travelog

Jordan International Bank Plc - London, UK - July 2022

8/8/2022

Hair by Gino at Truefitt & Hill; tie from Hermes; shirt from Turnbull & Asser; suit from Ede & Ravenscroft and experience from the Bank of England; Bermuda; Qatar; Cyprus; Cayman Islands & at Citi

I am proud to be able announce that in July 2022 I joined the Board of Jordan International Bank Plc. As an Independent Non-Executive Director, I Chair this UK bank's Audit Committee & also sit on their Risk Committee.

I view this as a great honour and a chance to fully utilise the experience I gained at the Bank of England; in Bermuda; Qatar; Cyprus; Cayman Islands and at Citi.

Next week I head to Panama; Colombia & New York. In Bogota I will stay at Four Seasons and in New York at Four Seasons, Downtown and Mandarin Oriental, Manhattan.

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Another Dream Comes True! London, UK - June 2022

29/6/2022

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I was introduced to Wolfgang Puck at 45 Park Lane.

I met Anthony Bourdain at the Ritz-Carlton in Cayman Islands; Marco Pierre White at the Threadneedles Hotel in the City of London; Gordon Ramsay at the Four Seasons in Doha; Tim Raue in Berlin; Antonio Guida from Mandarin Oriental, Milan at the Mandarin Oriental in Taipei; Eric Ripert at the Ritz-Carlton in Cayman Islands again; and was introduced to Wolfgang Puck at 45 Park Lane last week. I wonder which chef I will meet next?!

This evening I travel to Shrewsbury, Shropshire again. Family matters call.

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Flying in Saudia's First Class Suites from Riyadh to London, Heathrow - June 2022

27/6/2022

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I was shocked by how small & dated King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh is. The Alfusan Business Class lounge was fine.

On the 777-300 the wood trim in my First Class suite looked worn. There were no menus and, despite an on-board chef & butler, I was told there was nothing on offer for dinner.

However, chef & butler were friendly & helpful and made my bed up for me. I put on my silky feeling Missoni pyjamas and got a few hours sleep.

In the morning there were some problems getting my bedding cleared away, with demanding Saudi passengers taking priority. However, I managed to get a second Missoni wash bag for my Panama host. It was another plane where the onboard WiFi did not work.

No menus made breakfast ordering complicated. With no alcohol served on these flights, I assumed fresh juices and the best of Saudi cuisine would be showcased. However, the orange juice served was low quality processed, the date dry & tasteless and the eggs dry & powdery. On the more positive side, the warm pastries were excellent and it was the first time I have been served coffee in a cafetière / French Press on a plane.

Hope the photos below explain why this was a '4 teddy' (🐻🐻🐻🐻) experience, despite my luggage being severely damaged. Tips:- specifically ask for the cafetière/ French Press, I was just given a cup of coffee until I asked about this. If you do not have coins for the luggage trolley at Paddington, ask a member of staff. They can release them for free. With a desert rose etc in my luggage, this was a godsend.

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Mandarin Oriental, Msheireb, Doha - An Exquisite New Doha Hotel - Doha, Qatar - June 2022

26/6/2022

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A combination of the refined taste of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser & the David Collins Studio mean Mandarin Oriental, Msheireb, Doha is a jewel of a hotel.

My stay blew my mind but I tried to do too much. I managed to meet a number of former colleagues, and important contacts, but there was no time to see Saif Al Thani, who I used to mentor. As I had to tell him, next time.

Still miss my butler Fiona; treasure my Mandarin Oriental yukata (Japanese robe); ate the best 'club floor food' of my life in the MO Club and cannot compliment hotel Manager Thomas enough. We first met at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and he is a consummate hotel professional. It was also an honour to, finally, meet GM Martin. Lastly I HAVE to thank Chef Jonas for my personalised raspberry sorbet.

A '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) better than perfect stay. Hope the photos below explain this from the personalised balloons in my Maybach; to the rose petals & Media Room in my suite; nitrogen frozen fruit treats by the pool; my face on the ice cream tubs and a farewell like no other. Tips: order the a la carte dumplings at breakfast; make sure you can use the MO Club and visit AmBAR & Gelato.

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Four Seasons, Doha Returns To Its Former Glory - Doha, Qatar - June 2022

23/6/2022

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I felt very privileged to be staying at Four Seasons, Doha, as Qatar prepared to host the 2022 World Cup.

