Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Peace on Earth and Enjoy Life!

Since last posting a lot happened, I went to Switzerland where afterwards I realised that I got shingles, the most awful and tiresome of sickness, still curing now the aftermath of this, treating the nerves that were badly affected, increasing the doses, slowly. However you know me, life is too short and you want to enjoy it. I have a whole lot on Switzerland to tell you and to show you but this might have to wait, I have an evening extravaganza at Lalique on Tuesday and more parties to come.

Do keep in touch and I look forward to seeing you on either side of Christmas. Best wishes to all,

JF.

07831 782 200

Le Touquet

Le Touquet Paris-Plage Familiarisation Trip 6-8 September 2006

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It all started in a cocktail party by the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce when John Pinniger from PrimeWord International and I discussed the idea of a familiarisation trip to Le Touquet. We stopped on the dates in our busy diaries of 6-8th September.
This was very much a VIP trip: John and Aurelie took us in charge at Shoreham Airport on Wednesday 6. This was a very effortless check in with the custom officer coming to greet us as we were having a glass of chardonnay on the ground where our plane was waiting only 10 meters away, we did not realised that the pilot who came and welcomed us had already placed the luggage on board. 30 minutes later we were greeted at Le Touquet Airport by the director himself, Jean-Jacques and the Director of Tourism Pascal Maillet-Contoz, they both were excellent hosts throughout our stay. To paraphrase the Relais and Chateaux 5 C’s Courtesy, Charm, Character, Calm and Cuisine were at the 'rendezvous'.

The Westminster Hotel were we stayed has the 1930’s style that is permeated throughout Le Touquet. Le Touquet was very much created then by an English group as a Leisure Resort and this is very much, what this is to this date. The town now own most of the facilities that the previous owner (Groupe Lucien Barriere) has sold them.
At the head of all this leisure to include, racing, yachting, archery, tennis and a very full agenda of activities every weekend throughout the year is Pascal Maillet-Contoz, director of tourism, sports and culture. http://www.letouquet.com/

After a quick drop in of our luggage, we visited the Museum, once a residence of the American Ambassador in the 1930’s were there a few very good modern pictures to include Vasarely and some local painters and various temporary exhibitions.
Dinner at the Hotel was the start of culinary experience that were carried in every hotels that we visited, they were all creative, innovative and our taste buds were further charmed by the choice of wines, obviously no expenses spared in greeting us.

On Thursday, we visited the Palais de L’Europe that surprisingly can take up to 1200 people for conferences. In term of numbers, Pascal tells me that up to 50,000 attend the fireworks at the end of June; they must come from everywhere to include Paris that is 2 hours by train. With about 1200 hotel bedrooms, you realise that the many villas in town must be quite busy at the weekends. The Town Hall employs 600 people out of which Pascal employs 120. There is a serene atmosphere all over town and yet there are many activities.

We visited the Bristol Hotel and the Pol Hotel (a boutique hotel) located near the market bustling with food, drinks, and trinkets and went for lunch at the Holiday Inn Resort that is more in touch with Intercontinental service than Holiday Inn, perhaps a renaming is in progress. The Deputy Mayor and the hotel sales team joined us for lunch.
After lunch was our initiation to sand yachting, boy that was fun! I really enjoyed it as you can see from the many pictures contained in the album.
Dinner was at Mercure Grand Hotel that is undergoing a major refurbishment and if it all carries on as the restaurant was just finished it will then be a cross between Sanderson Hotel and Embargo Club in London… very trendy.
The evening after was spend visiting other venues such as Champagne Bars, other venues, discotheque and Casinos showing that there is more activities after dark.

On Friday we were treated to a fantastic tour of the area by helicopter and we learned afterwards that the same helicopter was used to take photographs of the ‘France vue du Ciel’ apparently a beautiful book. I have to see that on Amazon! Followed by lunch at the Manoir Hotel that is surrounded by Golf Courses.

I shall be back!

Do ask me if you require further information, best wishes, Jean-François.

August 2006 and beyond

August 2006 and beyond

August is for catching up, changing and adding things to the website see the new travelling arrangement! ( Train, plane, boat, helicopter and limousines) Site visits for events coming up and the organising time.

If buyers are interested, please contact me about a familiarisation trip to Le Touquet in September and to Strasbourg in December.

