The cheapest and easiest way in from London is probably on Go 0845

The cheapest and easiest way in from London is probably on Go (0845 605 4321) from Stansted to Munich, then the two- to three- hour train ride to Innsbruck. In December, there is the added attraction of a Christmas market, as well as a series of concerts at various different venues, including some of the churches and the Folk Art Museum (1). BEAM DOWNSince the Stansted-Innsbruck flight ended, there are no direct links from the UK. WHY GO NOW? Because of its magnificent location in the middle of the Austrian Tyrol, Innsbruck is a great place to go for a weekend at any time of year; it has all the cultural attractions of a small city, but is only a cable- car ride away from the mountains. He is also a director of ProShare (UK) Ltd, the organisation which looks after the interests of the investor in the corridors of power..

Trouble is it's a Canadian outfit, High point Telecommunications, quoted on the Alberta Exchange.Terry Bond has been a newspaper journalist, broadcaster and author, business partner of the round-the-world sailor Sir Chay Blyth, owner of an international public relations business and a European property company and sales and marketing director of a major PLC.Now he is a private investor with a substantial portfolio, involved principally in British and American equities. This week Postman Pat brings me a unique communication: a welcome pack from a company whose shares I recently bought. There's a chatty letter from the chief executive and details of the company's history and its products, latest press releases and biographies of top managers. A simple bit of public relations, it reinforces my interest and makes me feel part of a shareholder club.I hope to buy around 60 new shares a year, and this is the first time any company has said thanks for investing. It could be that none of the shares on my short list satisfy my criteria, in which case it will be back to the drawing board I will let you know the outcome in next week's column.PS. All this takes time and suddenly there are no more days left this week.

Never mind, we're going to invest pounds 14,000 so there is no point in rushing. Obtain the latest annual report from the relevant registrars. Check to see whether the companies have websites, and if so is the information useful or just dressed-up advertising? Are directors buying or selling? Have the institutions got substantial holdings?Finally, I comb the archives to see whether the companies have been getting good or bad press coverage. What does each company do or make? Do I understand it? No use buying into a business that is too technical for my simple mind, as I will not be able to use common sense when I make my decision.There is still a lot more homework to do. In no particular order they are: Springwood, Merchant Retail, LPA, Interlink Foods, IS Solutions, Bristol United Press, Bensons Crisps, Amey, Fitness First and Ask Central.What a mixed bag! I weed out the minnows, anything with a market capitalisation of less that pounds 50m, and I'm left with Springwood, Merchant Retail, Bristol United Press, Amey, and Fitness First.Now it is down to personal preference.