Weekends by the seaside near Bournemouth

We went down to the seaside near Bournemouth a couple of times on the weekend, first in the middle of March and second time during Easter weekend. We were very lucky with the weather, and I have changed my view on the British seaside, actually when the sun is shining, it is really lovely. It has its own charm, not so flashy, not so steaming hot, but mild, clean and peaceful.

We had a few cricket games on the beach (only plastic bat and ball) and I really enjoyed it. I am actualy not a bad batman - thanks to the practice from tennis and pingpong!

We stopped by a stately home for afternoon, there was a wedding reception going on, pity we were not invited for a glass of bubbly!

London - the focus of attention

London is definitely a happening place in the past two days, although it seems quite business uausal in our small corner of west London office.

The Obama couple has enjoyed a warm welcome in London, you can't get any more high profile and British than a day like this in London - started with breakfast in Downing street, meeting selected elite of world leaders, meeting the queen (she got a ipod, but I wonder if she would ever use it) and Mrs Obama finished off the day dining with J.K Rowling and Mrs. Brown, cooked by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

They are the style icon, with his trademark smile and relexed yet influential manner, and her ever impressive wardrobe, they are the media favourite but they also have a magnetic appeal to general public around the world.

And they are very very lucky with the weather!

I almost wished Mr. and Mrs. Brown were a bit more glamourous, as the guests are certainly stealing the show here. But they have done a wonderful job being the host of a event watched by billions.

The scale and impact of the protests are not as serious as expected, and seem to be limited to specific groups at the moment.

The hype around the G20 and the rally in the stock market reminds me of the Obama campaign slogan "Hope", indeed in this deep crisis, hope and confidence is the key to lead us through the storm and come out strong. But hope does have to materialize but promises have to be fulfilled and delivered with concrete actions.

The sun is shining, and it also seems there is a fair share of optimism in the market!