The word quality can be applied to many things: to some things more successfully than others it seems.

After a hectic morning searching for a smart waterproof jacket (my orange sailing one being discounted) K and I headed off to Milton Keynes in search of the Bowl and Robbie Williams.

The Quality Hotel is, supposedly, a 30 minute walk from the Bowl. That’s possibly cross country, or at least through people’s back gardens. After starting off well and safely on the path we ended up in golf club where we were told out 30 minute walk would need to cover, at least, a mile and a half most of which seemed to be along the edge of the road to ensure the shortest route.

After going around the corner to see just how far it could be we gave up and called a taxi and arrived a lot less flustered and tired than the walk would have left us. Luckily we were also on the right side of the Bowl for the Corporate Hospitality village.

Several security checks later, and with a wrist full of different colour bands we sat down to a three course meal and an open bar. I say three courses even though most people eyes were on what seemed to be the largest chocolate fountain ever made. My last experience of eating outside in a tent was the Army summer balls I used to attend many years ago. This was on a smaller scale but the food was just as good.

Outside in the Gold Circle enclosure it was clear that it wasn’t going to rain. The new jacket had worked it’s magic. Everyone I had mentioned that I was going to see this show had said, “you are in for a good show” and from the very start we were. An amazing set riddled with lights, fireworks and gas burners just took our breath away, the sight of Robbie appearing from the middle of the audience from a star trap made us gasp. Most people admitted he looked tired and towards the end he said the show had been a struggle but it was amazing and so was he.

What can I say : quality.