break and so we were ready for the second exercise: the groom has to eat two grapes hanging from the neck of the bride

blindfolded, of course, and the grapes are kept moving …

We had an excellent time – I just fear that we may not be invited again to another celebration. It is clear that the hotel will ask for a supplement if we are involved again!

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General

Papillon Cycling

Posted on 27 January, 200810 May, 2010 by pierreo

I am back in Singapore after an extended trip to Belgium and France.

Christmas was a series of parties (three in total, including the Osterrieth gathering, where unfortunately only 60 people showed up) during which I was able to see most of my family. I also spent some time with friends and relatives outside of these parties. I always go to Belgium with mixed feelings – I am very glad to see family and friends, but it is not really a relaxing vacation, and I tend to eat too much.

After Belgium I spent two weeks in France. My mother was not very well, so I spent time with her and my father. I still managed to spend a week in “my house” – actually the first time that I stayed there as the ‘owner’ since I bought it from my parents in 2005. Rajan, Julie and Georgia joined me and we had very nice trips together to Avignon, Cassis and Digne-les-bains.

As I said, I am now back in Singapore where ‘normal’ activities have resumed. I am doing a lot of cycling, swimming and running, getting ready, right now, for the Biathlon which will be held at the beginning of March, but also looking forward to the Triathlon in July.

Last Saturday, Ben organised (very well I should say) a cycling outing for the whole extended Papillon Clan. We started on the East Coast Park with a Safety Briefing by Freddy

and then we cycled about 20 km to a first pit stop at Changi Beach

We actually ran into Richard (one of the team with whom I had done the ‘ironman’ triathlon last year) while we were relaxing – he was on his way back from Changi Point, where we were heading for refreshments

Some had 100 Plus – but Ben and Freddy brought me a beer. They know what I like! We also celebrated Samuel’s birthday with a cake and a song

We cycled back to the starting point but on the way, Ben and I bought some chicken rice and satay so we could have a pic-nic

It was a very civilised pic-nic, we also had excellent wine (one bottle of white and one bottle of red) and Belgian chocoloate!

At the end, we prepared a short video of the team and good wishes for Yen Nee’s upcoming wedding (this Sunday as a matter of fact). It was a very nice day out.

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General, Retrospective, Sports, Travel

A Business Trip than a 1/2 Marathon

Posted on 2 December, 200710 May, 2010 by pierreo

Soon after I came back from South Africa, I had to go to the UK on a business trip. Business travel can be exciting, and I am not one to refuse an opportunity to go on one. However the timing of this one could have been better. I was not looking forward to having repeated jet lags and being away the week before I was scheduled to run a 1/2 Marathon.

The trip went quite well, and 5 hours ago, I completed the run (my third for this distance) in my best ever time of 2 hours and 16 minutes, There were over 40000 participants in the full marathon, the 1/2 marathon and a 10k run. I waited at the finish line to see some of my friends finish their marathon and than we had lunch together. It was again a great experince.

But back to Business trips. They do not always turn out as expected. Here is the write up I made last year following a particularly eventful trip – all 100% true.

Business Trips.

Some people believe that they are glamorous and that anybody going on a lot of business trips must be very lucky. I do not necessarily disagree with this view – I have been on many business trips and enjoyed a few of these.

Here is an example of a recent experience I had.

The Concept:

Go to Italy for meetings with potential vendors at the end of June 2006.

The Plan – Version 1:

Fly to Milan on Friday evening to arrive on Saturday morning

Fly on to Marseille to spend the week-end with my parents in Cassis

Fly to Milan around midday on Monday and drive 240 km to Schio, where we have our first meeting on Tuesday

All day review with one vendor on Tuesday than drive 200 km to Bergamo

All day review with second vendor on Wednesday

Fly back to Singapore on Thursday.

The Plan – Version 2:

Fly to London on Friday evening to arrive Saturday Morning

Fly on to Marseille to spend the week-end with my parents in Cassis

Fly to London on Sunday afternoon

All day meetings on Monday in Reading, near London to organize the visits

Leave London around 5PM for Milan than drive 240 km to Schio. Expected arrival at hotel around 11PM

All day review with one vendor on Tuesday than drive 200 km to Bergamo

All day review with second vendor on Wednesday

Leave Milan around 7PM to go back to Reading. Expected arrival at hotel around 10PM

More meetings in Reading on Thursday to summarise meetings and decide on path forward

Leave London for Singapore on Thursday evening.

Reality:

Monday – a week before the trip: All flights from Singapore to Europe are fully booked for the week-end. I am on the waiting list for 6 different flights

Wednesday – three days before departure: One flight opens on Saturday evening, arriving in London on Sunday Morning. This does not give me enough time to go to Cassis so I am making alternate plans to visit Belgium instead.

Friday 2PM: I am told that there is a seat for me on the evening flight out of Singapore leaving at 11 PM

Friday 2:20 PM: I book a flight from London to Marseille via Paris with the local Singapore Air France agent, who wonders why I am going to London first – she had a good point.

Friday 2:40 PM: I book a rental car on-line at Marseille

Friday 2:45 PM: I tell my parents I am coming.

Friday 6:30 PM: I pack one small bag and my back-pack

Friday 9:00 PM: Off to the airport

Saturday 5:00 AM: Arrive in London Heathrow 45 minutes early. Big deal, it just means I have to wait an extra 45 minutes for my next flight to Paris.

