Glenn's Diary

Chapter 17

1st September 2005

Monaco: Land of the rich

Today I went to the hospital to get the OK to have my cast removed from my right leg. The leg's healing well. On Friday I have to travel to Monaco for an appointment with the world's leading Yacht sales and brokerage company. It's important I look 'intact' so they don't fear another accident, which may prevent me from showing up at their annual event in three weeks time; where I'm to be employed to be the motivational speaker.

They want me to speak on teamwork, harmony and togetherness in the company.

Having had a cast on my leg for nearly 7 weeks, has allowed the muscles to atrophy, and in some cases seize into a fixed place. It'll take time to get up to get the flexibility up to full speed again.

Friday 2nd September

Left at 7.00am to drive to Luton airport to catch the 10.35 to Nice, France. As we flew over the French Riviera, there were thousands of people sunbathing on the beaches and swimming in the sea. I was so envious.

On arrival in Nice, I was directed to the helicopter booking stations. I'd been asked to be flown into Monaco by helicopter. Max had asked me to film the helicopter and he flight. There were just 6 passengers.

When I tried to set up the video camera, it showed a condensation fault. I'd had it in my briefcase with a cool bottle of water, which had caused condensation in the camera. It was only as we were descending onto the helipad that it finally worked, so I only got around one minutes worth of video tape for Max.

The walking I had to do through the airports was killing me. I was limping really badly. Remember that I'm crippled in my left leg, which is presently the strongest of the two. Why not get a wheelchair, you may be thinking? Because I'm a proud man. I always overcome adversity; and have determination to survive and succeed. I needed to push myself, to get fitter, quicker.

The meeting went well and then I was driven back to the airport in Nice. I flew back to the UK; drove home and was in bed for 1.30am that 'evening'.

The world is moving at such a fast pace. Who would have believed 30 years ago that you'd ever do a day trip to Monaco from the UK.

Monaco is 'Toy Town' for the rich. It has one of the most affluent marina's in the world. On every street corner, parked illegally there's a new Ferrari, top of the range Mercedes, Range Rover or similar..

I learned a few things about the vulgar wealthy that day. To keep a 100 foot yacht in the water, without even sailing it, presently costs in the region of $400,000.00 a year. $500,000.00 a year with a crew. A 300 foot yacht is in the region of $2,000,000.00 a year.

To see if yachting is to be a permanent part of life, people can take taster charters. Rather than invest in the yacht, they can 'try one out'.

One Russian gentleman had just paid $2,000,000.00 to charter a large yacht...for a week.

Another world! Yet from a socially conscious point of view, how could 'some' of that money been put to better effect in the world?

I got the contract confirmed at the meeting that day. That'll keep the wolves from the door for another month.