This Four Seasons has a very special place in my heart. I moved to Qatar in 2005, just as it was opening and got to know Four Seasons legend Simon Casson, its first GM.

The Pierre-Yves Rochon refurbishment has lightened & refreshed the whole look and Hermes bath products are a welcome change. However, the refurbishment is not yet complete & so a detailed account is not appropriate.

I would like to thank Milos for looking after my friends & me so well, including refreshing my Veuve Clicquot champagne and GM Shadi for our fascinating chat.

I have sent the hotel some suggestions (eg reintroduce frozen grapes at the pool) and hope to stay again, after the Libary Bar & Cigar Lounge has reopened.

Hope the photos below explain why this was a '6 teddy' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) stay, despite the on-going refurbishment. Tips:- this is a resort hotel & so your sleep may be disturbed by music. If the lights from the new fire prevention systems cause problems, alert the hotel, they can do something to reduce this problem.

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'flydubai' Business Class Flight from Dubai to Doha - A Very Pleasant Surprise - Doha, Qatar - June 2022

22/6/2022

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Real champagne & this food on a less than one hour flight. Cannot recommend 'flydubai' enough.

My Burj Khalifa host in Dubai warned me not to expect much from flydubai Business Class on this short flight. I was thrilled to find that, for once, he was wrong.

The journey to Dubai World Central ('DWC')/ Al Maktoum International Airport is longer but was a dream in my Tesla Model X with Falcon Wing doors.

Check-in was COVID-19 stressful but, armed with perfect advice from Natallia at Four Seasons, Doha, it ended up being fine.

The 'flydubai' Business Class lounge at DWC was spacious with hot food, 'free' alcoholic drinks and spotlessly clean. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines at Schipol to note.

On the short flight the crew could not have been more helpful. Even helping me plug my iPhone 12 Pro into the power, without me having to ask. With real champagne and delicious snacks, the flight was too short.

At Hamad International Airport Immigration in Doha I had problems with the Iris Recognition again. After similar problems arriving in Dubai, I started wonder if the comments that my eyes being blue/ too small was an issue could be right.

The Four Seasons, Doha BMW was waiting for me at the other end and it all worked like clockwork.

Hope the photos below help to justify why this was a true '6 teddy' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) experience that I would strongly recommend. Tip:- get good COVID-19 advice before travelling and then stick to this, if challenged.

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Staying on the 70th Floor of Burj Khalifa; A Red Carpet Welcome at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach; Lunch at Burj Al Arab & Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai - Unbelievable Dubai - Dubai, UAE - May/ June 2022

7/6/2022

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When the 163 floors of the iconic Burj Khalifa were first being built, I never dreamt I would one day be staying in a friend's place on the 70th Floor. It is still the tallest man-made structure in the world. I took breakfast during the trip at Giorgio Armani's Armani Hotel Dubai on the concourse level of Burj Khalifa.

This Dubai trip was a whirlwind of special events and so, for the first time, rated three cover photos.

As in Perth, my host took me to a concert. This time at Dubai Opera with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra featuring cellist Narek Hakhazaryan. His performance was mesmerising; and birthday lunches at SAL Beach Club at Jumeirah's Burj Al Arab and Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen & Bar at Atlantis The Palm Dubai. It was an excellent Sunday lunch at the latter

I only gave Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah a few hours notice that I intended to visit them but they still rolled out the red carpet and Federico, Valerie & Nina entertained me perfectly in their Hendricks Bar and showered me with phenomenal gifts; and also need to mention GM Werner, Joachim & Kevin GM of Netsu by Chef Ross Shonhan at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai. The Wagyu Truffle Sando was a Wagyu beef & truffles sandwich I am still dreaming about and talking to Kevin about his Beanie Baby collecting mother & Werner about Elbow Beach Resort & Spa in Bermuda were unexpected delights.

A true '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) awe-inspiring/ jaw-dropping experience. Need to thank my Barcelona & Burj Khalifa host and Four Seasons & Mandarin Oriental from the bottom of my heart. My Tip:- go at a cooler time of year. Hope you enjoy the photos below. I also have video of the Dubai Fountains etc

My red carpet welcome at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah. Thanks to Messrs Sharp & Casson, I first stayed at this Four Seasons before it was open to the public but even I was astonished by my welcome back on this trip.