In September:

I am looking forward to a night of revelry at Cliveden http://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/ a luncheon at the House of Lords, a familiarisation trip to Switzerland, a reception at the Guildhall, several visit to Clarence House, many good speakers at the Rotary Club of London and to more reception at the IOD

In October:

I look forward to ACE 35th Anniversary, a visit by Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium in the Club, a house party in Brussels for the Rotary and the annual dinner for the Anglo-Belgian Society

In November:

The World Travel Market with its many parties, the Torch Kindling ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the Lord Mayor Show, my International Service Dinner, the Golden Bridge Awards, Thanksgiving in Brussels, Stanley Leverton Day and a concert in St Michael’s Chester Square.

July 2006

July 2006

After the Mas de Pierre where my parents joined us for a fantastic lunch we joined them in their house near Draguignan at Trans en Provence. With the exception of going to see my friends at the Bastide de Moustiers (www.bastide-moustiers.com) for an outstanding lunch and a site vite to an absolutely wonderful golf course at the Domaine de St Endreol, (www.st-endreol.com ) the month whiled away pretty fast. I am sorry that I didn’t manage to get to Juan Les Pins at the end for the Jazz Festival , I hear that BB King was outstanding.

I came back to London for the 16th July for the Cenotaph Ceremony. Belgium is the only country in the world who has this privilege and I am proud to be able to perpetuate this tradition dating from the friendship of Kings George V and Albert I. We will remember.

On the hottest day of the year, ever apparently, we held a reception at Marlborough House, house of the Commonwealth Secretariat that was preceded by a visit of the house and gardens.

Another trip to Wales to celebrate a 40th birthday and as I came back though this was just too hot to do anything but catching up on many project

Le Mas de Pierre

Le Mas de Pierre

At long last we arrived late on Friday in Nice airport where we were awaited and drove the twenty minutes to this oasis of calm. Warm welcome was given before being shown to our room. Le Mas de Pierre is everything a private house, a grand house, should be. You instantly feel at home. Seminar rooms are spacious and equipped with the latest equipement that is cleverly hidden away, this is a Relais & Chateau after all. As Winston Churchill said, “I am easily satisfied with the very best”. http://www.lemasdepierre.com/

enough said look at these pictures:


Le Mas de Pierre, one picture is from the Colombe d'Or, did I tell you that it was in St Paul de Vence?

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June 2006

Diaries – June 2006

I like the month of June! This is the month in which I was born! Coming back from Frankfurt I had to change my frame of mind, so how refreshing to be invited to the Royal Opera House, they were ‘modern’ pieces and remember the sceneries but must admit not much about the play…

On the Saturday my brother and his Rotary Club of Herstal arrived and I had organised the weekend for the 23 of them; after checking them in at the Gloucester millennium I took them to the East India Club in St James’s to give them a good look into clubs. The food, wines and service were really nice and we were made very much welcome a memorable evening.

On Sunday lunch we went to the Oxford & Cambridge Club and had a complete reversal… shan’t go there again. Sad as I had some very good time there in the past. After lunch we went to Greenwich by boat and some staff recognised me on the City Cruises Boat, they thought that I was still a senior manager of the company, had I known that … Greenwich and back took most of the afternoon and left the group to fend for themselves as I took my brother and sister in law back home from where they apparently came back elated and quite happy.

The Monday was normal day for the Rotary Club of London and so an official visit with exchange of flags took place and I rendered the official welcome to the Rotary Club of Herstal. Herstal is the birthplace of Charles I or Charlemagne and is well known for other facts.

On Tuesday, I went to a workshop on Spain in the morning to organise the visit of the Anglo-Spanish Society to Valencia in October, this I have just learned has been sadly cancelled. In the afternoon there was a tasting of wines from Luxembourg and in the evening a drink at the Anglo Belgian club before jetting off to the American embassy .
Thursday was the joint BLCC/Rotary Golf day at Royal Denham and fun was had by all and monies raised for our charities, I raised more on a single raffle for a box of chocolate then most of the auction prizes! You know how I can persuade people…
After a lovely weekend with friends in Wales this was back in full form for the Stella Artois Championship where once again I was asked to host the BLCC day, this went very well as we did this last year already. On Tuesday off to the Dulwhich Picture Gallery where a bank-client of mine had sponsored the Rembrandt exhibition, and was pleased to see that they hired one of my favourite caterers, Admirable Crichton. Wednesday seen the AGM of the Arts Club and Thursday I went to see the fantastic new venue Kew Palace… dine at the King’s table, literally, exclusive to J-F Dor Events along with all the Historical Royal Palaces…. Hampton Court, Tower of London, Kensington Palace and the Banqueting Hall. In the evening we sailed away with the Norwegians on the Thames for a joint effort between the Belgian-Luxembourg and Norwegian Chamber of Commerce. More party than networking and great fun!

