The Grand Union Canal

Yesterday we got to the hotel in time to check in and then get ready for dinner. Dinner was formal with a surprise guest speaker who Gavin had organised - it turned out to be Miles Jupp who is very well known in the UK. He was excellent, with a very dry British humour that went down so well. He had done research on the company and made it personal about the company with some very funny quips. I went to bed at about 11am but Gavin only managed to come upstairs at about 1am so we did not get up too early this morning. I had planned to get up for the sunrise but we missed that.

Before breakfast we went for a walk along the Grand Union Canal which runs through the hotel grounds, which is when I took this photo. Then it was breakfast - which was outstanding, so much choice and really delicious. We met at 10am for the start of the corporate activities, and this year everyone was divided into teams and did Crystal Maze challenges which were great fun. Crystal Maze is a program on TV and there was a company who organised all the challenges. It was sunny and very hot today with a temperature of about 26C so it was hard work doing the physical challenges in the heat. I have been the 'official photographer' all weekend so last night I took photos at the dinner and today I never did any challenges but rather took photos of everyone else doing them. There are around 170 people attending, being staff and partners, although of course not all staff could attend and some staff have even travelled from the USA, India and Europe. It is an annual treat for all the staff and while it is expensive for the company it does build great loyalty and a very good company spirit.

We had a casual buffet lunch and while we were eating there was prize giving for the staff. The company does have wonderful staff and the camaraderie and spirit amongst them is very strong. Then there was a talk by a staff member on How to be an Ally of LGBTQ+, and while none of it was unknown to me it was interesting hearing him discuss the issues that the LGBTQ+ community are facing at present and how we can help support them.

After lunch there were more activities, people were free to choose what they wanted to do so some played tennis, some went to the spa, some partook in organised activities in the walled garden and many played golf as there is an excellent golf course here. Gavin and I were booked to play golf tomorrow before going home but the forecast for tomorrow is that it will rain so we managed to swap out booking for this afternoon instead. I really enjoyed playing, the course was so beautiful and in excellent condition. 

Now we have just returned from playing golf and I have to get ready for supper - tonight it is more casual and I don't have to take photos!