Sally's birthday lunch at Burj Al Arab is an afternoon I will never forget. You can even spot my anti-Social Media Burj Khalifa host in this photo

The majestic Burj Khalifa. Photo taken from The Burj Club pool

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Flying With KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - A First & Last Time? - Dubai, UAE - May 2022

26/5/2022

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My seat on the Boeing 777-200 to Dubai. It looked new & went fully flat. Perfect for the just under 7 hour flight to Dubai

I was so excited about my first flights with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Leaving from London City Airport is so convenient for my Barbican place; I had heard great things about their Business Class lounge in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol; the exemplary service and quirky details such a clog salt & pepper shakers & the BOLS Blue Delf Amsterdam houses given away.

The reality was far more mixed. A delay on the London City Airport to Schiphol route was blamed on staff shortages at Amsterdam airport and I assume that is why the KLM Crown Lounge at Schiphol was in such a mess. The upstairs terrace where you can sit outside was awesome but the bar was closed at 1:30pm & I was surrounded by dirty cocktail glasses. Hardly the additional thorough cleaning promised relating to Covid-19.

Food on both flights was mouthwateringly good but service on the second plane erratic to the point of being poor. Being asked if you minded switching to the vegetarian option, after just experiencing the dirtiest Business Class lounge of my life, left me speechless and, when I refused, led to a strained relationship with the crew for most of the rest of the flight. Luckily watching 'Belfast' and the 'Trust' TV Series, with Donald Sutherland playing Getty, took my mind off all this.

Some time ago I agreed with Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong that criticising is far too easy and to be avoided. If I do not like something, just do not feature it in my blog. However, the BOLS Blue Delf Amsterdam house will take a proud place on my Barbican coffee table and so I hope the photos below help to explain why.

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April 2022 & The Promise of New Possibilities to Build a Brighter Future - London/ Shrewsbury

28/4/2022

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Veuve Clicquot managed to trademark the 'yellow' colour Pantone 137c used since 1877 & I am proud to have a mug commemorating this and their 250th Anniversary.

I have completed my contract with Citi and am now on a break. I intend to use the next few months to help mum more and visit friends in Dubai, Doha & Panama.

So excited that I will get to stay on the 70th Floor of the Burj Khalifa.; in a suite at the refurbished Four Seasons, Doha & at the new Mandarin Oriental, Doha. Just as in Madrid, I will be able to compare the Four Seasons & Mandarin offerings.

April 2022 has been quite a month. I have eaten the best Easter Egg of my life at The Ivy, West Street. It was filled with creamy passion fruit & served on a Kataif nest. My Veuve Clicquot breakfast at 'The Sunny Side Up Cafe' pop-up was memorable too. Chef Andi (Andrea) Oliver's Waffles with spiced maple syrup were delicious and hearing Canadian singer Charlotte Cardin's reinterpretation of The Beatles song 'Good Day Sunshine', celebrating #SolaireCulture, was inspiring.

Hope you enjoy the photos below & I am looking forward to some more '7 teddy' experiences over the new few months.

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A Very Special Birthday - March & April 2022 - London/ Shrewsbury

11/4/2022

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Cannot thank my mother, Kathy, Alejandro, Four Seasons, John & Bilal, Jolee etc enough for all they did to help to make it such a memorable birthday again.

Hope the photos below help to demonstrate that it was another '7 teddy' birthday

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February & March 2022 - Birthdays & Visiting Dad - London & Shrewsbury

6/3/2022

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I adore my flat in The Barbican filled with so many happy hotel memories. The Dorchester hotel bed there helps.

The start of March, my birthday month, was overshadowed by a period of non-COVID-19 illness.

February 2022 was a month where I managed to spoil my exceptional mum for her birthday and visit my dad in Shropshire.

In London I ate lunch at The Wolseley again, always better than I remember; had breakfast at 45 Park Lane, reading The Wall Street Journal in paper form for the first time in years & tried Silverleaf, the Pan Pacific, London, which reminded me of the bar at Four Seasons, Seoul, far from a bad thing.

I also sent my remarkable godson Miles an Easter chocolate gift to celebrate his recovery from COVID-19.

Must mention how thrilled I am that John Scanlon is going to be the new General Manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel. He really deserves this but I will really miss him here in London.

Hope the photos below evidence another Si Frew perfect 6 weeks, despite my busy new job and a bout of bad illness.

