Westfield Elevens

Anyone else going?
November 12th - 14th this year.

Hadn't thought about it, but sounds a good idea. Let's see how things look closer to the date.

Don't think I'll be able to make it, I'm off to China sometime round then.

Lucky Man,

I'd rather be going to China than the NEC.....

Really? I'd rather go to the NEC (I hear the food's better). Unfortunately this is a work trip, out Weds back on Sat, better than my boss who had to fly out and back over 2 days just to sign some paperwork but still, it's a hell of a way to go for a couple of days with no chance to sightsee.

I'd be interested to hear how you find China. We're doing a lot out there (as you probably know) and I suspect it's not long before I have to visit. Off to the US for two weeks Saturday - I know how it is there.

no chance to sightsee.

That would make it less interesting I admit.

I think I'm going to aim for Saturday - if anyone else might be there on the same day and wants to meet up, let me know.
I'll be the one clutching a set of silicon radiator pipes and wishing I'd had them posted instead...

erictharg wrote:I'd be interested to hear how you find China. We're doing a lot out there (as you probably know) and I suspect it's not long before I have to visit. Off to the US for two weeks Saturday - I know how it is there.

Well China was interesting. The flight out was a nightmare as for some reason I just couldn't sleep, so woke up at 06:40 Tuesday got into bed at 23:00 Wednesday and managed to sleep for about 3 hours. Spent the next couple of days zapping round the city meeting suppliers, lawyers, accountants and the bank. The food was great, well I liked it, my colleagues were less impressed. The factory I went round was completely different to how I imagined, very tidy, clean and well run. People I met were very friendly, some of the other locals were slightly less so, so some of the meals were a bit of a spectator sport.

China itself was slightly odd, we went into a large new shopping arcade for lunch one day, loads of really posh designer shops but completely devoid of customers. The buildings themselves look good at a distance but up close they start to look slightly shabby. Air quality was dire, very much a case of smog city.

Oh, don't ever hire a car. The standard of driving was diabolical, mopeds (and cars) going the wrong way down the roads, (and at night headlights were an option), cars changing lane without indication, roundabouts were a joke I mean why should you stop? Pedestrian crossings were used by everyone, people, bikes, mopeds and completely ignored by car and lorry drivers. Riding in a taxi driven by a local was terrifying enough, driving yourself would be a great way to induce heart failure.