I was fortunate enough to stay in the very comfortable Hyatt Hotel during my stay in Birmingham last week. It has a tunnel linking directly to the ICC where the prestigious Infection 2009 conference was held which I was promoting.
After arriving on Tuesday evening, I was invited to join Sir Richard Sykes, the conference president, and other speakers for a pre-conference dinner. As I was dropped off at the Hotel du Vin for a champagne reception, I was told by the taxi driver: “This is where Simon Cowell stays when he is in Birmingham with X Factor.â€
As far as I am concerned, it is our research scientists who 
have the X-factor trying to find solutions to infections like MRSA and C.difficile, and many, many more.
Each morning it was dark when I woke up and dark when I returned to my hotel, so I paid no attention to the gigantic white structure which was being erected outside the hotel and could be seen from my bedroom window. I had noticed the two-base pins as I arrived, and thought no more of it.
As I left on the Friday, I had a great surprise when I saw the almost completed fabulous ferris wheel in all its glory. It then dawned on me that I hadn’t set foot outside the hotel and ICC complex since arriving three days before, that I hadn’t had any fresh air in all that time as I had been so busy. I had been totally cocooned. Even our conference dinner was held on the conference site.
I hope Birmingham enjoys its 60m ferris wheel fondly known as the “Brum Eye†which has returned after a three year absence. The gondolas had not been fitted, so I was unable to give it a try; I would loved to have had a bird’s eye view across the city of Birmingham.
Maybe one day we will have one in Cambridge too.
*I want to add that despite its comfort, the hotel disappointed me because its energy saving lights were too dim in the bedroom for reading. I felt I needed to shine a torch on the pages of my book. The lounge area was dim too, and I gave up trying in the end.
If Blackpool gets a ferris wheel, will it be known as the “Black Eye” ?
Jeremy, yes, good one!
that is the trouble with all energy saving bulbs….. rubbish !!
Sally, in theory they are a great idea, but I have yet to find any that provide the kind of brightness I need for reading. I was totally dimmed out.
Pleased you liked the pun. Can I add your comment to my list of testimonials ?
Jeremy, of course, be my guest.
I was hoping the ferris wheel wouldn’t return.
You should definitely have one in Cambridge!
I am glad you had a good time at the conference. I will have to see if I can get some pics of the wheel when it is fully completed.
Ah well much as I dislike the Peter Hitchens approach to rape it seems his approach to lighting wins points. He has stock piled 100W bulbs. Perhaps the credit should go to Mrs Eve Hitchens who is in charge of lighting policy in their house. She must be a very special person to keep him happy, or have the emotional skin of a rhino. Mind you he is very seldom at home which must make it easier. He is often in hotels 😀