On the 16th was the Red Cross Gala Ball at the Mansion House: the evening started with a dine around in various embassies and my friend an I were received by the Japanese Ambassador and his delightful wife who originally is from Ireland. Their hospitality and warmth was boundless and as the taxis were waiting we had to rush to the Mansion House where the second part of the evening was to be had, more food, drinks, champagne a lot of raffles, auctions and silent auction whom my friends participated in heartily.
There was also so much entertainment see redcross.org.uk for more details and so many friends to talk to that we only dance the very last 5 minutes before carriages… however we stayed in the new boutique hotel Theadneedles a very short stroll away.

Sunday the 18th was my birthday and with a few friends we had a private room at the Roof Garden’s Babylon restaurant, very good and we were the last to leave the restaurant! We went afterwards to Dennis Gilbert’s studio in Chelsea to admire his latest offering and had the privilege of seeing a room I had not seen before filled to the brink with pictures of all sizes and medium http://www.newenglishartclub.co.uk/artists_pages/gilbert_dennis.asp?art=48

The following Tuesday I went to Stratfield Saye home of the Duke of Wellington with the Anglo-Spanish Society before coming back to say goodbye to a dear friend of mine who has been promoted to New-York.
On Wednesday this was Ascot and went to two parties there and even rescued diplomats who lost themselves in the new configuration, this meant that I fleeted between the two parties and met people in between too, one of them another well know milliner and now sculptor, David Shilling. The Friday was International Widows Day for the Loomba Trust and I had secure for them the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s magnificent Locarno Suite. The conference was followed by a Bollywood concert in Trafalgar Square. There were some events over the weekend that I did not make!

Yvan Moseley had a concert on Tuesday in a delightful church just off the Chiswick roundabout but unfortunately arrived a little late but had the pleasure of meeting many friends and made new one.

Wednesday there was a reception in the Naval Club for the IOD , Thursday was dedicated to the Iraqi art collection but unfortunately my contact seem to have disappeared since then! I wish him well though. The Institute of Fundraising had its AGM in the evening at the Little Ship club and had to go quickly to the Christmas party of the BTO (yes you read right) at the Roof Garden.

The next day Richard and I flown to Nice for a treat… more a separate report.

May 2006

May 2006

The month of may has been the most busy seeing me travelling to Belgium, Greece and Germany and although I was supposed to be in Dubai too I did not make it! I have this project that started early in the month for Iraqi art in London, there will an exhibition sometimes in the fall, if I can see the exhibits that (now August) have yet to see.
The Artist soiree at the Arts Club was a success and managed to get a table together of friends in support. I guess I had to rush to get changed as I only came back from Brussels a few hours before the start, monies raised were for the Arts Club Charitable Trust of which I am a trustee and a considerable amount was raised.
Had a lot of meetings for the Belgian clubs, societies and others and for the Red cross, for the first time the Belgian Ball was organised in May and could not make it as we went to Greece for the Eurovision. Richard and I had a great time and thanks to my contacts in Greece we rented an apartment in the centre very conveniently placed, both for the Olympic Stadium (where the concerts took place) and to the Euro village where all the fun was to be had. With full accreditations by the Greek Television, Richard as journalist and I as an interpreter, we have been backstage, in rehearsals and all the parties. I must say Anna Visi was really great and I very sorry that Kate Ryan did not go through, anyway we have a website for this period called www.eurovisionism.com and have a look to the many competitions we had if you are really interested, roll on Helsinki for
2007!






Had so many meeting with regard to various projects as I came back that the month seems to have vanished very quickly with the exception of a day too many in Frankfurt! See below my impression of IMEX.

