London (again)
Went to the Institute of Physics Awards Dinner with Martin Evans on Thursday night at the Savoy in London and I had a really good time :-D Martin and I managed to find a whole load of things to talk about the whole night. Obviously assisted by copious amounts of alcohol (I love the waiters at the Savoy - if your wine glass was more than half empty they'd appear at your elbow and refill your glass without even asking!!!!!)
Had a loooong lie-in the next morning. All of my colleagues had gone back to Bristol but I'd booked the afternoon off. Which I then spent in a meeting at IoP HQ for "Young Professionals". That lasted most of the afternoon and then we went to the pub. I then met Alan once he finished his work (was staying with him). We had a couple of drinks and I met some of his colleagues who are all very nice. Then Matt came down and met us at the pub and he was exposed to the phenomenon that is Alan :-) That night me and Matt went out for dinner and then out for a few drinks. I had a really good time with him.
Next day me, Alan and his housemate Russell took the boat down to Greenwich and we went to the observatory. Alan wanted a picture of him straddling GMT... unfortunately the observatory was closed by the time we got there. We then had a wander about Greenwich and got the DLR back to their house (which took FOREVER). That night Alan and I went for dinner with Laura and her sister (it was their birthday) and some of their friends. Na was there too and it was really good to see her! Food was good (stir-fried squid starter - YUM) and I had a really good laugh. After dinner Alan and I met up with the guys he lives with and a couple of their friends at a nearby bar/club. The place was nice and there were definitely some interesting conversations going on but the music SUCKED! The mixing was terrible!
Didn't really do anything in London today as I had to get the train back here.
Now have to go plan a Burns supper for Tuesday night (I'm cooking dinner for 7 of my colleagues - yes I am mental). They're expecting some Ceilidh dancing too!
Will be back in London next weekend to go to the Ceilidh Club with Lau, Na and Alan and whoever else we can drag along. We definitely seem to have an "Ex-Edinburgh Physicists" support group thing going on :-D
Had a loooong lie-in the next morning. All of my colleagues had gone back to Bristol but I'd booked the afternoon off. Which I then spent in a meeting at IoP HQ for "Young Professionals". That lasted most of the afternoon and then we went to the pub. I then met Alan once he finished his work (was staying with him). We had a couple of drinks and I met some of his colleagues who are all very nice. Then Matt came down and met us at the pub and he was exposed to the phenomenon that is Alan :-) That night me and Matt went out for dinner and then out for a few drinks. I had a really good time with him.
Next day me, Alan and his housemate Russell took the boat down to Greenwich and we went to the observatory. Alan wanted a picture of him straddling GMT... unfortunately the observatory was closed by the time we got there. We then had a wander about Greenwich and got the DLR back to their house (which took FOREVER). That night Alan and I went for dinner with Laura and her sister (it was their birthday) and some of their friends. Na was there too and it was really good to see her! Food was good (stir-fried squid starter - YUM) and I had a really good laugh. After dinner Alan and I met up with the guys he lives with and a couple of their friends at a nearby bar/club. The place was nice and there were definitely some interesting conversations going on but the music SUCKED! The mixing was terrible!
Didn't really do anything in London today as I had to get the train back here.
Now have to go plan a Burns supper for Tuesday night (I'm cooking dinner for 7 of my colleagues - yes I am mental). They're expecting some Ceilidh dancing too!
Will be back in London next weekend to go to the Ceilidh Club with Lau, Na and Alan and whoever else we can drag along. We definitely seem to have an "Ex-Edinburgh Physicists" support group thing going on :-D