Sellafield sites blogs
Sellafield sites blogs are completed by Sellafield Ltd employees and other people working on behalf of the Company. The blogs will give you an insight into the work undertaken on our sites and the personal experiences of our workforce. Please click on the links below to find out what it is like to work for the UK's leading nuclear decommissioning organisation.
A press officer in Prague
Posted by: Karl Connor on 11 February 2008
I only found out that I was heading out to the PIME conference on communications in the nuclear industry, on Friday lunch time, so instead of my usual weekly reward of a leisurely lunch in the Visitors Centre, I raced off home to frantically look for my passport.
The afternoon was then spent trying to find flights, arranging a room and hiring a car to get me to the airport -- many thanks to Elaine and Linda, without whom none of this would have been possible.
I then had to break the news to my girlfriend that out pre-Valentines romantic weekend at home was cancelled, news she took better then expected (it'll no doubt cost me in the long run.)
I must say that I was rather apprehensive about the trip -- I've only been with the company for three months, how could I possibly represent Sellafield Ltd in the company of experts from around the world? My dad said it best when he called me over the weekend -- if our bosses didn't think you could do it they wouldn't be sending you.
Confidence restored I headed off from Thornhill at 9am on Sunday, ample time to catch my 3pm flight from Newcastle. And just as well I'd given myself plenty of time, as drove at snails pace through the heaviest fog I've experienced, which stretched all the way from home to about two miles before the airport.
The flight was fine and I found a reasonably priced cab to the hotel, where I was greeted by a bellboy who opened the taxi door and carried my bags to the room. Those of you know me as Karl the lock forward at Egremont RUFC will know I'm not really used to that kind of service, and nice as it was it did make me feel a little awkward, I mean, I'm 6ft 4, over 20 stone and consider myself reasonably strong, and here I was letting what looked like a 5ft, 8 stone pensioner struggle to haul my bag. I did try and take it from him but he insisted. At the room (which by the way is fabulous) I gave him a tip and think I worked out the con he was playing.
I'd had my money exchanged and the lowest note I was given was for 200 Czech Krona, which I think is about ten pounds. I reckon he'd know that, and know I'd feel I had to tip him for his efforts, hence the insistence on carrying the bag. Still, you live and learn.
Heading for the first sessions now, I'll report back soon.
