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Friday, March 14, 2014

I've always said that breast is best...


... particularly with regard to chicken, but having spent all day yesterday in London with a well established breast man and a few gorgeous looking birds, I'm feeling that sentiment more strongly than ever.

The birds in question were mostly ducks on the Regent's Canal, which was situated about two feet from my chair...


I had to sit with my back to the window so as not to be distracted by the view, the sunshine, and the narrow boats gliding gently past our table. The room itself looked like this...


That one's a publicity photo. In reality, it was decorated more for nipples than nuptials, but I did spend all day by that pillar. It's nice to have something to lean on. Especially when you've eaten too many sandwiches from the buffet.

Anyhoo, yesterday was actually a very good day. It didn't start particularly well, but I'm learning to accept that although I only use trains about four times a year, at least three of those trips will include breakdowns, cancellations or five-hour delays. So having come to terms with that fact, yesterday doesn't seem so bad.

The 8:13am train from Brighton arrived on time, departed on time, and made it to within two miles of Crawley with no problems whatsoever. Unfortunately, at that point the driver announced that due to unforeseen difficulties, it would be terminating at Gatwick - and promptly chucked us all off. I expect he had a plane to catch.

Fortunately the next train to London arrived within ten minutes. Unfortunately it was so full, I couldn't get on it. But having finally squeezed onto the third train to grace us with its presence, I made it up to London a mere half an hour later than planned, which, in comparison with previous records, is pretty much on time. A quick dash up the Northern Line, a sprint past Camden Market, and I made it to the Holiday Inn by the Regent's Canal in time to register my arrival and grab a coffee before the training day began.

And an excellent training day it was too. I spent seven hours learning at the feet of this man, whilst picking the brains of a former eye screening programme manager, and chatting to sonographers, newborn hearing screeners and AAA practitioners. Who have excellent credit ratings. I learnt how to interview, produce reports, and be a 'critical friend' (I was halfway there already), whilst being taught about 'Door Handle Questions' and the 'Calgary Cambridge Model', which states that angry people will rant for no more than three minutes. Unless you interrupt them.

By the end of the day I'd made some very useful contacts, learnt some invaluable stuff, and met a lot of very lovely people. Some of whom seemed to like me. I was very impressed with the whole thing. And I'm not just saying that because it was free. It was excellent from start to finish, and despite the complete lack of breasts, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. Although next time I might not go by train.

1 comments:

Phil's Mum said...

I think British Rail see you coming. But, other than that, I'm glad it was such a worthwhile day.