travelog

Since I returned to London, so many people have been too kind to me.

This ranges from the mother of my godson, & one of my best friends, taking me to afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason to celebrate my new banking Board role; The Dorchester inviting me for a complimentary cocktail on their roof; and Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square treating me to 'free' Veuve Clicquot champagne & presenting me with a napkin 'teddy bear' embroidered with my initials.

I am off to Shropshire again next week to spend more quality time with mum & dad.

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Mandarin Oriental, Manhattan, A Dream Stay! - New York, USA - September 2022

24/9/2022

A further stay at Mandarin Oriental, Manhattan was the perfect way to end almost a month travelling.

As soon as I got into the 2022 Mandarin Oriental Mercedes, and started chatting to Eddie the driver, I knew this would be another special stay. So glad I was staying there when I learnt about HM the Queen's death.

Hotel Manager Jeroen, & Director of Guest Relations Andres, were waiting outside to welcome me. I was in my 53rd floor suite before I knew it.

The intoxicating smell of the chocolate teddy bear cake; views of Central Park to die for; a glass containing a glass teddy bear and a special whisky & honey cocktail; a bottle of Veuve Clicquot on ice etc almost overwhelmed me.

From my suite's Toto Japanese toilet, to the pool with breathtaking views, the bed turndown lady bringing me a second special panda etc, I cannot say enough good things about this iconic Manhattan hotel.

Getting to sit and chat to General Manager Robert was the icing on a very special cake.

I know the photos below will convince you this was a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) stay. Witnessing sunrise over Central Park, from my 53rd floor suite, almost made me cry Tips: you MUST try their spicy wontons. If you visit The Lowell Hotel, have a cocktail but avoid the food in Majorelle at all costs. Yves Saint Laurent's memory should not be associate with this substandard product.

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The Aman, Manhattan, An Exquisite Tranquil Oasis - New York, USA - September 2022

23/9/2022

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A Mandarin Oriental, Manhattan Mercedes, with Eddie the legendary driver, drove me to The Aman, Manhattan.

The Weekend Financial Times described this new hotel as the "most expensive in New York" (more than double the price of the existing best Manhattan hotels) and it currently has a policy that only Aman members and guests of the hotel can enter the hotel.

Simon (Director of Marketing for the hotel) made an exception for me and I was mesmerised by all the elegance of it all.

This 83 suite hotel is just off 5th Avenue by Bvlgari. Simon and enjoyed a glass of champagne on the outside terrace with its water features & fire pits. It was a joy to chat with this hotel professional and he then took me on a tour of the Japanese restaurant, spa, pool etc

I was astonished by the quiet calm of the place and quality of the Japanese wood in the restaurant etc. At times you feel you are in an Asian resort, rather than in bustling Manhattan. Roland Fasel (who I know from his time as General Manager of The Dorchester) is COO of Aman Group. He was staying in the hotel & can be justifiably be proud of what they have achieved in Manhattan. A '7 teddy' hotel for certain. I have a candle from the spa to remember all this.

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Four Seasons Downtown New York - My Best Stay There EVER! - New York, USA - September 2022

22/9/2022

I learnt about HM the Queen's death while having coffee at The Peninsula hotel in New York. This, & the subsequent mourning period, have left me in a strange state. Problems trying to send my niece in Moscow a birthday present have not helped.

Anyway, my latest stay at Four Seasons Downtown New York was so special, I cannot delay posting about it any further.

Despite being allocated suite 911, in a week when I was flying on 9/11, it was my best stay there EVER!

From Manager Pablo & Jessica, who originated from North Wales, welcoming me; to a suite with stunning views of The Oculus, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne, Steiff teddy bears & a rich chocolate teddy bear cake; the warmth of my welcome from the spa/ pool staff; finding Four Seasons Manhattan/ Midtown staff have found work at Four Seasons Downtown & Four Seasons launching their 'Luxury Is Our Love Language' while I was staying at the hotel, it could not have been a more perfect stay.

However, an evening that started with General Manager Thomas, where he pointed out the martini on the Wolfgang Puck menu had been named after me & played the James Bond 007 theme music, while the martini was prepared by our table, seemed impossible to improve. However, my hero Chef Daniel Boulud (who was staying in the hotel) then join us.

When I met Chef Wolfgang Puck at 45 Park Lane he talked at Daniel and then we meet a few months later. I ended that evening eating Wolfgang Puck Japanese Wagyu thinking life does not get better than this.

Hope the photos below help to explain why this was stay was a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) experience, despite Four Seasons Downtown not being in a New York location that is ideal for me. Tip: if you decided to visit Peter Luger's, take cash & do not expect WiFi. Their bacon is extraordinary but Mr Puck's steaks are far better.

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Bogota, Food on Another Level - Bogota, Colombia - September 2022

2/9/2022

I tried restaurants Leo & El Chato in Bogota. They were different but I had some of the best meals of my life at both.

Leo is a temple to fine dining and Chef Leonor Espinosa was in the kitchen and very hands-on. Issy quickly fell foul of her strict "no toys or bags" rule.

I opted for the alcohol pairing and the meal was a succession of exquisite and mouthwatering small dishes with stories about antioxidants, potency & falling in love.

Dishes like the guinea fowl, tallo, maize & kipu seemed be a play on the classic chicken & corn. Strangely, I preferred the duck to the pork dish.

It was an interesting and fun culinary journey and made even better by meeting Sommelier Laura, Head of Social Media Juan Pablo and Chef Espinosa herself at the end of the meal at the bar upstairs. There I was made a No 10 Territorio cocktail. Everyone is amazed by my photo of that.

I intend to get the beautiful Leo menu framed, after I get back to London

El Chato is also a beautiful restaurant with playful & interesting waiters.

