If we hold it, they will come

Sydney is a slightly odd place, primarily because people live, work and visit here for so many and various reasons.  Australia generally tries hard not to have class distinctions (with varying degrees of success) and their city centres did not grow up over hundreds of years like in Blighty.  Thus, pinstripes vie with flip flops as the dress code, and major company office blocks are often right next door to a backpackers' hostel.  For a sheep, it is a cosmopolitan wonderland of differing cultures, costumes, attitudes and behaviour.

Our venue for the evening, a wonderful little "boutique" beer temple called the Redoak, played host to a similarly varied group of Aberites, young and old, old hands and recent arrivals, academics and commercial types.  More importantly, we tripled the attendance from just a year ago.  If we hold it, they will come indeed.

We were particularly honoured to have Richard Morris as our guest, the Consul General for New South Wales and the Director General of UK Trade and Investment in Australasia.  Refreshingly, he would rather for the evening just be a fellow Aber grad and was treated as such, and a great companion he proved to be.  Roger Donbavand, a member of Aber's Development Advisory Board had but recently arrived in Australia, and Simon Ashley was, as ever, our most genial of hosts.  He also took Julian for a "nightcap" afterwards, but wiser counsel prevailed for once and my intrepid companion was tucked up in bed in time for a modicum of sleep before the early departure to the airport for the flight to Perth.

I had been treated to a suitably respectful audience with Richard during the afternoon at the British Consulate where the view over Sydney Harbour was truly breathtaking.  Not as good as the view from Consti, you understand, but close!

Raffles and Vertigo

Singapore - clearly one of the entrepreneurial capitals of the world.  You can tell a lot about a country from their media.  In Singapore, the local radio intersperses interviews with experts explaining the benefits of networking events for your business with little "tips of the day" on obscure English pronounciation - the lingua franca of business here.  The presumption is that everybody has their own business, and probably most people do, from the tiny stall to the megacompanies.  If you don't make your own fortune through business then you are presumed to be at least playing the stock market, and tips and trends also wing their way across the airwaves regularly.

Now, for a fashion-conscious sheep who thinks that a stock market is a pen at a Builth Wells sheep auction, this is somewhat confusing.  So I decided not to try and fathom the intracacies of integrated capitalism and instead suffered from severe vertigo in our hotel.  This is called the Holiday Inn Atrium for a good reason.  Its got an atrium.  For the uninitiated, this is a very big hole around which those of a delicate disposition hug the walls as they walk shakily from the lift (which is glass) to their room.  Think High Anxiety for those of you who are film buffs.

One has to wonder how many guests they lose per year as the slightly tipsy bounce off the walls and disappear over the non-too-high guardrails thirty floors up.  One equally has to say, however, that it's highly impressive.

But enough of these side-issues.  We are here to meet alumni and meet them we did.  At the aptly-named Blarney restaurant and bar (Julian was in his element), a great cross-section of alumni (another apt metaphore for Singapore itself) gathered for an evening of nostalgia and forward-thinking.  Andrew Jones and Duncan Edwards were our hosts and, in a country where ties are rarely seen being just 85 miles north of the equator, duly were presented with University ties and tie-pins as a modest thank-you by the Vice Chancellor.  There were a few no-shows (shame on you all) but more than enough guests to keep the chat going and the ties renewed (as well as the new ties).

Too hot to stay inside (I am told that the coldest temperature ever recorded in Singapore was 21C) we drifted out to the terrace where we could marvel at the new financial district, most of which appeared to have been built since our visit a year ago and all on reclaimed land.  This is a can-do society!

The following day, we had some free time before the Vice-Chancellor's plane departed back to Blighty and became unashamed tourists.  Raffles Hotel was a must (Julian's family will now know most of what they are getting for Christmas this year after his visit to the gift shop) as was the National Museum of Singapore and the ubiquitous Singapore Sling.  Then it was back to the hotel, a farewell to Prof McMahon, then a few hours of kip before a very early start to the aiport for the flight to Sydney.

BB with VC in KL

To Kuala Lumpur, always one of the high points of any alumni trip, where we joined up with our new Vice Chancellor, Prof April McMahon, and, as a result, where Julian had a stern word with me about being on my best behaviour.  I ask you, when did you ever see a badly-behaved sheep?  We have a limited range of activities at the best of times - stand, eat, chew, move around a bit, chew some more.