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Our First Christmas Without Dad at Home - November & December 2021 and January 2022 - Shrewsbury & London

2/1/2022

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With so many complex gifts, Maria needed her full concentration during our Christmas Day lunch.

November & December 2021 were a whirlwind. The fact I signed the contract for my new banking job at The Rosewood Hotel, London, and started my new role in Canary Wharf in December, means 2022 should start well for me.

November 2021 included a meeting at The Guildhall to represent Barbican residents; a visit to The English National Opera to see HMS Pinafore; a Chinese breakfast at Four Seasons Hotel Ten Trinity Square before The Lord Mayor's Show etc

December included seeing The Dior Christmas Tree at Claridge's; being given the 2021 Harrods Christmas teddy bear by the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park; trying the new scones at Four Seasons on Park Lane before their public launch; Christmas shopping for Maria at Hamleys etc

Christmas itself was our first without dad at home. However, mum & I were able to visit him on Christmas Eve & again before I returned to work in London. His granddaughter Maria flew in from Moscow again and we had a very special family Christmas with her.

Hope the photos below convince you it has been a '7 teddy' few months, despite COVID-19. I am double vaccinated and have had my booster shot & flu jab.

Happy New Year to all the readers of this blog. I really value all your support.

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I Had Forgotten Quite What an Awesome City Barcelona is - Barcelona, Spain - October 2021

1/11/2021

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I stayed at my friend's elegant place but I had to revisit the Mandarin Oriental. I stayed there two years after it opened & meeting General Manager Jean Philippe was a real pleasure.

I travelled from Madrid to Barcelona on the high speed Ren Fe train. It only took 2 /12 hours but it was not really worth paying for Premium Class, as I was still even charged for water.

In Barcelona I got to see lampposts designed by Gaudi but it is Antoni Gaudi's, still unfinished, Sagrada Familia that must been seen and it is well worth paying the Euro 26 to view the breathtaking interior.

My host in Barcelona is far from a fan of Social Media but you may spot his pink shirt in one of the photos below.

I adored my stay in Barcelona. Excellent, reasonably priced, meals out; friendly locals and a walkable place. Hope the photos below encourage you to visit this special Spanish city.

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Seeing the 'Real Madrid' - Madrid, Spain - October 2021

1/11/2021

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This photo attempts to capture the speed & energy of what we saw at Torres Bermejas. Flamenco is a dance you must see.

After 6 nights of unparalleled luxury at the new Four Seasons & Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid, I joined my friend from Punta del Este in Uruguay to experience a little of the 'real Madrid', at least as real as my travel life ever gets! Our friend from Munich joined us for a night of this.

Having seen tango in Buenos Aires, I got to see traditional flamenco dancing at Torres Bermejas; took the Madrid Metro; visited the Museo Sorolla; ate in the stunning Mercado de San Miguel; saw the Royal Palace at sunset etc

Cannot thank my friend from Uruguay, & his friends, enough for all they did to make my 'last' days in Madrid unforgettably special. Hope the photos below do it some justice.

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The Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid. Luxury & Opulence on Another Level - Madrid, Spain - October 2021

31/10/2021

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Spot the second bottle of Veuve Clicquot for this bath experience.

My stay at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid was overshadowed by receiving the news that we had lost Bermuda legend, & close friend, Marcia Woolridge-Allwood. However, think Marcia would have loved to see the photos below and hear about my breathtaking suite with Veuve Clicquot on ice; my Dom Perignon experience with General Manager superstar Greg; a rose head bath prepared by Head Butler Claudia & her consummate professional butler team; Eugenie at the white marble & chanderliered pool; so many varieties of water, after my 'Perrier complaint' at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong; my photo on the water bottles; the bar staff who knew me from Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park; the butler team's help with my packing of fragile items from Four Seasons, Madrid etc

Last week I was honoured to be invited to a key Mandarin Oriental party in London. At that we talked about the issues over merging the iconic Ritz, Madrid with Mandarin Oriental. My stay illustrated this is still a work in progress but will be worth it. Hope the photos below evidence all that has already been achieved.

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The Spirit of Mr Sharp's 'Golden Rule' is Already Fully Alive & Well at The New Four Seasons, Madrid - Madrid, Spain - October 2021

30/10/2021

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It was emotional saying farewell to General Manager Adrian & superb team. I was given the hotel Porsche to take me to the Mandarin Oriental Ritz.