I had the shrimp & piangua (a mangrove swamp delight!) with black garlic paste & leeks as a starter and the paletero (shoulder) beef with romaine lettuce, culona (leaf-cutter) ants & native potatoes crisps. Both dishes were delicious & I wanted to lick the plate after the beef.

Tonight I take my perfect Panama host to Maito in Panama City, to thank him. It is said to be one of the best restaurants in Panama.

Hope the photos below illustrate why both meals were '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) experiences.

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Four Seasons in Colombia, A MUST Visit! - Bogota, Colombia - September 2022

2/9/2022

My stay at Four Seasons, Casa Medina, Bogota warrants three cover photos. The warmth of the welcome from GM Mark & his team blew me away and it is a stunningly beautiful building.

As I told Mr Sharp, after my arrival, think my overall well-begin was improved by my visits to both Four Seasons in Bogota. Looking forward to a third Four Seasons in Colombia at Cartagena.

I have decided the food in Bogota justifies a separate post. The food at restaurants Leo & El Chato was out of this world

Despite the photos below, I have decided my stay was a '6 teddy' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) experience. No swimming pools; no bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne; & my lack of Spanish causing service issues, mean I cannot award a '7 teddy' score. Tip:- go downstairs for breakfast on at least one morning.

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Panama Part 2: Contadora in The Pearl Islands & Sailing The Panama Canal - Panama - August 2022

31/8/2022

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Following in the footsteps of Elizabeth Taylor, Christian Dior & the former Shah of Iran, we went to stay on Contadora in The Pearl Islands in Panama.

While a whale was spotted during our crossing, Contadora was a sad example of what closure of hospitality venues, and lack of maintenance during this period, can do in a tropical climate.

The island is used as a base for the 'Survivor' TV series in The Pearl Islands and so we were surrounded by staff working on this show during our meals.

Sailing on the Panama Canal was a complete contrast. A dream come true for me, a true '7 teddy' experience and brought a tear to my eye thinking how much my dad would have loved this experience.

Hope you enjoy more photos below.

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Panama City & Bocas del Toro. Watching Dolphins; Secluded Beaches; Lobster Lunches & Views To Die For - Panama - August 2022

25/8/2022

Steamy tropical Panama. Visited here to stay with one of my special friends from Uruguay. His 25th Floor place in Panama City was a stunning apartment to stay in.

We were joined by another friend from Uruguay and we visited Bocas del Toro to swim in the Caribbean Sea and watch dolphins.

In Panama City I shopped in Ferragamo & Louis Vuitton and it was sublime to spend quality time with my friends.

I visited the JW Marriott, Panama & Waldorf Astoria, Panama City while in Panama City. The infinity pools at the former have to been seen.

Hope you enjoy the photos below.

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The TWA Hotel, A Stunning Building Beautifully Brought Back to Life - JFK, New York, USA - August 2022

22/8/2022

The magnificent interior of the Trans World Flight Centre has to be seen

I decided to make the best over being stuck at JFK Airport on a sunny picturesque day and went for breakfast at the TWA Hotel.

The Trans World Flight Centre at JFK Terminal 5 has to be seen. Designed by second-generation modernists Eero Saarinen & Associates, who also designed the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square. It leaves you speechless.

The tunnel you enter by reminded me of the Concorde tunnel at JFK. TWA has a special place in my heart, as my father took us on TWA to California to visit Disneyland, when I was still at Prestfelde Prep School.

The design is breathtaking and it has all been beautifully brought back to life with iconic music playing; a collection of crew uniforms, they were wearing Ralph Lauren when we flew with them; and red carpets everywhere that accentuate the fluid lines of the building.

I tried the Jean-Georges Vongerichten breakfast buffet in the Paris Cafe. The food was exceptional and made even better by talking to Marco, my waiter from Ecuador, who now Follows me on Instagram.

I bought a TWA carry-on tote bag before leaving but, unfortunately, the zip on this broke in Panama City the next day and the hotel has not replied to my numerous complaints, a sign of service issues?

They were playing 'Moon River' (the 'Breakfast at Tiffany's theme music) as I was leaving, which I took to be highly auspicious

Hope the photos below explain why this was a '6 teddy' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) experience, the problems with my TWA tote, & the lack of any form of reply to my related complaints, mean I am unable give it '7 teddies'. I am left with lingering service issue concerns. Tip:- you must visit their Paris Cafe.

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British Airways Club Class, Returns to Being a Cutting Edge Product - New York, USA - August 2022

17/8/2022

The White Company products; new suites on my 777; beautiful new glassware & friendly helpful crew. BA Club Class is a force to be reckoned with again.

My big trip to Panama, Bogota & New York started at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, drinking champagne from The Aubrey, London at breakfast. However, the taxi ride after, learning the driver had worked at The Bank of England in the 1990s, when I was also working there, made my day.

At Heathrow British Airways Club Class meant I breezed through with no problems.

Miss physical newspapers & magazines in the Galleries Club Lounges; the chairs & sofas in the lounges are starting to look a bit tired; and there should be charging points in all areas but it was fine. In fact the cold tuna pasta was excellent.

On the Boeing 777 the new Club Class suites look stylish and every detail has been improved (eg large better The White Company pillows) but I missed warm towels & at times the bulky new suites felt a little claustrophobic. However, with exceptional entertainment, and mouthwatering food, Club Class has returned to being a '6 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) product.

I am writing this post from my room at the Hilton New York JFK Airport, after a nightmare at JFK Terminal 4 this morning that meant I could not fly to Panama today. I want to thank Shanna here who could tell I had had too stressful a morning and gave me my room straight away. Cannot thank her enough. Now feel ready to meet my friends in Panama City tomorrow.

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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 to 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

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 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

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

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

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

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