Recently in MIPIM Category

Been at it all last week and this and still haven't managed to mop up everything from MIPIM (nor have I managed to lose my chesty cough, I sound like an old packhorse).

It is certainly the case that I packed a lot in - my most productive MIPIM ever really, and that's saying something!

Could have done without the Budget this week really. Paul Evans is still fulminating about the split infinitive in the ADZ announcement "to further understand indeed!" he huffs. He also thinks there is more to all of this than meets the eye, as he puts it "more to it than a few civil servants going to Stratford". We intend to get to the bottom of it and issue a statement next week.

A lot of e-mails to wade through. And a lot more to write. Ross Sturley has sent me this photo with the caption Giant bag terrorises London.

I genuinely don't recollect resting my handbag on the London model (How very irreverent! Sincere apologies to Pipers) but clearly I am guilty as charged, although I reject his accusation of devising a secret weapon to sail down the Thames and demolish Tower Bridge! The idea!

Was a bit disappointed to learn that the Octopus scheme, planned for Chiswick Roundabout (see blog 23 December), has been refused by Hounslow on the grounds that the building and the adverts projected from its five screens would distract drivers.

Apparently the Highways Agency have been a bit po-faced and objected to the development, arguing it was an unsuitable building so close to the M4 flyover and a busy roundabout. (Blimey! Has anyone seen Julian Barwick's gold hotel at Paddington in the sunlight? I think it could be an air traffic hazard!)

Ah, the joys of hotfooting it round to the old port in the glorious sunshine to my favourite event at MIPIM, the Broadgate Estates lunch at Le Gaston Gastounette. A regular fixture on Thirsty Thursday, with an added poignancy this year as it is Barry Winfield's last MIPIM before he retires.

As I was partially responsible for his first MIPIM (and have fond - very fond - memories; oh how we laughed, I have never laughed like it) I wouldn't have missed this last excursion for the world. And it was delightful to be spliced between Barry himself (so, cortical deafness in my right ear now) and my old mucker Peter Wynne Rees (good chance for a catch up).

The food is always superb in Le Gaston, although the service was very slow again, and I had to leave before dessert, clutching my tasteful Broadgate Estates cuff-links for 'imself (that lot are his fan club in any case, I get so fed up with "How's James?" questions - of course they all worked with him in Stanhope days - I nearly prepared a press release) in order to get to my meeting with my old boss, Jack Jacobs in Levouillier, right by the Carlton.

Who doesn't love Uncle Jack then? Looking relaxed and tanned, despite the recent health scare (poor Sally) and now totally recovered and in the pink (and glowing about his seven grandchildren including Richard's twins). Wants me to go and look at Margate for him. And Hove. Well, I guess old habits die hard. I'll go and look at Margate. And Hove. 

Packing for MIPIM, including the sunglasses (Primark rather than Ray Bans, naturally) and hoping against hope that it will indeed be sunny. 

MIPIM is officially, of course, the end of winter and apparently this has been the longest, hardest winter in the UK for 30 years. I don't know anyone who isn't sick to the back teeth of it now and, on behalf of the entire UK delegation, I am now pleading for a little sunshine over there. We need to draw a line.

I have worked my socks off in the run up to this MIPIM. BURA is launching its "Framework for Regeneration in More-for-Less Britain" on Wednesday at high noon hosted by CBRE in the Gray d'Albion. And we have much to say in the run-up to the general election. I've been telling folk that it's the hot ticket at MIPIM and, indeed, it is nearly sold out.

Our BURA@20 drinks Reception (our MIPIM Birthday Party really) the night before at Bar "Le Must" (no, I didn't make that up) is also a sell out. BURA is 20 years old and MIPIM is 21 years old, so there is a longstanding relationship here.