A trip to Tallinn to meet a supplier. 

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, and a bit of a challenge from the UK transport wise, if you want to fly from Heathrow I live close so I always go from LHR). 

Flying from Heathrow I had to do via Helsinki. The flight to Helsinki is not great as it’s really outsourced to Finnair, but landed at Helsinki. I liked the gadget on the plane that feeds the output from a camera from the cockpit into the video screens in the cabin, giving you a pilot’s view of the view as you approach the airport. 

A nondescript hour at the airport before connecting with the flight to Tallinn, and the fun began. 

The flight from Helsinki to Tallinn uses an old style  turboprop style plane with propellers. The reservation staff had thoughtfully sat me in line with these 2 meter  lengths of metal whizzing round next to me and reflected on the damage one such device could do to my skull if it came off its fixings. 

Anyway the good side of these planes is that you don’t need a main runway to take off so we were immediately taking off and flying the 65 miles across the straits of Estonia (an offshoot of the Baltic), on  a beautiful sunny day with the sun reflecting on the waters- quite idyllic. 

Barely 15 minutes after takeoff we began descent and I saw a series of ugly Soviet type concrete towers which form part of the architecture of outer Tallinn. Landed after only 30 minutes. Tallinn airport was easy in June 2006- there was one pier and 6 gates so not so hard. Similarly baggage was quickly delivered and I went out to find my “pick up”. 

I have to say that Signe is the most attractive person (to whom I am not married) who has ever collected me from an airport. She had a sign with my name on and I said hello. Other taxi drivers I have met  have had T shirts or shirts which have left a gap showing their waists, but in Signe’s case this was a  planned occurrence and way more attractive than normal. 

We drove to the city through a beautiful old area of town, with timber houses, and Signe took me to an apartment which our partner had suggested I use to save on expense. It was a little basic but extremely charming and I unpacked and went out in search of lunch. I had seen this restaurant called “Africa” and thought I would give it a go. As I waited for my food I heard the kitchen staff talking. Maybe the staff originated from African families, but they appeared to owe their origins to East London rather than East Africa, though the food was good. 

An afternoon on email (life blood of the company) and then dinner with the MD. Nice dinner in a (sort of) Italian and ready for the next day. 

The old town in Tallinn is outstanding. Whereas the outer areas may bear the scars of Soviet architecture, the old town is steeped in history, much mediaeval, and there is a story in every building. I was captivated on the short walk to the office. This itself is in Pikk street, a main thoroughfare in the main town. 

A useful morning in the office, and then a walk to lunch. An “all you can eat” buffet with two cokes for two people was 10 Euros total. 

Another useful afternoon and a walk back to the apartment. Stopped for a beer at a very touristy bar. Germany were playing someone in the world cup (soccer) and looking very good, winning 3 or 4 nil. 

Advice- go to Tallinn in summer. Fabulous energetic people, multilingual, reasonable prices, great service, great food and drink. 

Back to the apartment, quick change and walk back to the restaurant for dinner with the Estonian team.  

Fantastic dinner with the Estonians. Young, energetic, blisteringly multilingual, enthusiastic- I insisted on paying- they were tremendous. 

(I had some feedback next day. The MD, Jan, had talked to Signe and asked about me. Signe’s verdict (allegedly) was “for someone important he’s surprisingly normal”. Sometimes she says the loveliest things……). 

A trip to the office next day, and a quick tour of the old town. This was after a 4 am wake up by garbage trucks reversing to collect their loads. 

Met by my colleague and noted on the walk out that someone had been sick on the pavement next to the apartment entrance. Guess that’s the world cup. 

Tallinn has a very substantial set of Mediaeval walls still intact. It’s like Cinderella live. 

 A beautiful moment in the Orthodox Cathedral on top of the hill, with the beautiful sung worship and a timeless feel to the ancient chanting. I could have stayed all day.Outside to gaze at amazing views over the city. 

A brisk walk down to the lower old town and more history per square metre than you can imagine. Go there. 

Had a long conversation with Jan about labour in Tallinn. One thing struck me. In the UK and certainly France the recent EU expansion has led to the rise of the “Polish plumber”, who risk being demonized as incomers. Apparently in Estonia it’s the “Chinese builder” who is the equivalent. There’s a globalisation essay in there somewhere. 

On Jan’s advice I called in at a (Swiss) chocolatier and bought some beautiful hand made chocolates. I carefully selected a set (about 1 Euro a chocolate) and they were duly wrapped and packed. 

A quick lunch and a trip to the airport. Check in easy and simple boarding to be bused to the plane. 

As we taxied the pilot apologised for only taking off five minutes early. BA please note. 

I sat in my seat to discover I was sat next to a very large and sweaty man who was perspiring freely (“how does he differ from you?” I hear you ask).  

Tried to move to a vacant seat to the consternation of the flight attendant who told me that the weights were carefully calculated and that sitting on the (gloriously empty) seats on the other side of the plane would unbalance it. I gritted my teeth for the 25 minute flight, and watching again the huge chunk of fast rotating metal barely two metres from my skull helped to keep me focused on more important matters. 

Landed at Helsinki and connected for London. Uneventful flight. Finally home and delved on my bag for my wife’s chocolates.  

Unfortunately due to the heat of the day the chocolate had melted and my 30 beautifully selected hand crafted chocolates had become a mix of white, milk and dark chocolate melted into a shapeless blob. 

Shows you what a chocolate philistine I am, but I rather enjoyed my chunk……