Saturday 8:50 AM: Leave for Paris where I arrive at 10:50 local time.

Saturday 11:20 PM: The flight to Marseille is announced with 30 minutes delay.

Saturday 12:45 PM: Flight to Marseille leaves 45 minutes late.

Saturday 2:50 PM: Flight arrives in Marseille.

Saturday 3:30 PM: After long wait in line, I finally have my car.

Saturday 4:30 PM: Arrive at my parent’s house.

Saturday: Some shopping, lot’s of talking, good dinner, local news and finally to bed.

Sunday: More shopping, excellent lunch in the old port.

Sunday 2:00 PM: Leave for the airport.

Sunday 4:30 PM: Leave for Paris.

Sunday 7:30 PM: Arrive London – no problems in Paris.

Sunday 9:00 PM: Arrive at the Hilton Heathrow Airport, after 30 minute wait for my luggage, a 15 minute walk to the train, a 10 minute wait at the train station, a 5 minute train ride, another 10 minute walk to the hotel and a 20 minute wait to check-in.

Monday 7:00 AM: Car takes me to Reading for an 8:00 AM meeting.

Monday: Several more meetings and discussions during the day.

Monday 3:15 PM Leave for Heathrow Airport.

Monday 6:30 PM: The plane finally taxis away from the gate.

Monday 6:45 PM: The plane taxis back to the gate.

Monday 7:00 PM: We disembark into busses.

Monday 7:35 PM: We are finally allowed to leave the busses, not having any idea what has happened or what will happen next.

Monday 7:40 PM: As I wait for my luggage, I call our travel agent (we have a 24 hr emergency number we can use – the agent seems to have an Australian accent!) to see when I can get the next plane to Milan. Not tonight, but the first plane in the morning leaves at 7:30 AM. I ask her to book it and a room at the Hilton Heathrow for tonight.

Monday 7:55 PM: Still no luggage so I call the Hotel in Schio to cancel my reservation there and to leave a message for the rest of the group not to expect me that evening.

Monday 8:15 PM: I finally get my luggage and head for the British Airways Ticketing office to confirm what is happening.

Monday 8:30 PM: Reservation for 7:35 flight the next day is confirmed. They will not pay for the Hilton as they will be making other arrangements for all passengers soon – I have been in that situation before, waiting hours for all passengers to be ready to move etc… I tell them not to bother as I will be in the Hilton.

Monday 9:05 PM: Arrive in my room at the Hilton after a 15 minute walk, no wait for the train station, a 5 minute train ride, a 10 minute walk to the hotel and fortunately only 5 minutes to check-in.

Monday 9:30 PM: Dinner at the hotel.

Tuesday 5:00 AM: Wake up call

Tuesday 5:20 AM: Check out

Tuesday 5:40 AM: Train to terminal 1

Tuesday 6:00 AM: Check in to airport

Tuesday 6:20 AM: Call travel agent to ask them to arrange rental car in Milan (change the reservation I had for the day before) – same Australian accent???

Tuesday 7:30 AM: The plane taxis off – good sign

Tuesday 7:40 AM: The plane actually takes off – we are making progress.

Tuesday 10:30 AM: Arrive Milano Linate

Tuesday 10:40 AM: Message from the travel agent tells me they were not able to get me a car. I call back and they have only checked with National, not Avis or Hertz. They suggest that it will be easiest for me to make arrangements directly at the airport.

Tuesday 11:10 AM: With my bag, I go to National where I indicate that I had a reservation (for the night before) and would like a car. They only have a Mercedes C220 available, which I gladly accept.

Tuesday 11:30 AM: On my way to Schio

Tuesday 1:15 PM: After driving 240 km (yes, in less than 2 hours), I am close to the plant, but cannot find it. Fortunately the secretary is able to guide me by phone – I am glad I had packed my ‘hands-free’ device, and that I can converse in Italian.

Tuesday 1:30 PM: I join the meeting already underway since 8 AM

Tuesday 6:30 PM: The meeting finally breaks up and we leave for Bergamo

Tuesday 8:45 PM: Arrive in Bergamo after 200 km in a three-car convoy, occasionally driving as fast as 160 km/h

Tuesday 9:00 PM: Group dinner (for 8 people) on the top floor of the hotel with a beautiful view of the Cita Alta. Who says you do not get to do any sightseeing on a business trip?

Wednesday 6:30 AM: Wake up call and early breakfast. At breakfast, we find out that one of our team members forgot some key papers in Schio and left very early to go get them. He will not be back before 11:00 AM so we will have to start the meeting without him.

Wednesday 8:30 AM: Get to second vendor shop and start meeting.

Wednesday 4:05 PM: Time to go back to the airport.

Wednesday 6:15 PM: We are all back at the airport, having returned the rental cars and checked-in to our flights. We have our first opportunity to discuss and summarise the meetings and see where we stand while we are all in the same place.

Wednesday 7:40 PM: The plane finally leaves the gate 40 minutes late because one passenger was supposed to be on an Alitalia flight instead of the British Airways flight. Even after three checks of Boarding Pass and Passport, nobody had noticed the error!

Wednesday 10 PM: Arrival at the Holiday Inn South in Reading. I change and go to sleep immediately.

Wednesday 11:36 PM: