My first trip to the Geneva Motor Show was hectic. It already seems a million years ago, but what with writing exceedingly brilliant news articles, it’s hard to find the time to blog.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, it was very last minute that I knew I was heading to the show, so two late trains, one missed flight, and a ride in Geneva rush hour later, I was at the plush hotel and holding up my group, there courtesy of Nissan UK.

After a posh meal, of which I didn’t eat much (being a fussy cow who doesn’t like Chinese), I scoffed on mini bar treats and laid my head to rest, ready for the early start ahead.

7.30am. Geneva Motor Show. A huge queue of journalists all wanting press accreditation. Having come across some familiar faces, my bleary-eyed self woke up, and not too much later, I was let loose to the bright lights and cars of the show.

Between rushing around talking to press officers, picking up press packs and interviewing people: Angus Gray, Infiniti regional director northern Europe and Paul Williams, UK SsangYong managing director (see AM March 21 issue) to name but two, by lunchtime I was dead on my feet and on the hunt for food.

In between chatting to manufacturers, seeing old journalist faces, and seeing overhyped car launches, for example, Volvo XC60 (even if I do think it’s a good car), I used some of the time in between to wander and wonder about the range of weird and wacky cars on show.

Concept cars like the Nissan Pivo 2, which has a mood detecting robot on the dashboard, was hard to get my head around. On the other hand, the Land Rover LRX and Renault Laguna coupe seem much more likely to go into production, in some form at least.

The unveiling of the Alfa Romeo 8C spider was at 3pm. But at 1pm I was talking to Alfa PR manager, Anna, when the cover was lifted off the car. When I pointed this out, I was told, “Oh that’s Miss Sweden, that’s okay.” I bet I wouldn’t have got the same reaction.

I also tried to convince Anna that I was one of the people who deserved to get one of the 500 8C Spiders. Mine would be especially special because it would be free! No luck there either. Back to my Polo it is.

Infiniti’s European launch heralded a big soiree in the evening, which also featured the unveiling of Infiniti FX50. Not before some bad dance music and some people/actors/dancers/goths appeared in various odd outfits in anticipation of the car.

Best costume-winner was a camp-looking man who wore massive black transparent wings, so big they swept over most of the audience’s heads. Runner up was a strategically-placed black lace number on a slim female. You can but imagine…

Bored of nibbling on food, some fellow journos and myself went back to our hotel and had a hearty steak sandwich which finished the day off brilliantly.

All there was left to do was sleep well, spend a couple more hours at the show the following morning and catch a flight home. And this time I didn’t miss it.