Apollo Blinds Hamilton Blog

I’m off to London.

I travelled down to London, Monday 26th. And arrived 24 hours early for my meeting, with the judges from the Brittish Franchise Association led by  Sir Bernard Ingham and senior managers of HSBC and Express Newspapers.

I’m in London.

I arrived at the London city airport for 11.45am, the hotel was only a mile away so i decided to walk. I don’t know London and didn’t have a map,  it was going to be an adventure. The first landscape i came across was the Thames Barrier Park.  Just as i got close enough to take some pictures it started to rain heavily, i opened my travel bag, got out my waterproof. I started to take some photo’s but the weather was not in my favour, so it was off to the Royal Victoria docks. I had a room booked at the Novotel but could not check in till 2pm. I arrived at the docks for 1pm. By that time the rain had stopped, so the camera came out again. From there i could see the 02 Arena (dome) and the HSBC Building in Canary Wharf . I walked around the docks, climbed over a bridge and also walked around the Excel Exhibition Centre.  As soon as it was 2pm i was at the reception desk to check in, i was eager to explore by foot more of London.

Just me and my camera.

It felt good to off load my bag, just armed with my camera. I left the hotel. I walked in the direction of the Dome crossing a busy road and over a bridge. I was high above the Dome which was on my left side walking towards Canary Wharf, i photographed it from many points and then preceded to head in the direction of the Canary Wharf. Passing a sign for the Isle of Dogs i arrived. “Londons banking district!”… i walked through trying to take in as many sights and pictures as i could. After suffering a sore neck brought on by looking up at all the tall buildings, it was time to find the Thames river. I walked along the Thames passing some of the sights i have only ever seen on television. On reaching Westminster i managed to take pictures of  Tower bridge, Millennium bridge, HMS Belfast, London eye, Westminster palace and of course Big Ben. Over the Westminster bridge,  i strolled to the London Eye where i boarded a river cruiser. I was floating down the Thames back the same way i walked. Taking pictures like a manic tourist, pushing other manic tourist’s for best position, at the rear of the boat, for best photo shots. Got off at Canary Wharf and walked back the same route. Arrived back at the hotel for 7pm had a shower and then met up with Apollo Blinds general manager  Gary Chambers . Had a large dinner and then off to my bed for 9.30pm.

27th July 8am.. D-day

My mobile alarm clock told me it was 8am. I didn’t sleep well but felt ok. I rose from my bed and went for breakfast. Then it was time to get ready… Shower,  suit and bags packed, somehow we arrive an hour early at the HSBC building. After passing through the security and shown where to sit, it reminded me of an airport. I could have smoked a hundred cigarettes but it was to much hassle to get in and out of the building. Any ways it passed, “the time just flew in” I was summoned to go up to the 15th floor and be judged. On leaving the lift i was handcuffed and taken to a holding room. Gary was escorted away with two stunning models “smiling”..where the other two finalists are enjoying coffee and cake. No sooner was i seated when i was ushered into another room put in a seat and tied. Before me was Sir Bernard Ingham and senior managers of HSBC. “I did not feel intimidated!”. I told them of my plan the “modus operadi plan!”… I’m sure sir Bernard was snoring after 5 mins. But something special happened in the room, A lovely lady named Cathrine released my ties and handcuffs. I was freed, taken to another room and photographed and then gave a filmed confession. Gary and i where back on the streets, we headed for a tube train. Gary got off a couple of stops before me. I had 5 hours to kill.

I belong to Glasgow.

I had 5 hours before i could board a plane back to Glasgow. So i got off the tube at Green street, dressed in a three piece suit, shirt and tie, carrying what now was feeling like a bag of bricks. Sunshine burning into my neck and face, i went on a walking, sight seeing tour of London. Somehow managed to get to the Buckingham Palace gates. Then the skies let go and soaked me, it was time for drastic action. I climbed the steps of a monument across from the Palace, opened my bag and got changed. Jeans and tee shirt i was revived. I then Ended up in Hyde park, i bought a hot dog, chocolate muffin and a coffee. Sat on a bench and had a squirrel for company… “Taxi to London City Airport!” Home!!!

September 30th

I will attend the gala ball in Birmingham on the 30th sept to find out if i have won. Maybe i will tell you my “modus operandi plan!”…. on my Facebook or even my twitter sites and hey its free.

Tags: apollo blinds, BFA, blog, Brittish Franchise Association, facebook, Glasgow, twitter

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 31st, 2010 at 11:21 am and is filed under Blinds, Uncategorised. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.