Easter in London so far...
Been here 5 days and so far really enjoyed myself! Things to report of note:
Just wanted to mention that it's fun to work in a different office sometimes - especially when you get cake :-) Although the dress code in London is significantly higher than it is in our Manchester office - I think a number of people will get a bit of a shock when both the Manchester offices merge into a brand new Spinningfields building in the summer as we'll have to smarten up a bit - at the moment there are a number of folk who certainly emphasise the 'casual' part of business casual!Just wanted to mention that it's fun to work in a different office sometimes - especially when you get cake :-) Although the dress code in London is significantly higher than it is in our Manchester office - I think a number of people will get a bit of a shock when both the Manchester offices merge into a brand new Spinningfields building in the summer as we'll have to smarten up a bit - at the moment there are a number of folk who certainly emphasise the 'casual' part of business casual!
As part of trying to be a little cultured, and having a few hours to kill on a wet Good Friday afternoon in London by myself, I decided to visit the National Portrat Gallery and also the National Gallery. And my conclusion is, having done both, is that I'm really not an art appreciator. Some of it I can look at it and admire the talent of the artist - for example there was a portrait depicting the House of Lords during the trial of Queen Caroline which was incredibly detailed (www.artfund.org/artwork/118/enlarged/1/the-trial-of-queen-caroline-in-the-house). Or there is some that are so famous that it's worth the effort to go and see e.g. Constable's The Haywain and Van Gogh's Sunflowers. But ultimately, no I have to say that I don't get art which is a shame as I know there is probably a lot out there to appreciate.
Friend of mine at work recommended this - and it was a bonus getting a last minute half price ticket about 8 rows from the front in the stalls. Really wasn't quite sure what to expect, especially as I've not been to see a musical in years. However, I have to say that it definitely grew on me as the evening progressed and by the end I had become totally engrossed in the story and was loving the actors doubling as musicians with the musical instruments often used as props. Would definitely like to try and catch some more musicals in the future although this might be a hobby I have to pursue on my own as it's really not fair dragging smescrater along with me!
This is something I've not done enough of in recent months - and in fact probably not in recent years. Whilst being down here I've realised that actually people don't live that far away - and certainly the majority of visits can be achieved in a weekend. So many many apologies to the friends I've promised to come and see and not managed it - I will definitely make sure that I rectify this in the not too distant future. I know I've got the majority of you on Facebook but that's still not quite the same as visiting in person. Oh - and of course it goes without saying that if any of you find yourselves in the Manchester area, on purpose or by accident, do get in touch and come and say hello :-)
Anyway, tomorrow we're meeting lursa_esk and chiselwright for lunch and then there may well be a bit of shopping in my future - spotted a cool pair of Sketchers trainers on Friday that I'm very tempted by. Yes, I am becoming a girl and this is very scary! Next thing you know I'll be into handbags!