Being There

Even in this hi-tech world of virtual tours and interactive maps, nothing beats seeing for yourself. So Joanna and I met at the Theale office early yesterday and headed out on a recce up the M6.

First stop was the Racecourse at Chester. The Long Room will make a fantastic space for us with its view of the winning post, the lush green track and the room’s light, airy feel. They’re a professional bunch at the Racecourse so I know it will be a pleasure to organise – a drop of September sun will make it glorious.

After a punctuated trip through the Mersey Tunnel (NB. Credit cards not accepted at the Toll, if you’re passing that way!) and a brief lunch at an old student haunt, we walked up to one of Liverpool’s most impressive edifices and our second venue of the day, the Metropolitan Cathedral atop Mount Pleasant (currently being scrubbed and cobbled).

A massive contrast to our first venue, the vast, vaulted Pontifical Hall in the Crypt will be a stunning backdrop to our event – I suspect our Spanish suppliers who are booked to join us there in September, Bodegas Ramón Roqueta and Martínez Bujanda will surely approve.

Important details noted, it’s straight back behind the wheel, homeward bound. 450+ miles in a day, 6 soulful CDs played, 3 tolls paid, 2 great venues visited, 2 superb events eagerly anticipated ...

Ian Dunn, Events Manager

Visit laithwaites.co.uk/events