I blogged last year about Minsk and an offer I had to go in late January. For various reasons I was unable to – most due to work commitments. Although such overseas trips involve ‘work’ I do have a day job – which by all accounts is pretty much UK based.

Nottingham in Ningbo

I am still fascinated by Univest’s proposals to create a district for 21,000 people – the work is anticipated to start this year. You can read all about the proposals here. It looks an amazing scheme. The only downside is that it’s quite cold there in the winter! The scale of these projects amazes me.

At MIPIM this year (also ‘work’!) we met up with the Mayor and his Officers from Krasnodar – and that too looks a fascinating place. We have a strategic alliance with them – and again, it is somewhere I would like to see. In particular the architecture is fantastic. Krasnodar are looking for help from UK professionals as they grow their City. It is hoped that the City will have a trip there later in the year. We were certainly made to feel welcome when we met up at MIPIM.

But my latest invite is to the Shanghai Expo at the end of August. The first World Expo was held in the UK at Crystal Palace. The UK have a Pavilion at the Expo – which looks stunning (as indeed do most of the pavilions). Nottingham are taking a delegation – which also includes a trip to Ningbo and the University of Nottinghams ‘twin’ campus. It’s a long way to go, but is very tempting, especially to see the University. They have invited me several times, but I have never really had the reason to go.

Is this it? I will let you know…