29th June 2006
Very busy day in Edinburgh, worked until almost 7.00, back to the hotel and supper in the bar. Had chicken roulade, chips and grilled salmon with a veggie curry, washed down with a couple of pints of Starpramen. The cute Scottish bar maid was on duty, so we exchanged a few words Back in my room, which overlooks Whistle Binkies, a band started to play, so was very tempted to go out, but decided on a good nights sleep instead.
30th June 2006
Today was a wet, wet day, woke to the rain, and still drizzling when we went out for lunch. The lunch was to celebrate the second year of the iBuy project. We walked in the rain to a Thai restaurant called Thai One. Seemed quite a smart establishment with all the waitresses bowing as you entered. Ate a substantial meal of Thai fishcakes, followed with a Sirloin Steak Salad, then grilled Salmon and Ice-Cream to finish. All good practise for next week when I will be back eating at the Thai bar Mai Thai.
Flight back, uneventful, as soon as we were south of Manchester the wearther cleared up.
The installation of iBuy was complete on Sunday 27th June 2004. Just over 2 years ago.
26th June.
Up early again and off to Edinburgh. Today there were no delays on the flights, and I was in work by 9.00pm.
After work, I stayed in the hotel for an early night and supper.
27th June
Today the weather was sunny weather, though not hot. Decided to eat out for todays meal, so tried a Vegetarian Restaurant near the hotel called Black Bo’s. I saw it advertised in the Bigg Issue magazine. Will compensate with a steak tomorrow. Actually the meal was very good. Started with an unusual salad of mango, avocado and lettuce. Followed with a goats cheese roulade.
28th June
Kept my steak promise, went to McKirdys for a steak and chips., then I had a wander through Edinburgh looking for somewhere to eat on Thursday. May try the new Petite Paris to see what that is like. Met up with Ed for a couple of pints at Pivot. Again a sunny day, but not hot.
Today we went to the Wotton Underwood open day. Did not visit the house, we had seen that two years ago. Instead we rode on the 15 inch railway, taking a ride on on the Steam Powered Train. The track takes you a mile or so through the contryside.
After the ride, we went for a long walk around the lake. We saw masses of dragon flies, and fish jumping out catching the low flying dragon flies. The estate is doing a massive amount of tree planting. It is very beatiful, quiet and restful around there.
21st June
Well today was a very breezy day, with mixed showers and blue sky, late in the day it started to drizzle. Quite cold outside, I don’t know where our Summer has gone. I thought about walking up Arthurs seat for mid summer celebrations. Decided it was too cold for that, and too wet. Ah well the nights will be drawing in from now on.
It was supper at the Mai Thai again.
22nd June
Again ate at the Mai Thai
23rd June
Another hard days work, then flew back to Birmingham. Uneventful flight, arrived on time. Popped into see Margaret and David on the way home.
Today there was a lovely blue sky. So I walked to work with no jacket. Stupid, this is Scotland, and the weather changes. Walked back with no jacket in the rain.
Watched England draw 2 all to Sweden at the Mai Thai. Wish all those Scots would shut up and support a British team. Last week they all had Trinidad and Tobago shirts, this week they were all walking around in Swedish shirts. I think I will join that boycott and not come here, well unless they keep me in a job.
Very early up this morning, 4.30 to catch a plane to Edinburgh from Birmingham. Bit delayed leaving, and traffic control at Edinburgh cause a few circuits.
Booking agency rang to say my hotel was over booked, so was being moved to Holyrood hotel, which is a bit of a trek down the hill to the Scottish Parliament, so will not be doing Petit Paris this week.
Instead I ate in the Mai Thai, which has free Internet access, a bar, and several wide screen TVs.
Visited Waddesdon Manor, where there was a vintage car day. Over 90 of these cars turned up and parked in front of the Manor. Picnicked on the lawn in front of the house, and snoozed in the warm sun. Suitably refreshed went home to start the lawn mowing.
17th June 2006
Made our way over to Cambridge for the buffet lunch given to Gonville and Caius donators. Met up with Richard & Andrea. Pictures to arrive shortly. Saw the new Master of Caius Sir Christopher Hum MA, KCMG. Master from January 2006. Previously had a career in HM Diplomatic Service,culminating in postings as British Ambassador to Poland (1996-1998) and to China (2002-2005). Continues to follow the politics, economics and international relations of contemporary China.
Selina and Graham arrived after supper to give me my father’s day present. Thank you very much Selina and Graham. I have very few Who CDs, like none, and I really must get some more.
12th - 16th June 2006
Back up in Scotland for a week working at the Bank. Uneventful week ate mostly at the Raddison Hotel bar. Met up with Mary and Ed for one evening out, where we ate pizzas in the Grassmarket, followed by various pints of beer in various pubs south of Grassmarket. Shall have to retrace my footsteps to see where we went. Remember hearing folk music and bagpipes in one bar, and some R&B music in a Jazz club. It was quite a good evening, which I must not repeat too often.
On the way home to Luton on the final landing run when we could not have been more than 2 minutes from touch down, and no more than 1000 foot altitude, the pilot executed a tight 360 turn. As I left I asked the crew (well one wearing gold bands) why. He said ah, so someone did notice. Gave some reason of being too high and wanted to lose height. He was not overly sure as he had not be piloting the Airbus. I know I do this in a paraglider, but a jet.
Group of us from the village attacked the near derelict chapel, cutting the grass, cutting down the scrub, which was growing up. We must really find some thing, which can be done to the chapel before it falls down.
Cedar had training and bonding day at Alton Towers. This time it was a mixture of PSD, Services and developers. I car shared to Alton Towers on the Thursday, the afternoon was taken up is state of the company meetings, followed by drinks in Alton Towers park. Here we had the hire of a couple of rides fo an hour, including Oblivion.. No queuing. One guy did Oblivion 15 time, I about 8. After the rides, plenty of drink and dancing. Pictures available here.
Next day more talks and demonstrations of new products we can sell services for.
Back in Edinburgh for 3 days and 2 nights. The sun has at last decided to shine, and on Tuesday evening people were even dining out on the streets. In fact with the ban on smoking I think there were more people on the street then in the pubs.
Paid my usual visit to the Petit Paris where I indulged in a three course meal, but no wine. Free wine in my hotel room afterwards. Such a good customer at the hotel I get free drinks.
Tuesday I went to McKirdy’s Steakhouse on Morrison Street. Never been there before, was recommended in some magazine we get. Not cheap, but very good steaks. I had fillet steak with haggis and a whisky source. Ed ate a large fillet. Just managed to get our order in before two huge crowds of people.
Afterwards stopped off for a pint in a pub on the way back to the grassmarket area, in the area known as the pubic triangle because of the number of lap dancing clubs. Very good selection of beers, including some beers flavoured with fruit. Some very drunk mature Norwegian nurses from a conference attempted to pick both Ed and I up. Hastily retreated to Whistle Binkies to listen to a band.