Yesterday we were told my dad can no longer walk, following his most recent hospital stay. With the steady decline in dad's health caused by his Parkinson's, & the deterioration in the UK's position over COVID-19, it does not seem appropriate to be writing detailed luxury travel accounts. However, at Mr Sharp's private home in Toronto he told me about his excitement over finally having a Madrid Four Seasons, &, with Mr Sharps' recent 90th birthday, I felt I had to post some photos to this blog. Hope you enjoy them.

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Foreign Air Travel Is Stressful & Fraught, But Worth It - Madrid & Barcelona, Spain - September & October 2021

28/10/2021

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The British Airways First/ Club Class Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 was better with COVID-19 compliant table service & individually cooked breakfasts. The champagne was very welcome.

I last left the UK in December 2019 for a New York trip. Concerns about further UK lockdowns meant I decided to go to Spain in September/ October 2021.

The idea was to try Iberia Business Class again flying to Madrid & British Airways Club Europe again flying back from Barcelona.

The purpose of the trip was to stay at the new Four Seasons in Madrid; the new Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid; meet friends from Uruguay & Munich in Madrid; & see my Dubai friend in Barcelona and stay at his elegant place there.

Business Class seating on the Airbus A320 planes both airlines used was disappointing but food was better than I expected.

The main difference was between the crews. Nothing was too much trouble for the British Airways crew, while the Iberia crew did not care. My Apple New York charging cable was not compatible with the Iberia International power sockets and the crew were not interested.

The main points of interest with both flights was the importance attached to scraps of paper on the ground saying "docs OK" (evidencing compliance with COVID-19 documentation requirements) and the fact it was the first time I had entered a European country since Brexit. At Madrid EU & Swiss nationals had short immigration queues, while we British joined the problematic 'Rest of the World' queue. That took so long Four Seasons started calling me to ask where I was.

On the Madrid flight it made me smile that British Airways state that their merger with Iberia is now complete but good customer service is still so obviously lacking at Iberia. Since my flight they have asked for a Direct Message ("DM') on Twitter about my Iberia complaints but have still not replied to any of my four messages. All this reminded me of my Business Class flight from South Africa to Madrid, with Iberia, where I asked for water and was told that would come with my meal.

My advice is still to avoid Iberia at all costs and only pay for Business Class on the London to Spain routes if you are certain you will be flying on a A350.

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The Bank of England; The Buckingham Palace Gardens; A Test Match etc - London/ Shrewsbury - May to August 2021

26/7/2021

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Another dream came true being in the Buckingham Palace gardens with mum.

Dad's rapid decline from Parkinson's disease is something my whole family is struggling to cope with. It has forced me to give up my new role at the Bank of England after only 4 month, to enable me to deal with this myself and support my family more. The Bank have been so kind and said I should be able to rejoin them for a third time, once my family life stabilises again.

I first started working for the Bank of England when the Rt Hon Robin Leigh-Pemberton was Governor; worked with the present Governor, Andrew Bailey, when we were both in Chief Cashier's Office; and Andy Haldane, former Chief Economist, was my manager in Monetary Analysis, during the period of 'the Ken & Eddie Show', before The Bank was given independence over the setting of interest rates.

All this history with The Bank, combined with my experience working in Bermuda, Qatar, Cyprus & Cayman Islands should have made me ideal to help The Bank with its work and it was painful to have to resign. However, it did free me up to take mum to see the gardens at Buckingham Palace. The Farmers' Club made the sublime rare roast beef sandwiches, and Rosewood, London the Yayoi Kusama cakes, for this picnic.

I have also been to a Beverly Hills Hotel pop-up on the roof of The Dorchester, where I was presented with more Philip Hammond flowers. Dorchester Collection know when I need cheering up. In a similar vein, I was given 'free' Ruinart champagne at Four Seasons at Park Lane and friends from my Bermuda days sent me Concorde tags from our New York trip on that supersonic jet. I also got to try the new NoMad hotel in Covent Garden. I need to make it clear that I cannot recommend Oystermen in Covent Garden enough, after an unforgettable dinner there with mum.

Last week I was taken to a Test Match at Trent Bridge by friends from my Shrewsbury School days. I am so lucky with the friends I have.

I am going through an extreme difficult period in my life at present but hope the photos below illustrated there are still some very happy moments within it and my friends are being too kind.

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Cautiously Optimistic - London/ Shrewsbury - April 2021

9/5/2021

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Celebrating 12 April 2021 on the roof of The Dorchester with their GM Robert. A live band & sunset views of Hyde Park to die for.