The grand old man of Malaysian alumni, Tan Sri Arshad Ayub, honoured us with a meeting at our hotel where serious and weighty matters were discussed which went right over my head (okay, that isn't particularly high but you get the picture).

Tan Sri Arshad Ayub with fellow Fellow Datuk Zawiyah Baba

Julian was having great trouble getting his room/lift card to work.  Having failed to authorise the lift to take him to his floor and, after someone else helped him in that first attempt, subsequently being unable to enter his room, he stomped off down to reception to complain.  The charming and utterly polite receptionist checked the card and assured him that it was working perfectly, but, since this wasn't placating the irascible quasi-Irishman, sent a bellboy back up with him to check.  The liveried attendant took the card and rapidly slid it numerous times into the slot until it finally turned green and allowed entry:  "See," he said, "there's nothing wrong with the keycard.  These locks, however, are all bloody useless."

Regular perusers of this blog will know that Aber's Malaysian alumni are unparalleled in their pride, enthusiasm, passion and loyalty to the College by the Sea.  Despite it being a long holiday weekend, the usual chaotic traffic on a Friday evening, and very short notice, some eighty Aberites appeared at the delightful lakeside restaurant which was hosting the reunion event.  Not just numbers, either.  There were three Malaysian Fellows of the University present (including a "royal") as well as the whole distinguished Committee of the Aber Alumni Club in Malaysia and the Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University.  It was quite hard to shine in such distinguished company, especially when I found myself stuck on the lazy susan and going round and round - fortunately it was a fish restaurant and no-one cast hungry looks at me as I whizzed past.

There were speeches, gifts, donations, more speeches, more gifts (even Julian got a couple) and what was particularly pleasing was a large cohort of very recent Aber graduates lending their not inconsiderable volume to the occasion. 

Now it's off to Singapore - no rest for the wicked.

Lying on the shoulders of giants

Hong Kong - it's a wonderful place but not, it has to be said, particularly sheep-friendly insofar as grass is not abundant and I was chased off the Hong Kong Football Club grounds and the Happy Valley Racecourse when I tried to have a quiet chomp. I wouldn't have thought they would have missed a few mouthfuls but I suppose they have to have rules for everyone.

It was back to the wonderfully restrained and elegant Hong Kong Club for our alumni reception on Wednesday evening. Giles Surman was our host again and the turnout was excellent, with both old and new friends turning up to enjoy the company and outstanding refreshments. There was one comment I did not appreciate ("Ah, you've still got that bloody sheep") but took it with good grace. I'm also delighted to say that the car stickers went down rather well and I am looking forward to hearing about the sightings of our "Aber Alumni - still kicking the Bar" message all over the island, Kowloon and the New Territories.

A quick word for Julia Surman who was laid up in hospital - you were sadly missed and get better soon.

As it was, I hung on to Giles' shoulder like grim death in order for the photographer Julian (David Bailey he ain't) to take the necessary snapshot and the evening, as usual, overran and we were being politely but firmly shooed out of the reception room by the end.

Julian's speech concerning the importance of employability for our students and graduates was particularly well received and he came away with some excellent ideas and offers for Aber's latest cohort of bright young things. We have now arrived in Kuala Lumpur where it is significantly hotter. Julian is melting with a significant lack of grace and humour whilst I have yet to leave the air-conditioning of my hotel room. Today we have the honour of a meeting with Tan Sri Arshad Ayub before this evening's meal with the huge following of Aberites we have here. More soon.

Useful tips for travellers

Well, we are on our way again.  Me, that is, and the resident idiot Julian who has kidnapped me yet again for a global odyssey.  At least, I hope it's not an odyssey as there is a rather nice ram making eyes at me just south of Borth and whom I'm not expecting to wait twenty years for my return.

