under another sun

Below a few stolen moments in an overcast Basel: ranks of windows across the river; the current-powered river crossing boat attached to a wire that spans the river; relaxing at lunchtime; the hotel from the river; green trams; market square; fish and seahorse.

Pitch day Rumbling from the Basel trams woke me in my soft bed in Le Trois Rois . Had a fairly reasonable night's rest on pillows soft as clouds. Up to have a light breakfast with my colleagues, sitting by a big open window of the restaurant overlooking the river. This would have been extremely enjoyable if there wasn't a pitch to prepare for. The four of us crammed into the FB's room for yet more rehearsals till it was time to get the taxi off to the offices of our potential client. We crammed in with all our bags, including a massive portfolio and easels. The pitch went very well indeed and we were pleased with ourselves. Back after a few hours to the hotel where we left our gear and followed the FB to eat sushi on the street in Switzerland. An unlikely choice but the fish was very fresh and nice. Sitting outside was ideal for a spot of people watching. Managed to follow this with a variety of apfelstrudel and vanilla sauce for a pudding, which was excellent. The other tw...

To Basel So off to Heathrow by cab and I arrived unfeasibly early. Managed to have my shampoo and conditioner confiscated as dangerous weapons. Also, when I found the business lounge, I rather vaguely asked a man at the counter for a beer. He looked appalled and said that it was a self service counter. So it was. And the international executive I had thought was a barman looked fairly huffily at me after that. Soon joined by the others, including a strangely grouchy French Bloke. The flight was just how I like them, short and uneventful and travelling in business class. Arrived in Basel at about 10 and got a taxi from the airport to Les Troi Rois hotel in the middle of Basel. Strangely we drove through a bit of France for a few hundred yards to get to Switzerland. The hotel was rather lovely, with sumptuous rooms, and situated on the bank of the river. After dumping our bags off in our rooms, we grabbed a late drink on the terrace overlooking the black and viscous looking Rhine. A blac...