Is it a bird, is it a plane, no it’s cinema via socially-distanced boats. As creative ideas go, the Parisians have certainly pushed the boat out in 2020. This outdoor cinema extravaganza marks the inauguration of the Paris Plages 2020 celebrations. As part of this annual summer festival, artificial beaches pop up along the Seine transforming the City into a trendy beach resort.
It’s incredible to think that we’re now into our ninth week of remote working. Freed from the shackles of the commute and the constraints of office life, we now have more freedom than we could have ever imagined. But adapting to these remote working pros and cons brings its own challenges. Here are my top 5 tips that I’ve learnt over the last nine weeks that have kept me sane during lockdown.
Cart marking is one of the oldest traditions in the City of London and is still upheld to this day in an annual parade of vintage carts. The cart owners apply for the honour of being officially “marked” in the Guildhall Yard. It’s one of those events that always makes people stop and stare without having a clue as to what it’s all about. Often mistaken for a film shoot for the latest summer blockbuster, the cart marking ceremony is as old and mysterious as the City itself.
Nestled deep in the heart of central Europe, Slovenia’s Julian Alps offers mighty mountains, emerald lakes and pristine mountain trails. Frequently overlooked by its illustrious neighbours, Austria and Italy, the hiking hordes have yet to descend on these hidden heartlands. In fact, the only other “trekkers” you’re likely to meet are the frisky mountain goats.
Should we allow dogs in the office? The announcement that the City’s newest tall building, 22 Bishopsgate, is to be dog-friendly has set tails wagging and teeth gnashing in equal measure. While evidence shows that dogs can reduce stress levels and increase productivity, not everyone is enamoured with man’s best friend. In this article, we gnaw through the pros and cons of having dogs at work.
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
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
Tucked away on the south coast of Wales lies a land of golden beaches, winding coastal paths and shady forests. Having just signed up for a trek to Nepal in November, I decided it was time to venture out of the South East and explore new hiking territory in the Gower Peninsula – one of the most remote and un-spoilt corners of the UK.
Hiking across Oxwich beach in the Gower Peninsula, South Wales
Nestled between the Rhine and the Black Forest, Freiburg is officially Germany’s sunniest city. Offering cuckoo clocks, cobbled streets, roof top restaurants and pulsing techno bars, it’s a quirky blend of Hans Christian Anderson meets Kraftwerk. Throw in some succulent, fresh Trout and Black Forest Gateau and it’s also a mecca for foodie indulgence. Swapping my corporate suit for dashing dirndl, I set off in search of adventure.
Views from Freiburg Cathedral
With 2016 marking the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, the City was ablaze this weekend in flickering light installations, scorching Catherine wheels and great balls of fire. Created by Artichoke, the masterminds behind Lumiere London, the London’s burning commemorations sparked wonder across the capital. As a City worker, I headed into the heat after work to experience my working environment in an entirely new light.
Great Fire of London commemorations