Kicking off on the 1 April, the Royal Air Force marks its 100 year anniversary with a calendar of special events and activities running until the end of November. I was lucky enough to get a first glimpse of the RAF 100 Aircraft tour when it recently jetted in for a brief pit-stop at in the Guildhall Yard in the City of London. Nipping out for a sneak peek during my lunch break, I was instantly in awe of these magnificent flying machines.
Eurofighter typhoon aircraft at the Guildhall Yard
Struggling onto the tube every morning, I witness some of the worst in human behaviour. Survival of the fittest reigns supreme as several million people battle for breathing space on their way to work. Experiencing such a harsh environment on a daily basis, it’s little wonder that I sometimes feel alienated from my neighbours. In a bid to re-connect to a more giving side of my fellow Londoners, I signed up for a stint of volunteering at the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal.
Close up of daffodils in sunshine
In a world where global conference calls flash onto a screen at the tap of a button, it’s hard to fathom how far office life has changed in the past 100 years. In this week’s blog post, brought to you courtesy of Sun Life’s nifty time-travelling tool, we examine how our working lives have transformed: from the ping of a fax to the incessant whirl of instant messaging. Hold onto your hats millennials – this could be a rocky ride.
instant messaging infographic
Scuttling into the office along wind-whipped, congested streets, the call of golden beaches, sunshine and wide open spaces has an irresistible appeal at this time of year. And with two-hour flights to Australia being mulled over by Sir Richard Branson, we could all be jetting off for a long weekend down under before we hit retirement age. Here are my top 5 reasons why a holiday to Australia ticks all the right boxes for London’s office worker – whether it’s for a fortnight in 2018 or four days in 2038.
Panoramic view of Whitehaven Beach, Australia
On Random Acts of Kindness Day – we ask has your workplace lost the love? If the atmosphere’s been a little fraught of late, here’s an opportunity to reach out and spread the love. Often, it’s the smallest acts of kindness that make the biggest impact. Our top 5 tips will help soothe cranky colleagues and transform petty squabbles. And may even create a group hug-in at your next team meeting.
Mug with a happy face on an office worker’s desk
As a lover of the outdoors, I sometimes resent having to spend my leisure time indoors to visit art galleries and exhibitions. And this is particularly the case when cooped up in the office all week during our short summer months. But what if the art world could be teleported outside? This is the premise of the Sculpture Park in Churt, near Farnham, which boasts more than 600 sculptures in ten acres of enchanting gardens.
large wooden tryannosauras sculpture at Churt Sculpture Park
The return to work heralds a whole new year of annual leave opportunities and what better time to plan one or two short breaks. Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture or beach flopping, we have a selection to excite and inspire you through these dark and gloomy January days.
Coastline of the Gower Peninsula, South Wales
As another year in the capital whizzes by at lightning speed, we take a moment to pause and reflect on some of the top Office Break outings of 2017. From submerging myself in a floatation tank to exploring the foothills of the Himalayas, it’s been an action-packed year full of adventure.
Annapurna sanctuary trek in Nepal
As the acclaimed dish-du-jour of Japanese restaurant, Nobu, black cod miso is reserved for wealthy City workers. But for those who can’t afford to splurge £42.50 on a main course, why not learn to make this Asian foodie delight at home for a fraction of the cost? If you’re yearning to upgrade your culinary skills, Sozai Cooking School is now helpfully offering black cod miso cooking lessons after work.
learning to cook black cod with miso sauce at Sozai cooking school
A fun palace made out of giant inflatable Liquorice Allsorts is the first thing that springs to mind when I stumble across Villa Walala during my lunch break this week. A bold mirage in a sea of corporate glass and chrome, the villa invites you to fling off your work shoes and jump head first into this bouncy castle on steroids.
Sign post for Villa Walala, Exchequer Square, Broadgate