Kilkenny, Nürnberg

She waited, Kate Croy, for her father to come in, but he kept her unconscionably, and there were moments at which she showed herself, in the glass over the mantel, a face positively pale with the irritation that had brought her to the point of going away without sight of him.

I get to the hotel early. It’s just as well - the room needs rearranged. Even with the tables sorted it’s a huge room - big enough for 150, but only 25 expected.

The delegates arrive, some with workbooks, some without. They have managed to distribute them to the wrong people. Thankfully the hotel prints out more - and in colour. The afternoon’s handout is also a problem- it’s in French!

One team invite me to join them this evening for a visit to the xmas market. It’s huge, crowded, and freezing. Every entrance is blocked by a police van and security is very visible. We drink a glühwein and quickly head for a bar.

Our group is made up of four Germans, four Croatians and myself. Management, outsourced developers, and a trainer. Management lead us to O’Sheas - the inescapable Irish pub. The Germans drink Guiness and Kilkenny, the rest of us order Helles.

One beer and I’m ready to go. Drop my bag at the flat, head to a bar only to find that their kitchen has shut, so I return to Veggieman. Where I have an excellent gnocchi with creamy vegetable sauce.