Bucharest, autumn morning

I love autumn, and today is a particularly lovely day. It's 8.40 here in Bucharest, though my computer is unkindly telling me it's 6.40, and there's a light mist around the trees in the parks. Here on the tenth floor I have a massive view: admittedly more than half of it is hideous Ceaucescu-era apartment blocks, but in this beautiful, occluded, Turneresque light it all looks wonderful.

My computer died over the weekend, but was resuscitated by the geeks in the office yesterday. I felt rather amputated, not being able to get at my emails and the internet. But in a way it was nice. I may end up living as a remote Scottish crofter yet.

In tiresome, spoilt business traveller mode, I have decided that here the Hilton (the old Athenee Palace) is much nicer than the Marriott, where I'm staying this week. It's shabbier, but the staff are simply lovely. When I first checked in there, I made some random comment about what a historic building it was, and the desk clerk came rushing out from behind his desk to show me the salon and ballroom, which are "part of the National Heritage" - fabulous early c20 rooms, gilded and mirrored. It was so lovely - and he was so proud of it and pleased that I was interested. At the Marriott, all you get is an argument about whether you ordered a non smoking room or not. Oh, and the Athenee had Duran Duran staying last week: the Marriott had Real Madrid. I know which I prefer.