One Great George Street - Friday 17th December 2010

On Friday, I somehow managed to get 20 students and graduates to London and back to see our Institution Headquarters and receive a lecture from Roland Grzybek on the Preston Lock project. This is something I am quite proud of considering I was only asked to look into this 3 weeks ago! Furthermore, I wake up on Friday morning at 5:30am and see a few inches of snow had fallen overnight.

However, a fantastic bunch of students do not give into the snow, and despite the elements we set off for London, albeit 40 minutes late - but I wasn't too bothered by that.

We finally get to London, far later than I had hoped and our guest speaker has been waiting around for hours. I can't help but feel guilty, however I remind myself that the weather is out of my control! The lecture on Preston Lock brought out many Civil Engineering issues which gave many of the students a real insite into the sort of challenges they may face after graduating and entering the industry. After the lecture and a buffet lunch, Sally Sudworth takes us around One Great George Street and the students take real interest in the building and what it has been used for. I am amazed by what is on offer at the building and the many elegant rooms inside. Being honest, I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't even heard of One Great George Street until a few months back, but I don't think I'm the only one. I'm staggered as to why this is, because such a building shouldn't be a secret. Every Civil Engineer, up and coming or experienced, should know about this building.

The trip participants enjoyed a few hours free time in London in the afternoon and we eventually made our way back to Cardiff. I return with a feeling of relief and satisfaction of what I have achieved in the day and the enjoyment that everyone else got out of the visit.