Be that as it may, because I doubt, dear reader, you are particularly interested in the romantic leanings of an ovine entrepreneur, we are off on our travels and have just arrived at the first port of call - Hong Kong.  Now you might reasonably expect that Julian, who has travelled the globe on many occasions, a seasoned traveller, a veritable Marco Polo of academic adventurism, would know what he was doing when it comes to organising himself, local customs etc.  How wrong you can be.  Here is a little check list for you all which I would strongly suggest you commit to memory:

1. If you shave, take a razor.
2. If you have a beard trimmer, pack it with the button turned to "off" so that the battery isn't flat when you arrive.
3. Ditto the electric toothbrush.
4. Ditto your Kindle.
5. Take the chargers for items in points 2, 3 and 4.
6. Don't decide to walk from your meeting back to the hotel (about 3 miles) and expect there to be any public conveniences on the way.
7. Get very concerned when the taxi driver has never heard of your hotel or even the street it is on.
8. Never believe a travel agent (see above).
9. Never eat in a restaurant owned by the cousin of the concierge.
10. Never believe a concierge over the definition of "restaurant".

And that's just the first 36 hours of this journey.  I look forward, dear readers, to keeping you apprised of the remainder of Julian's howlers.  Tomorrow is our first event, another great do at the Hong Kong club courtesy of our great friend, Giles Surman.  Apart from not having seen a blade of grass since I got here, the weather is comfortable (locals = freezing), the people as always (concierges notwithstanding) helpful and charming, and I'm just off for a perm and blow-dry - well, a sheep has to look her best after all.

Pampered in the Pampas

Having picked up another new companion (Julian is fast fading in my memory like a bad dream), it's off to Argentina this time to attend the South America Business Forum.  My partner in crime is Cezary Tarnowski, erstwhile Business Finance student at Aber and a general good egg.  Considering he persuaded three different departments of the University to help finance this trip, I would guess he'll go far in financial circles.

Buenos Aires (known as BA to the cogniscenti) is quite cold at this time of year, but the welcome is warm and Cezary is a bundle of energy, insisting on a quick sight-seeing tour as soon as we've got out of the airport.   On the city tour I was made much of, as is only proper, with many questions as to my origin which allowed both of us to wax lyrical on the subject of the wonderful College by the Sea.

Next day was full tilt into the Business Forum.  I should point out that attendance at this event has to be earned and our friend Cezary had written an essay which was so highly regarded he was one of only one hundred delegates from amongst the three thousand who applied.  I did not need to write an essay, as a VIS (Very Important Sheep), but was interviewed by the Chairman of the Forum as the official representative of the University and in order that the delegates could fully appreciate the value of lamb in the world economy.

Argentina is a bit too "beefy" for my taste, cows being about as welcome to me as mint sauce, but the people are extremely pleasant for all that and this Forum has certainly attracted some very senior business types to be grilled by the students.  I sat through sessions on Web 2.0 (didn't quite get my head around that one), marketing, innovation and even on the future of mankind with a senior General Electric executive.  I asked him if androids dreamt of electric sheep but he just smiled condescendingly.

Now, I'm being stuffed (somewhat unceremoniously) back into Cezary's suitcase for the return journey.  A short, but very full, visit of only three days and then its back to the sweltering heat of an Aber summer (stop laughing, you!).

Robert Peston scoops the n'ewes

At Aber Graduation.  Sweet little lambs that they are, all fresh-faced and dumplings ready for the big bad world with a degree of confidence.  My old mucker Robert Peston is here to receive a Fellowship.  The official photographer, however, was clear as to who is the real VIP which is why the photo below has me in full glory but only half of Bobby's face! 

It's hot in Aber this week (when is it not, I hear you ask?), so hot that the magnificent Aber Arts Centre, where we hold these august proceedings even though it's still July, is wilting the willing alumni staff who are manning the stand dispersing goody bags full of freebies to the graduands.  Louise, the Alumni Manager, is trying to convince anyone and everyone to fan her with copies of Prom.  Try it with a woolly coat, I tell her, even one that is barely recovering from the depredations of the phantom sheep shearer.

I did manage to bump into some Japanese distant cousins (okay, so they are bears and I'm a baa but it's close enough) who agreed to pose with me.  Their kimonos were a delight.

Over two thousand new alumni are joining the fold this week, and I am presiding over eight degree ceremonies to get them all scrolled and gowned.  There's more mortar boards here than at the Olympics building site.

I'm off to Argentina soon, attending a prestigious conference where I shall attempt to wean the Argies off leathery beef and onto mouth-watering, succulent, tender and sweet lambikins.  Got to do my bit for the Welsh Lamb Marketing Board after all.