Work Blog 12

Offshore Europe at the AECC , 04/09/2013

So today we decided to pop along to the Offshore Europe exhibition. I'd never been
before, although I have done other trade fares. So, with the flex-time booked, off
we went!

I actually live within walking distance of the AECC but we decided to try the car
park, which turned out to be a field about the same distance away as my place!

But anyway, it was a nice sunny day. In we went and started going from stall to stall.
Each hall was massive and I lost count, but I think there was five or six halls.
What started as collecting the occasional freebie from a stand soon lead to carrying
away three bags each of loot ;)

Mostly pens, a few cups, planners and other bits and bobs. Unusual items included
a rubber duck, a Chinese lucky charm, a back scratcher and a portable coat hook
thingy. The stands I found the most interesting where the island ones. We stopped to
chat to some Falkland Islanders and some Faeroe Islanders.

Aker's stand was a suitably impressive two floored structure and we went up for a
cup of coffee. There we saw the most coveted freebie of the whole exhibition, the
legendary Lego manifold!

There was lots of other interesting things to see and do, but we had started to
run out of time, so after a game of 'hunt the car' we made it back to Kirkhill
before lunch.

It was a pleasant day out and very interesting to see just how massive and global
the oil industry is. Of course we all knew that already, but to see it all laid
out in front of you is very impressive.

I might rent out my spare room next year, apparently people have been making a fortune...