Entries categorized as ‘travel’
Without wishing to over-cook it, this is probably the most exciting news I’ve ever posted here, with potentially huge business implications. Intrigued? You should be…
Last year we applied for a British Airways Business Opportunity Grant, with a prize including 12 business-class flights and 5 cargo shipments, across the BA network.
The grant is for small to medium-sized companies and it’s assessed on how a year’s free business travel would help to achieve specific, measurable business objectives.
Having submitted a carefully-worded application, we sat back…and waited. And last week we were told, along with 99 other businesses, that we’d been successful!
I was out when I got the news and, on my return, was greeted by the rather fetching handmade sign, above. Karen clearly has too much free time. Haha, so not true!
Karen was deliriously happy as she’s “never won anything. Not even in a raffle”. On the other hand, I was very optimistic as the grant just fits our objectives so perfectly.
It means 2010 will be a year of growth and progress, just as we’d planned. We’ll visit key territories, make retail pitches, set up US distribution and attend trade exhibitions.
This is a huge boost for our business, allowing us to accelerate our expansion plans, and even removing the worry of meeting costs for stock and equipment transportation.
True to form, we’ve already mapped out our business travel plans for the next 12 months. It’s gonna be an incredible year! I’ll keep you posted as things take shape 
Categories: marketing · news · olli & lime · partners · places · retail · travel · usa
Amidst some Christmas laptop housekeeping, I found a folder full of (759!) Chicago pics from back in May. I plain forgot to post any then, so thought I’d share some now.
The home of the original skyscraper and the tallest in the US (currently), the skyline is legendary and it’s easy to see why. I just love the sheer scale of this place.
The ‘El’ is the heartbeat of the city. Kind of ugly and old but strangely beautiful…
You wait ages for a bus and then…
Difficult to appreciate the size of this ‘God Bless America’ sculpture. The Tribune building is fantastic, though I cut off the all important tower…
As a skyscraper fan, I spent most of my time staring upwards in varying degrees of amazement. The next few shots offer some vertical highlights…
Those were numbers one (Willis/Sears), two (Trump) and four (Hancock) on the list of tallest buildings in Chicago.
The next couple are slightly less well known, but equally amazing to look at. The Lake Point Tower…
…and the beautiful Marina City AKA ‘Corn Cobs’…
Finally, the thing that had the most impact on us. A beach…in the middle of the city…
And that’s how I remember Chicago!
Categories: life · places · travel · usa
Any more Boston posts and I’ll need a new header. Don’t fret, nearly there.
Anyway, regulars will be familiar with our love of treading the ‘open house’ path. This time though, we loitered with a little more intent.
So, this final(ish) Boston-themed post (delayed by our most inconvenient and time-consuming trip back to the UK) gives a flavour of our open house experience.
And when I say ‘house’, I actually mean condo…we don’t have a spare $3,000,000! These are only exterior shots of some we visited but you should get the idea.
We saw some great places, all within an area we (stupidly) hadn’t considered before. It’s got a great feel and is a short ‘T’ ride to the centre…even walkable at a push.
We’re serious about relocating by the way. In fact, everyone who knows us is fed up with hearing about it (sorry if that’s you) and will be thinking ‘just shut up and go’.
If it were that easy we would, believe me. It’s a big move, with masses of influencing factors. I do feel we’ve taken a step closer though, so watch this space…
Categories: life · our house · places · travel · usa
I’ve stopped posting every little thing that we’ve done in Boston, for fear of turning the blog into a holiday diary! Having said that, just a few quick snaps I must share…
Above is Back Bay viewed from Harvard Bridge. And here’s the Hancock (big building on the left) from the Prudential (big building on the right)…
Not the most impressive skyscraper city, but with a distinct beauty. Downtown itself offers a tapestry of architecture which just makes you (well me anyway) gawp…
Apologies if you’re not a fan of our holiday snaps; we’re returning to England in a few days so normal blog activity (including O&L news!) will soon resume
Categories: life · olli & lime · places · travel · usa
When I read those words, I can’t help humming the tune, Peter Griffin style. It is relevant though (not just an indulgence), I promise. First, a few more pics…
These all come from the Seapoint District; an area we fell in love with during our last visit to Boston, partly due to the incredible array of converted warehouses…
…and partly due to the obvious sea proximity. The area also houses the Institute of Contemporary Art, in one of Boston’s most striking, modern structures…
…plus the wonderful Boston Children’s Museum…
So, what’s with the bird reference? Well, we discovered a hidden gem during a scheduled pitstop; the very welcoming Flour Bakery and Cafe…
…and so did this little guy…
A Blue Jay unless I’m very much mistaken. Actually, he seemed like a regular; very at home in his surroundings. He even hopped onto our table at one point
Categories: life · places · travel · usa
Just a quick post following yesterday’s Halloween celebrations, which were a bit of an eye-opener for us Brits. We just don’t celebrate the occasion like they do in the US.