April 2021 was the month when England began opening up again. I was on the roof of The Dorchester to mark the first day in real style.

After being shown the pink marble bath that was specially installed for Elizabeth Taylor in their Harlequin Roof Suite, John (GM of 45 Park Lane) kept me company, Tom Booton's food was sublime & we were even offered hot water bottles, with knitted covers, on that cold evening.

My next outing was 45 Park Lane for a mouthwateringly fresh Wolfgang Puck lunch on their beautiful outside terrace. The welcome back from the staff almost made me emotional & I even got to meet chef Jamie Shears.

I managed to squeeze a week in Shrewsbury in before I rejoined the Bank of England in their International Banking area. During that week I had a drink in The Admiral Benbow pub with mum & celebrated my older brother's birthday.

Back in London I ate oysters & drank champagne in The Savoy's pop-up Solas, where cars usually drop off guests. It has been transformed into a breathtaking fantasy and, as with all the hotels I visited, service was impeccable.

The month ended with a visit to Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park for a Saturday lunch. GM Amanda came in on her day off to welcome me & lunch could not have been better. Heston Blumenthal's poor/ gimmicky Waitrose & Partners food is a millions miles from the delicacies that were served by Dinner by Heston on that terrace overlooking Hyde Park.

Hope the photos below do some justice to the monumental efforts all these iconic hotels went to to make me feel very special. From The Dorchester sending me home with Christian Lacroix Greta with a new headdress & Philip Hammond's exquisite flowers; to champagne from Amanda at the Mandarin Oriental & their Heston Blumenthal liquid nitrogen ice cream trolley, it was another month I will never forget.

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Another Birthday Under Coronavirus/ COVID-19 - London/ Shrewsbury - March 2021

24/3/2021

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I cannot say enough good things about Guy's Hospital & the NHS.

29 March 2021 will be my second birthday 'celebrated' under COVID-19.

I have already had some amazing birthday presents. The main one was having received my first Coronavirus vaccine shot. This, combined with news that Nuffield Health plan to reopen The Barbican gym, gives me hope that we are, finally, returning to 'normal'.

I am thinking about Paris & their latest lockdown at present. Stay safe & strong everyone.

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Interview with Simon Frew: Travel Expert & Banking Consultant

1/3/2021

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Hope you all enjoy my interview with The Luxury Business Emporium.

Click this link to read the full interview

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New Year's Eve With Mum & Dad Again & England's Lockdown3 - Shrewsbury/ London - December 2020/ January 2021

17/1/2021

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Haggis, neeps & tatties; Tanners Wine champagne; and snow. A real Shropshire New Year's Eve.

For a second year I skipped New York in favour of New Year's Eve in Shrewsbury with mum & dad. Mum's sublime cooking, wines from dad and even getting to spend New Year's Day with my gorgeous niece, before she flew to spend the Orthodox Christmas in Moscow with her mother, made it such a special time.

On New Year's Day my friend who lives in the Burj Khalifa sent me photos of watching the Dubai fireworks from inside his apartment. Mind-blowing!

I returned to London on the direct Avanti West Coast train in First Class but Lockdown3 in England was announced shortly after this. I now combine exercise with shopping by walking to Fortnums to undertake my food shopping. This is a treat a younger me would not have believed I would ever have been able to do. I also returned to London to find elegant gifts from the Four Seasons George V in Paris.

I am doing my best not to let standards slip, despite everything, & hope the photos below help to demonstrate this. Keep safe everyone. We will get through this together.

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A Far Better COVID-19 Christmas 2020 Than We Expected - Shrewsbury, England - December 2020

28/12/2020

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My beautiful niece meets Eric, the Steiff sloth; a Shropshire family Christmas calls for Tanners Wines' champagne; & my mother's expertly cooked roast goose Christmas lunch.

Despite London moving to Tier 4, we managed to have another very special family Shropshire Christmas.

With fine wines chosen by dad; mum's legendary cooking and my niece there, it could not have gone any better.

I gave a Chanel gift to mum; Tanners Wines & Fortnums gifts to my brother & father; a Steiff gift to my charming niece and my godson loves his Swiss Army Knife, with his name engraved on the blade. I gave some of my best gifts this year.

