There are many shades of sales conference. I'm just off to the annual Pan Macmillan one. After a couple of years of hauling everyone to London we decided to move to the seaside - Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. This is what it looks like in the Summer.

We've invited a stellar cast of authors and booked the Grand Hotel built in 1875 and almost certainly still using the original plumbing. I believe tonight will  be a black tie affair which is definitely in keeping with the surroundings.

The only problem is that at 3 o'clock this morning it started to snow. Train schedules are at risk. Roads will be blocked. It doesn't take much to bring Southern England to a halt but I'm pretty sure our teams will battle through. I'm setting off now and hope to be 'enjoying' the beach later today rather like this lot. Not quite Bondi Beach but the best we can do in England in February.