Where we've been, what we've been up to.

September 2006 - Posts

28
September 2006

Following numerous requests (well at least 1) here in full 4 colour splendour are the magnificent "PHWT Lost in Translation 2006" trophies.

For the record Germany won the Penalty Shootout with England winning the Tug of War and the blue riband event the 6 a side football.

n.b The lovely original Grand Master painting in the background was not a PHWT prize and neither were the original artifacts displayed by the trophies.

27
September 2006

The "Lost in Translation" training session in France (football a side) saw staff from Cologne, Leamington and London working together over the three days with lots of learning between the offices and some very entertaining evenings !

As a picture tells a thousand words - here are a few pictures !


The brits picked up some friends on the boat over.


While the cologne team set off overland.


And managed to squeeze in some football practice on the way.


Although the spectators seemed a little uninterested.


Refreshments on the Cologne coach.


"Hands up if you think the Brits will get lost as soon as they cross the channel"


"As expected the Brits get lost as soon as they get off the boat and arrive late"


A little food and drink and everyone forgot the long journey.


A bit more drink
  !


And the dancing begins.


Ruud the Leamington designer ensured he got to know everyone !


Although there was a common theme....


......in his getting to know you criteria.


After the late arrival, a poor turn out for the first breakfast.


After some food, smiles return.


And the sun appears over our accomodation.


The luxuxy annexe was reserved for the Directors !!


The locals were friendly.


And so to work.


Enjoying our work !


The weather helped.


All work and no play.....


So everyone had some excercise.


And some rested before the evening entertainment.


The management !


Packing for home !


The german bus departs.


A final taste of French cuisine on the way home.

25
September 2006

Following an only to be expected German victory in the warm up penalty shoot-out (surely the wrong way round ??)

The main event saw a competitive match ending with an England victory 2-1 in the first PHWT Germany V England international 6 a side football match. England winning despite a strange refereeing decision to disallow a fine goal scored by Jag.

Goals from Andy and Nick sealed victory for England.


The England manager ponders his formation prior to kick off.


Victory in the penalty shoot out (the German national sport ?) sparks early confidence !


And celebrations in the German camp.


The English spectators settle down for Kick Off.


Germany look lively in the warm up.


The English look cold on the side lines !


A tuneful rendition to welcome the teams.


And here they come !


An early skirmish sees Dave the England goalkeeper blooded but unbowed.


"He's behind you !"


The Germans press early on.


English success built on experience in defence.


Jag lets fly from distance!


The second goal finishes off the game.


"Look the ball clearly did not cross the line - we must disallow that goal"


PHWT United !

17
September 2006

Next Thursday and Friday a number of staff from the UK and German offices are going to Northern France for a joint two day training session.

As a reward for two days hard work, Saturday morning will see a classic sporting contest which never fails to rouse passions on both sides - Saturday morning on the fields  of Normandy (well a six a side pitch anyway) will be the venue for the first PHWT Germany V England international 6 a side football match.

We will have a gaggle of reporters and photographers on location and will be bringing a match report and photographs after the game.

15
September 2006

Although another London starter we feel Nick worthy of his very own entry !

His 5 interesting facts are:

1) I’m 6’6” (6’8” if you include the hair) but you might be surprised to hear I don’t play basketball.
2) I was born in Accrington. Yes, as in Accrington Stanley. No, I don’t know who they are.
3) People seem to think I have an obsession with foxes. I can’t understand why!
4) I was once hypnotized and there is still a trigger which makes me behave in a rather unusual manner.
5) I always carry plenty of balloons with me… just in case.

Nick has recently invested in a low key haircut so as not to attract attention to himself....


14
September 2006

Lots of new starters in Leamington in no particular order:

Ruud - who in his own words is "a 20 year old dutch Graphic Designer bloke" he's joined us on a 5 month work placement having justed completed a 6 month placement in Melbourne. After that he'll be off back to Holland to graduate - these Dutchies don't half like travelling !

Claire - is with us as Operations Manager while Hayley is off on Maternity leave and is doing an excellent job of making sure the office doesn't fall apart in Hayley's absence.

Sarah - A big Ant and Dec fan, Sarah has joined as a Project Manager in the Digital department, she's very particular about how her Tea is prepared, so will probably be having deep discussions with Steve Woodcock over the benefits of warming the pot !

Katie - has started with us as a Mac Operator having "managed to escape the dirty smelly world of printing" where she had been since graduating.

 

13
September 2006

In London Liz has joined us as Development Manager and  Alexis as a Project Manager.

Liz's interesting facts about herself:

- When I got married we didn’t tell our families we’d got married for 6 months.  (When we did tell them they were a bit upset they hadn’t been invited…
- I once cycled across Latvia and Lithuania.   I now understand why they’re not highly rated tourist destinations….
- When I first arrived in England from New Zealand, my accent was so strong nobody could understand me. (When I travel round Europe loads of people ask me what language they speak in NZ, because they thought my English was so bad that it must be a second language…)
- I’m not good at remembering names or faces, so if I forget yours please don’t be offended.

And Alexis:

- I want to own a vineyard in Spain
- I have kayaked down a river in thick snow in Newcastle.
- I enjoy watching weird films.
- I worked for the secret service (well almost).
- I once saw a crab trying to grapple with a fish.

12
September 2006

Congratulations to Jessica from accounts who recently went back to Sweden to tie the knot !