I received Veuve Clicquot champagne; The Glenlivet whisky; Silent Pool gin; Paul Smith socks; The White Company sleep products; Elton John's new book; a personalised mug from a friend in Qatar that I treasure; an umbrella that is a piece of art from Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park etc. So happy with all my beautiful/ thoughtful gifts too.

Hope the photos below illustrate how lucky I feel to have such outstanding friends & a one-off family.

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Hurtling Towards a COVID-19 Christmas - London/ Shrewsbury - November 2020

6/12/2020

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My Fortnum & Mason and Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Christmas decorations are up in The Barbican. I adored the Christmas trees at Four Seasons at Park Lane, The Dorchester & Claridges's. I am just a little sad that Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square & Threadneedles Hotel will not reopen this year.

Today I learnt my brother had sorted out his flight home. This, combined with the fact my sweet young niece will be in Shropshire for Christmas, means my COVID-19 Shrewsbury Christmas is shaping up well.

Last week John (GM of 45 Park Lane) showed me their stunning new swimming pool. I was one of the first non-staff members to see it, and have agreed not to post my photos, but can assure people it is one of the most beautiful indoor pools have ever seen.

This made me think about the fact I was shown the Private Members Club at Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square, before its members, and stayed at Four Seasons Resort: Dubai at Jumeirah Beach & Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay before they were open to the public. My meeting with Four Seasons Founder & Chairman Mr Sharp, as his private home in Toronto, really did change my life.

On the #travelblog front, it was also interesting that Grant Campbell has been appointed as the first GM of Nobu Hotel London Portman Square & Anne Golden at the first GM of Pan Pacific London. Despite the damage the COVID-19 restrictions have wreaked on the hospitality industry, it does not seem to have reduced my extensive network of General Manager contacts.

England's lockdown2 was made better for me by more Daniel Humm breakfast granola from Claridge's. I am still using the Davies & Brook jar it came in this time and was honoured to be one of the only people to see the Claridge's lobby during lockdown2. I also managed another Shrewsbury trip, ladened down with Fortnum & Mason gifts again.

People who see me over Christmas & New Year should feel free to ask me about the November 2020 photos below. Hope everyone has a special Christmas & better 2021!

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Featured in The Sunday Times Wine Club Blog & My Yayoi Kusama La Grande Dame 2012 Veuve Clicquot Arrived - Shrewsbury/ London - October 2020

5/11/2020

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I think my charming & beautiful niece has my eyes. This photo was taken after we went to see the leaping salmon on the River Severn in Shrewsbury.

October 2020 was the month when my friend Will Lyons, The Sunday Times wine critic, featured my photo in The Sunday Times Wine Club blog and my Yayoi Kusama designed La Grande Dame 2012 Veuve Clicquot arrived & it looked even more spectacular than I had hoped for.

However, it was also the month of my niece's 10th birthday & I am even more proud of the job we did making that so special and to ensure her half-term was full of fun, despite her mum having to be in Moscow & her dad in Dublin. A special mention has to go to Kerry Jones at Bloom for Budding Artists in Shrewsbury for her Yayoi Kusama inspired Halloween pumpkin prints workshop. I took it as a fortuitous omen that this was being run!

Despite two trips to Shropshire to support family, ladened down with Hamleys and Fortnum & Mason gifts, I did manage to try the London 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' experience in Harrods. The room is exquisitely decorated and the staff better than in New York but the food disappointing, compared with my scrambled eggs with truffles in Manhattan. It did not help that, as the first booking of the day (10am), I had to wait outside in the cold rain for the doors of The Tiffany Blue Box Cafe at Harrods to open at 10am.

I also bought Lebanese wine again in October and would encourage people do what they can support that beleaguered country. At the same, I did all I could to promote The Market Hall Shrewsbury, with its high quality fresh local produce.

Before 'Lockdown 2' was announced I also managed to squeeze in a delightful afternoon tea at The Wolseley, with one of my most legendary hotel contacts; a sublime Gordon Ramsay Sunday lunch at The Savoy Grill; & collect more superb Dorchester hotel flowers from designer florist Philip Hammond. While collecting the latter, I was able to have long chats with Robert (GM of The Dorchester) and John (GM of 45 Park Lane). All this means I am now 'ready' for the next 4 weeks without visiting a hotel.

With England now in COVID-19 'Lockdown 2', & the results of the US Election still uncertain, hope my photos from last month below help to raise everyone's spirits a little. Good luck to us all!

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