This place really is opulent. I was accosted by a peacock on the way to breakfast. The hidden speakers buried in all the lawns were playing the theme music to Dynasty at the time. It seemed strangely fitting.

Actally, to say I was accosted is a slight exaggeration. More accurately, we just stood there staring at each other, while he did the whole feather-in-the-air act to shield his wife and babies. It led to an across-the-table discussion about what you should accurately call mini peacocks. We settled on either pea-chicks or chickpeas, although none sounds quite right.

It really was blissful sitting there on the terrace eating exotic fruit and looking out over the pure blue sea. Already the sun was quite hot, and I could happily have stayed there all day. Instead, though, we had our first briefing at nine, in a large underground theatre.

All was going well until we were half way through a long film about technology and inventions when the guy sitting immediately behind me gave a loud, startling death-groan and fell into a seizure. He went as rigid as a board and slid down in his seat, his feet slipping under my chair and kicking my ankles in spasm. It’s the second time I’ve been in a briefing and seen that happen, and it’s really quite scary. Fortunately the whole event is bring fronted by a TV doctor who leapt down from the stage as the lights went up, and did some on-the-spot recovery position action, then arranged for the paramedics to sort him out.

All very professional. And they did well to get the presentation back on track when he returned to the stage. It was disappointing to see how many people crowded around filming it or taking pictures paparazzi style, though. All rather sick.

We were done by eleven - in time for a look at some of the kit and then a wander around the complex here taking pictures. It is not an easy place to photograph: there’s just so much of it, and there always seems to be something in the way. It was a fun way to pass the time, though, until lunch under the heat of the blazing sun. The food is excellent.

This afternoon’s session was fun. Out in the sun taking pictures, for the most part, after which we went for a swim, and then an hour lying around on the loungers chatting about cameras and lenses.

If I was here on holiday I think I would probably get bored, despite the amazing luxury of the place, but as we’re doing activities all the time, and following a timetable, I can tell already that the week is going to fly by.

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