The pressure now really kicks in and I must admit to even greater nerves than on the eve of the All Blacks match – and I was a shivering wreck then.
Events
White trumps black as England soar in Yokohama
Chaps, like thousands of fellow Englishmen in Tokyo and back at home in the UK, was near delirious with happiness. And who can blame him?
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Airports
Plenty of dazzle in Daxing; lots of fun (北京坊) in Beijing
The risk in describing Daxing is that you might run out of superlatives. It is an extraordinary testament to architectural genius; and a statement that airports can be beautiful as well as functional, soul-enriching as well as commercial and efficient.
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Events
Travel retail off piste: Moodie and Davitt shareholders at war over sporting showdown
A high-stakes wager, allegedly struck after several pints of Guinness and two bottles of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, apparently involves full naming rights for the company. Even Donald Trump has got involved in the row.
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Events
Whiskey tears will flow but what colour will they be?
But should the Japanese triumph, and thus avoid the All Blacks in the quarter-finals, I say this to Bernard and Conor – bring the Irish on. You will need a new line extension. And I have just the name.
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Events
A chapter closes in Cannes but a new plot begins in Auckland
This must rank as my favourite moment of any Cannes show over the past 31 years, the most thoughtful and touching of gestures and one that made me redouble my vows to do more to help preserve our planet.
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Events
Sleepless on the French Riviera as a Cannes-do spirit kicks in
Dermot Davitt and I are holed up in some style at an apartment overlooking the Croisette. We’re right next to Louis Vuitton, apparently the French luxury brand having insisted on the adjacency. Or was it the other way around…?
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Events
A man for all seasons – but just three colours
I recall my dear friend and ex-colleague Mandy Sime (now happily married and living in Spain with two gorgeous children) telling me it took her longer to pack than she spent at the trade show.
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Events
B.liars, Wild Tigers and pink ribbons: Cannes here we come
I would love to see TFWA show its more familiar progressive side and confer life membership upon Wild Tiger in return for what Gautom and Paul have done.
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Airports
Snowberry, pōwhiri, Pinot Noir and the All Blacks – how Kiwis fly high
The end result represents one of the world’s only skincare bio-discovery gardens, a place of wonder and great beauty. You could walk around the estate for hours, your jaw dropping at every turn.
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Events
Bridging the divide to Macau; opening in style at the Venetian; and feeling the pain in Hong Kong
Hong Kong might represent a tourist ghost town at present but Macau is proving relatively resilient to the escalating crisis faced by its near neighbour.
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Airports
A very Grand Cru, a very big elephant in the room, and a very sweet Peranakan Love Story
The retailer’s decision not to bid on the Changi liquor & tobacco concession – which it has held unbroken since 1980 – came as a shellshock to everyone. Many tears were shed. The DFS team here is like family.
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Events
High tension, high stakes in Hong Kong
The headlines don’t come from a regular world trouble spot where the people are raging against the actions of some despot they wish to see toppled.