Grabber’s Monte Carlo diary
In a parallel universe the Rendez-Vous de Monte Carlo did actually go ahead … and Mega Broker’s Steve Grabber kept a diary.
Tuesday
My idea of shipping in half-a-dozen good old English beach huts covered in union flags to host client meetings on the harbour front has had a mixed response. Admittedly, they are a bit cramped and a little hot (113F yesterday!) and the public toilets are a bit of a walk. But I think they do a good job of letting people know that old Blighty will be doing things a little differently in 2021 post-Brexit.
Certainly, Brexit seems to be "top of mind" for a lot of people. I personally don’t think there will be a "brain drain" as some have suggested. I think if UK PLC has a lighter regulatory touch and opts out of Solvency II while establishing trading links with like-minded high growth economies, we could become the Singapore of Europe – but with a distinctly British flavour.
On that subject, the actors I got in to play British bobbies and serve fish & chips to clients were a bit of letdown: one of them fainted from heat stroke, blaming it on his uniform! So, I wasn’t totally disappointed when the Monte Carlo gendarmes arrested them and bussed them out of town. I had expected that the Monagasque authorities, who seem to be keen on policing the place, would appreciate a few more truncheon bearing uniforms on the street.
Regarding Lady Wroxham, I’ve a good mind to sue the yacht charter company. First, the old tub was more like a Norfolk Broads cruiser and social distancing wasn’t really an option because she’s so small. Second, why didn’t it have a guard rail around the tiny top deck? Poor old Ian Glasses from Luddite Syndicate had one too many of our branded Mega Ales and toppled off! I heard that he is recovering – but imagine what could have happened. He can’t swim, apparently. As it was, he landed awkwardly on the harbour wall and just broke a couple of ribs. He’ll see the funny side of it in time.
