Off Topic Being very very wealthy ...

... is very very strange.

I rarely speak about previous employers, etc because I pride myself on being discreet but ....

... bollocks to it.

I've kept my mouth shut for over a decade, about the Russian, and I've now severed my last ties with him.

The duty of discretion, contractual nda's, fear of legal action, etc have an effect for many years.

I'm actually quite naturally discreet, but at 64 I have realised that I won't be in big demand again. I was sought after for many years because I was dependable, tough and could control big numbers of staff whether resident or travelling. That's changed, all of a sudden, because I've opted for the easy life.

I've had a drinking session with my new employer and spilled the beans on all kinds of things I've previously kept secret. I may regret this when I sober up but I doubt it ... a big page has been turned.

The point of all this is that I was reminded of a mission I was given by the Oligarch I worked for who's wife, ex-Miss Croatia, wanted to visit Westminster Abbey. But of course she didn't want to shuffle around with the riff raff, as we do, and wanted a private visit at night when it was closed.

So I had to organise that, arrange a 'medieval choir', candles and an expert guide who spoke her native language.

So we arrived, by a secret passageway from St Margaret's Church into a totally deserted Abbey lit by 100's of candles and an invisible choir singing gloriously in the gallery.

It was absolutely magical and, for one of the very few occasions in my life, I envied these people.

The ability to have private viewings of 'The Last Supper, the Louvre, Westminster Abbey, etc must be incredible.

I'm glad I'm out of it all but I miss it ...

... is that how we all feel as we age?

No idea, I'm plastered tbh, what does it all mean, dunno

 

You have certainly led a very interesting life Smug!!

 

"I'm glad I'm out of it all but I miss it ..."
When (if) I retire, and become a former upholsterer, its exceedingly unlikely I'll ever ever ever say this.

 

Nathan Brazil, just seen this on your post.

I miss the New Record Inn, and The Old 29. Ditto.

 

I was there that night in the choir. I was the one wearing the head torch. Seriously though, different way of life for some of the mega rich. Id imagine it been quite lonely in one respect mind, as you wouldn't trust many people.

 

Have some more beer and tell more

 

Aren’t you concerned regarding spilling the beans to your new employer that he/they might be thinking “hmmm dodgy f#cker this, I wonder what he says behind my back?”

 

No.

 

Can you remember the lass who used to work in there? Rather revealing taste in clothes iirc

 

Despite the endless opportunities it's quite a closed lifestyle ...

... very few surprises, everything is planned to death.

 

You should write a book, change the names and all that sort of stuff to keen anonymity for them. Would be a canny read to see how the other half live.

 

Riv, I reckon you could write a book about your exploits?? Talking about that I remember a post of yours a few years back when you said you were writing one ? Is this still on??

( just read Olivers post above!! seconded)

 

In vino veritas?

 

Cheers mate, yes I am but it's a novel based on things that have happened over the years.

It's nice to see I'm not met with a tirade of 'bullshit' accusations, on here, as I am elsewhere. I eventually stopped bothering on RTG because everything just ends up being swamped by abuse.

I'll drop the odd thing on here and see how it goes ....

... just rest assured its all true, I'm not clever enough to make this stuff up.

 

Wont hold out much hope for this novel then

Its all very believable what you've written, from my experience.

I will say that all of the super rich people I have business or personal relationships with are generally very well grounded people, have good support networks, and do a lot of good with their money (including invest in good businesses oop north ). They aren't flashy as such, it's more stuff like casually dropping in being personal friends with Boris or the head of Ferrari (writing that made me realise I'm one Bacon level removed from the PM ) Mental to us, but it starts early on with Eton, and then huge, transatlantic hedge funds, and a world that we generally don't get exposed to up here.

 

great reading mate
I will never be wealthy
Because I’ve had to work for every single penny I have
I enjoy my nice home many nice holidays , cars and nice things
But have worked for 50 years none stop
Never been lucky in striking a good deal or been handed wealth
Much like quite a few of us
It’s nice at times to see the way these people use there wealth
I’m sure you will have many tales to tell
I’m looking forward to the stories

 

Enjoy the vino smug. Great stories to tell. Look forward to catching up and hearing a few more. Enjoy.

 

Are those all your dogs?

 

Yes they are . The one on the left and the one in the centre the black one are brothers. They are 14 months old. The old girl on the right is 12 now and struggles to see or hear but tries her best to chase them around. They all get on with each other never a cross bark or scrap.

 

They all look fantastic. We lost our Dalmatian this summer so for the first time in 40 odd years there is no dog in my house. The old girl is very similar to our girl Sammy who left us about 8 years back

The Mrs has just had a look and said. Ahhhhhhhhh beautiful