April 2006

April 2006 came back from Wales in the afternoon of Monday thus could not attend the ACE council meeting. Met with Anita at the IOD on Tuesday to talk about developing the Ladies on Tour business, everything is ready for the Trip in June to the Lake District. Met afterward with Michael at the RTYC with regards to dinners for the Anglo-Belgian Society and the Rotary Club of London, stayed in for the first Tuesday drink of the Anglo-Belgian Club and took a cab to rush for the reception at the American Embassy, got a few good contacts. I met with John and Janice on the Wednesday at the IOD for the business plan of ACE, great ideas, let’s implement them! On Thursday, I went to the First Novel Awards organised by the Author’s Club to bring my support, I think that Anita actually invited me. Friday was catching up day; need to have some, don’t we?
On Saturday was the Strictly Ballroom Dancing at the Old Chelsea Town Hall (lovely room) organised by my associate Eugenie Absalom who has very good contacts with the Russian community ( actually I have some rather good one too!)
Monday 10th, I had a meeting of the International committee for the Rotary –of which I am the Chairman. On Tuesday, I had a meeting with Patrick for the Royal Belgian Benevolent Society -of which we are both Honorary Treasurer. I met Celine at the Arts Club with regard to the Mas de Pierre (I since been and will be on a separate entry, lovely!) before the Cercle Francais where Ann Kodicek gave us the most entertaining talk about Diaghilev and other people of his time. Easter was upon us and Selfridge’s did well out of me buying all the little rabbits, ducks and various other chocolates… we had friends staying for the weekend so prepared ourselves for this.
The Open BC network seems to be quite good and attended the IT Hall for an evening that went well on the Tuesday following and on the Wednesday attended a , for me, very boring conference on Euronext, good god people can waffle about! No contact there that I did not know some very very important people or assuring themselves to be.
A good party was organised at LLadro on Piccadilly for Valencia, I went there for the prospect of the Anglo-Spanish Society visit there in October, very nice people but most very invited by Lladro and I am not quite old enough to start collecting this piece that are amazingly expensive. Then Richard and I went to Sitges report of which is here below. (and am completing it too) As I came back from Barcelona, I went straight for Lunch _could not eat anything_ at the Rotary as I though that there was a council meeting afterwards, there wasn’t one! Had a meeting the following day for the Arts Club Charitable Trust where I championed a candidate for a grant and was pleased to have another of my candidate championed by someone else, so they both got something! One of them is Dunja Lavrova, mentioned before, I went after lunch to the New-York City Sales Mission where I got some great new contacts and then to CIRCA. On the 27th I was delighted meeting Patrick (another one) at the Loriner’s Luncheon in the Apothecaries Hall, there was a meeting of the GBA at the New Connaught Room in the evening, but I not quite sure that I attended! In fact, I must have felt quite tired after one of these City Luncheons…. To add to my predicament, I went again to the City the following day for the Bishopsgate Ward Club AGM and Luncheon at the Leather seller’s Hall and I had to meet my good friend Ricardo in the afternoon, I arrive with a good two hours late! Sorry again! I had to pleasure to see Ricardo ( he is our contact in Argentina) again on Saturday when we had a gathering of friends.

May to be updated after the weekend, catching up! Have a lovely weekend.

March 2006

March 2006, on the 1st, I attended the first meeting related to the Rotary International 2013 Convention, this is very exiting as I can reveal that London is pre-selected to host this event where up to 60,000 will attend, the year after the Olympic. On the 2nd, I met various people from the London Development agency with regard to 2012 this was a presentation to businesses in the East End entitled ‘Olympics and your business’ I have made the best of it and came up with a lot of contact. On the 3rd was a meeting at GTA (Gulliver’s Travel Associates they actually own Octopus Travel and various other brands) with regard to taking care of the accommodations for 2013. On the 4th for a little more fun we went to Making your Mind Up with Terry Wogan and ended up in the Green Room with all the artists and their families throughout the show! I liked the wine and nibbles….
The following week I have attended various meetings, luncheon and dinners at my various clubs one noticeable was my City Managers Luncheon Club held a the Butcher’s Hall, always love to get there (meet every month) but don’t always have the time. Diana Armfield and Bernard Dunstan (both RA) were feted at the Arts Club on the same day.
I spoke to the Rotary Club of London (still have to frame this Speaker’s Certificate) on the 13th as Ambassador for Springboard about Hospitality as I was asked not to speak about charity, bit difficult but I obliged. The following day I went to Scotland and full report is found on this blog. I was supposed to attend upon my return from Inverness a Rotary evening and a St Patrick’s Reception at Claridge’s needless to say I was too tired to attend either. (apparently it was a bit chaotic at Claridge’s).

