As a family we often watch a series called Biggest Loser USA, which is a weight loss programme… it is interesting to see the contestants go through a kind of boot camp, with lots of exercise and eating the right foods. Over 16 weeks you can see some dramatic changes. Of course in the USA there are no shortage of possible contestants… So, as I have been in Chicago for about 3 hours, and feel pretty slim by general comparison

I am out on the States for a week, first of all Chicago, then later in the week Houston. It’s my first trip abroad with BP, and it seems they like to look after their staff. A car was arranged to pick me up from home this morning, and take me to Heathrow. The driver was a nice guy (abdul was his name), but he had his sat nav switched off for some reason, and got lost in Aylesbury and then Amersham, and I had to redirect him. My flight was booked as business class travel, and so I was able to enjoy the business lounge whilst waiting for the flight (well when I say enjoy, they had football on one tv screen, and Wolves were beating West Brom, which was bad news for my team West Ham, almost certainly relegated now). The plane was a fairly new Boeing 777, and the business class travel area was pretty good. Loads of legroom and a reclining seat. I was given a glass of champagne getting on… in fact the alcohol was pretty much on tap. And some people seemed to take advantage. I held back, I had a small glass of red wine with my meal but that was it. I sat and watched the new version of True Grit on the inflight entertainment (which I enjoyed), and then put the seat back, had my feet up, and dozed / slept for a few hours. The flight was very smooth and landed in Chicago at 5:40 pm local time, 11:40 pm UK time.

It took ages to get through passport control. The queue went on for ever. Eventually I emerged, and called the car company to pick me up and take me to my hotel where I am presently writing this blog from. Hotel room is quite nice. Tomorrow morning I get to look around a couple of our American Data Centres.

It will seem a quiet week in North Marston, as it is just Tricia and Ellie at home this week. Having said that, Tricia is going to be busy with a couple of catering jobs.

Friday evening Ellie and I went to an evening reviewing our last MADS production. Then on Saturday evening Tricia and I had some friends over for dinner.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROB

Robbie turned 19 on Thursday, his first birthday away from home.. he is home next weekend, so we will catch up with him then.

Nikki was on her placement for the first part of the week, which seems to be going quite well. Then Thu and Fri she was with the bobsleigh squad at McLaren F1 team hq in Woking… and got to touch Lewis Hamiltons car ! Sounds like she had a great time. She has her final exams coming up, and is revising hard…

I should also note that Ellie was very pleased with getting 20/20 in her mental maths test this week.