Arrival

(Because an opportunity to use an ABBA album title as a blog title should never be missed )

The usual East-to-West jetlag has kicked in and, despite being in bed and asleep at 10:30 pm and being due a decent sleep, I woke up at 1:30, then 2:30, then 3:30 and although my eyes wouldn't open and my body won't move, my brain was raring to go, thanks very much I'm learning to like this side of jet lag, though, because morning's are great for getting things done. By 4:30 I was ready for a coffee and will try to get all my non-work stuff done before I head into the office for the first time.

The first thing to say is a heartfelt thanks to everyone for the many encouraging comments and good wishes yesterday. I only meant the blog as a note that I'd be working at Pythian, to remove any mystery about why I was going to Canada, and didn't expect so may comments when I got here. It was quite uplifting after a long journey. So was being met (slightly unexpectedly) by Alex Gorbachev. As I was going to collect my bags for the last time, I was browsing some blog comments and noticed that Alex was coming to meet me as well as Paul Vallee. I'm glad I read the comment, because otherwise I would have been even more disconcerted to find a stranger taking my photograph as I descended an escalator in Ottawa Airport! (Alex was wearing a hat and the camera obscured his face, so wasn't instantly recognisable.) Next time I think I might pay a few strangers and supply them with cameras for the full paparazzi effect I might also visit a shower room to powder my nose on arrival so that I look in better shape!

Paul turned up a little later to carry me and my luggage to my hotel but only after some dinner. Here's a small tip for you however, if you're arranging a guide on your first night in a strange city - try to find one who knows where they're going! Despite the fact this is Paul's city and he was trying to find a street where he lived for many years and Alex lives now, he managed to drive me back and forwards across Southern Ottawa for some time and it's definitely not the most interesting or beautiful tourist scene. At one point I thought he might stop a taxi and give him our destination address so that we could follow. Poor Paul realised about half-way through this expedition that it might well appear in someone's blog in the near future

He made it up for it though, in some style, by taking us both to Baton Rouge and recommending and paying for the ribs (yum, yum!) and some beer. I'm going to have to get used to efficient service with a smile and portions fit for a baby elephant, but I'll see what I can do

As a contractor for some years, I've never been treated this well on arrival and I'm used to finding my own way and taking care of myself, so it was all a rare treat for which I was grateful.

Then it was on to my accommodation which is a basic Travellodge (lots of previous UK experience of them) but is actually a small apartment and much more suitable for a four week stay. Generally I have one of two reactions when I turn up in the dark for my first night of a stay. Either the place is palatial and I dance a little jig of joy (metaphorical, I can reassure you) or it feels like I've arrived back in my childhood, moving into our latest bare-bones military home devoid of any character or personal touch that's clearly been lived in by many before me. I normally solve it by unpacking everything just how I like it before doing anything else, but I was so tired by this time, it was a half-hearted job.

As usual, I woke up the next morning, the place looks fine and I know I'm going to be okay Free wireless access; remote access to my server (I might blog a bit more about the mechanics behind that later); one of those very useful mini coffee makers (but why, oh why, can't they give you more than one coffee bag?) and my own iron and ironing board.

Bliss