Over the weekend I met my friends from Lithuania and took on this very talented painter and was given a few etchings (very good see my other blog – Edita) to suss the market for her. Prepa

On the 21st I took the Anglo-Belgian Society to the Wallace Collection for a guided visit followed by tea and cakes, I know very civilised… it was and I will repeat this next year, very successful.
On the 22nd I attended Promo Marketing at the Barbican, France at Lord’s (Trade wine Fair) and a reception for the IOD at the new City Hub. On the 23rd There was a Rotary District Council a private view at Alexia Goethe’s Gallery and a dinner a the Savile fro my Whitefriars Club. The next day I went to Malta and this is also reported in this Blog with pictures. Coming back just in time on Monday for a meeting of the Rotary Club of London International Services Committee that I was chairing. ( had to skip lunch) Had another meeting for the 2013 project in the evening. The first meeting I attended of the Red Cross Ball Committee was also in March at the Residence of H.E. The Swiss Ambassador. Also attended STEPS at the RHH and a very good London Road show at the Westbury before taking to train to Wales on the 31st.

Diaries - December 2005 to February 2006

December 2005 Back from Barcelona, where I had a fab and educational time at the EIBTM, Friends from Paris visited over the weekend.
Michael Crawford came to talk at the Rotary and had to leave promptly to attend the council meeting of the Association of Conference and Events, in the evening Red or Dead had a party at the Kempinsky Courthouse Hotel with my good friend Tatiana H-S’s hats and other creation. “Le Tout Moscou” was there and we had a bit to much of Stolli-Bolli. Rasputin was indeed in jail but somehow manage to be with the models too, these monks, really!
The rest of the month, there were many events such a Mandarine Napoleon at the Sheraton Belgravia and the monthly drinks at the RABC, a party in the Middle Temple, Christmas parties for the Anglo-Spanish Society at Canning House, Danish Club at the Arts Club, Rotary, The Arts Club, RUKBA’s Carols service at St Michael’s Chester Square and the Press view of Tintin at the Barbican where we met the cast and even the widow of Herge.

We went away to Belgium for Christmas and going through Wales before returning to London for New Year Eve, which we spent at home!


January 2006 was spent actively organising a seminar in Scotland, a booking that came on the 23rd December for February 2006! In addition, a re launches party for a big bank that I cannot speak about.
There were many parties again, Happy Andalucía at the Meridien Piccadilly, parties at the Newly opened and abs fab Opera Gallery in Bond Street. I went to a pub lunch with my fellow of the Whitefriars’ Club in Fleet Street and took the Anglo-Belgian Society to see the Show Tintin at the Barbican, Brief weekend in Athens for the Exclusive Travel Show, that was really very good and might be here on the blog already. I attended also the Events Show where we has a stand with ACE , a reception at the Carlton Club with the IOD and a fantastic exhibition of Warhol at Hausser Wirth where I was either pleased or disappointed not to see me in any of the pictures… Had lunch at the Glazier’s Hall but was not overly impressed with the venue, blank canvas they say but the Hall looks more like a big basket ball arena or perhaps a big squash court. I went to Paris for the Bedouk Show and had a great time too.

In February there was much travelling too, back from Paris I went to Cardiff to see a client, Brussels for the EMIF and Edinburgh where I had the seminar for this big French Group. Notable dinners were for the Cercle Francais at the Arts Club, the Spanish Residence for the Anglo-Spanish Society (after a Civic Lunch at the Guildhall where I met Karl-Ludwig Rehse of H.M.The Queen’s Dress Makers fame- He was actually there with Philip Sommerville)

I have attended in between the Shows: Hotelympia, Confex and London Fabric

I co-organised an evening concert for Dunja Lavrova, a talented young violinist at the Mall Galleries, during which I received a phone call from the facilitator of the French Seminar in Edinburgh saying that as they were mostly ladies they did not particularly care for the visit of the distillery scheduled for the next day. Could I organise something else like a panoramic of the Town? Within an hour, I had confirmed the coaches and French Speaking Tour Guides to take them around Edinburg the following day. I do find a lot of contact under my hat!

The concert was a success if not financially and Dunja gained some exposure with an article in the Independent.

There was a reception hosted by The Prince of Wales Theatre for the IOD and if you would like to organise a reception, concert or conference in one of the Theatre in London please speak to me.

Finally there was also a reception held at the RABC for the Olympic Business Club, fostering business relationship between Belgium and UK business with a view of getting awarded contract for the 2012 game.

Speak to you soon, this will be updated after this weekend. Have a lovely weekend