Under Pressure

Today we moved from the hotel to the apartments, with a big day at work in the middle. The PLAN was to head off from work a bit early. The reality was arrival at the apartments at 8pm, but I’m getting ahead of myself. 

We “decided” not to go the scenic route from Leeds to South Kirby this morning, having finally managed to get navigation going in the car, but after that the day went south (not SOUTH).

My task for the day was to finish a model and a presentation for the Australian business start up. It was substantially complete, but I wrote it before I arrived here, so it was theoretical, and I spent the day talking to people to compare reality to the theory. My stress levels were high - that underlying tension that comes with having to produce a result that everyone is going to look at and critique.  Luckily it was “Chippie Friday” and the day was broken up with a nice but greasy chip buttie for lunch.

 

By the time the model was done it was after five and the traffic back to Leeds was ridiculous. We decided to stop at a supermarket to get supplies for the apartments on the way. This was the single most difficult task I have undertaken on the trip so far. Unfamiliar products, unfamiliar layout, no idea as to whether the apartment has a freezer (no) or supplies like salt and pepper (yes) and no shopping list. Ugh. The checkout lady was horrified that I didn’t have shopping bags and needed to buy them (“these are 20p each love - you don’t want to spend money on those). The traffic was worse not better for the second half of the trip and it was 8pm before we reached the hotel. Something was on in the city so there was literally NO parking, we ended up parking illegally and lugging three loads of suitcases and groceries down the street and up a lot of stairs. The apartment is cute and it’s nice to have my own space. Tea, toast and bed. Looking forward to a rest tomorrow.

A few apartment photos. 

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