From doorways to shop windows, everywhere you look is a pumpkin or ghoulish display! The evening was enjoyed by kids and adults alike…really nice to see :-)
Categories: halloween · holidays · life · places · travel · usa
We spent most of yesterday walking around Brookline but I won’t bore you with pretty tree-lined streets. Instead, take a look at these images, which tell last night’s story…
An almost perfect night of sporting entertainment – as the Celtics cruised to victory – despite the fact that a UK driving licence doesn’t allow you to buy beer!
Categories: life · places · travel · usa
Despite saying I wouldn’t post every day, I just couldn’t resist this one. It’s photo-led for obvious reasons; Boston looks simply amazing at this time of year…
Expectedly, there are leaves everywhere. So much so, this bench was able to cunningly disguise itself as pile of leaves. We weren’t fooled though…
It was actually a very grey start today, but the skies quickly turned blue and the sun emerged. We spent about eight hours walking this most walkable of cities…
These are just a few favourite snaps from a day that saw us get re-acquainted with some familiar sites, like the public gardens, the River Charles…
…the waterfront…
…Back Bay and Beacon Hill…
We did, of course, encounter plenty of pumpkins along the way. Halloween is a pretty big deal in these parts, so I have a feeling Saturday will be fun!
Boston is pretty photogenic but I should give some credit to my new camera, which is holding out pretty well. Anyway, another day of exploring beckons…
Categories: life · olli & lime · places · travel · usa
Well, we’re finally here! After a very long trip from door-to-door, we’ve arrived in our beloved Boston. I’ll cut to the chase, here’s where we’re staying…
We’re in an apartment on the top floor, which means navigating these (three flights!)…
…with these (very heavy cases!)…
Not fun…except for Karen, who was mostly watching! Anyway, it was worth it, as the apartment’s great. The balcony even has a view (through trees!) of the Hancock…
I ventured out first thing to pick up some essentials. This included the Boston Globe, which featured a very unfortunate defeat for the Yankees…
Fellow Red Sox fans will appreciate the irony. Anyway, we’re off out for the day to get re-acquainted with our favourite US city.
I won’t be posting every day, but I’m gonna put anything significant here. I may even make time to bring you some company news!
Categories: life · places · travel · usa
Just a few days ’til our Boston trip so we’ve been up to our necks in last minute prep. As a result, posting’s been a struggle lately, sorry! Anyway, here’s an update…
Anyone who knows how we feel about Boston won’t be surprised to hear we’re like pre-Christmas kids at the moment! We’re so excited to be going back! It’s been a mad rush to get everything done before we go. So much so, the time has flown by. In any case, the work doesn’t stop when we reach Boston…
We’re punctuating our usual (and rather familiar) sight-seeing, with some buyer/store-owner meetings. Don’t want to curse anything though, so won’t mention any names! Also, expect normal(ish) blogging and tweeting regularity while we’re away! Plus we’ll still be picking up emails and comments via trusty MacBook/iPhones!
Thinking about it, thanks to the wonder of technology, we’ll be running things pretty much as per normal. So (you may ask) how exactly is that a holiday? Well, at the risk of sounding corny, we really enjoy what we do (honest). Doesn’t feel like work most of the time; more an extension of our life, so it makes perfect sense to take it with us!
Finally, I apologise in advance for the distinctly Boston-flavoured posts that will no doubt be plaguing the blog over the coming days. Forgive my indulgence! Oh, and in case you don’t get the ‘hub‘ reference, it’s one of the numerous Boston nicknames bestowed on the unofficial historic and cultural capital of New England
Categories: life · olli & lime · places · travel · usa
