Arrived up in Edinburgh, lovely dry and sunny, but pretty cold outside. I am sitting in the Mai Thai expecting my Tom Yum soup and main course of duck. Yes it is the duck yet again. I am getting rather repetitive.
Already someone from work has suggested I be in the office when the changes go into production. So looks like I will be here again, at least for a short while.
Tuesday I had a nice meal at Barjola, Spanish Tapas bar. As usual the grilled sardines were delicious.
Wednesday, I decided to try a ‘popular place’, so chose The Filling Station. An American diner like place, decked out in 30s and 40s British motoring memorabilia. Serves burgers, Tex Mex and steaks. Chose a steak which I ordered rare, but alas it came in as medium to well done. Charming Brazilian waitress though, who made all the right noises when I complained. Shall not be eating there again.
The street next to the hotel was blocked off tonight. They were making a scene from a new Rebus episode to be show on TV. The scene was outside Bannermans. A music pub on the same street as Whistle Binkies. A man walks up the street from Cow Gate, and argues with another man who appears out of Bannermans. The first man shoots the second, and then rushes up the street.
All this was taken under large sprinklers simulating a wet Edinburgh night. There must have been 40 people on the shoot, lots controlling the traffic in cowgate, every time they did a shoot, the traffic was stopped. I was able to watch from 10 metres away, and able to see the scene in the monitor.
I am counting the days, only two more weeks of travel to Edinburgh. I must make the most of the time I am here.
Travel from Luton was again a pain, the place was full of people going away. Still half term in some county or other. The weather was damp and miserable in Edinburgh.
Visited the Mussel and Steak for one of the gorgeous pieces of red meat, cooked just correctly. I did start off with some hot smoked salmon (cold) with oat cakes. The salmon was delicious.
Met an Australian IT consultant there, think he had emigrated to the UK because of the jobs in the Health Sector. He had been recommended the restaurant and was very happy with it. Somehow we got to talking about flying, and it turns out his grandmother took up gliding at the age of 80. Fantastic.
I asked who I think was the owner of the Mussel and Steak, how long they had been open. I thought it must be about two years, and in fact it is two years in May.
Another day of work, the weather is excellent in Edinburgh. Ths sun is bright, and I have to close the blinds to keep it out. Tad chilly in the evening as I walk around.
Valentines day, so did not feel inclined sitting in a restaurant on my own. So though of the Mai Thai. Damn, full of couples eating romantic meals together. At least the bar had a few people watching Rangers being beaten by Tel Aviv. Had an excellent meal as usual, left it to the owner to decide for me. So ate a Beef Rendang with coconut rice.
Their usual excellent service.
Still travelling to Edinburgh, but for a Life Assurance and Pension company. Almost left on time from Luton, but I suppose because of the school half time, the departure was manic. Meant that some one never quite made it to the aircraft and their luggage was off loaded.
Went for a curry at a restaurant on Drummond Street, the same street where B’est was. The curry house is next door to a sex shop and is called (arrgh - can’t remember). Had a pretty reasonable curry.
On Tuesday night arranged to meet Mary for a quick drink in the Cafe Royal, she seems to be busy the rest of the week. Afterwards back to the hotel where I had supper, scallops and sausage. OK strange combination, but they were on different plates. My current favourite Edinburgh waitress was working, I believe she is going to get the Edinburgh Raddison best staff member of the year award. I asked where the manager had disappeared to. I have not seen him since Christmas. Appears he is running/working at a bar on Hanover street.
The MP3 player is a great boom, been listening all through my Primus albums. And for the benefit of Selina, they covered a Pink Floyd track called ‘Have a Cigar’. So her two most favourite bands in the same track.
Still sitting here waiting for the 13.25 to Edinburgh to leave. Every half hour it gets delayed by more than another half hour. So will it ever fly? Presently it is showing as leaving at 15:40. Yesterday it didn’t leave till almost 17:00. Will I get home in time for Ladymead Joinery’s Christmas party at The Plough and Anchor? Looks like a tight schedule.
At least I am not flying to Heathrow, if I was I expect I would be spending Christmas in Edinburgh. The British airports are too busy, so a little fog soon causes delays and cancellations. Time to double the number of runways and build a little redundancy into the transport system. B****r all those Nimbies who bought their houses near to airports, knowing full well that planes make a small amount of noise. (Which is getting lesser every few years, with better engine design.)
The food at Edinburgh airport is quite nice. There is this French run place that serves excellent tarts. They are so good looking and yummy tasty in the mouth.
Must go and buy a magazine, as the power on this battery is getting low.
After our lovely holiday in Guernsey it was back to work in Edinburgh for a couple of days. I decided to fly up on Sunday evening, and ate in the hotel bar. Some fish and a goats cheese salad.
This evening was a little bit more adventurous and went out and ate in a Tappas bar called Barioja (Bar!oja). I had four dishes, bread and olive oil, Sardines (Sardinas), mixed Spanish meats (Embutidos) and a mixed vegetables, tomato, courgettes etc cooked in olive oil (Escalivada). All tasted very good, and was washed down with a large glass of Tinto.
Lunchtime at the Café Royal, leaving presentation back in the office to Ed Aldridge. Evening quick meal in the Olive Branch, where I ate Sea Bass. The meal was very nice, then it was back to the hotel for an evening in.
Tonight I went out with Yura Usvyat, Ed Aldridge, Mary Devine and Jo Kelly. Yura was leaving the bank, and this was his fare well drink and meal.
Evening started in the sun, outside Tiles with many other people. We then went to the Petit Folie, a French Restaurant at 61 Frederick Street. Busy, but were able to accommodate us. We all ate well. French, very much like the Petit Paris, staff the restaurant. All the food comes from a very small kitchen. These French Restaurants who seeming can produce 100’s of meals in an evening from minute kitchens with two chefs, impress me.
The evening was young, so off to a bar, The Jam House, with life music. Think a good band had been playing, but had just finished. The next was a covers band, we had a good laugh at the people who were attempting to dance. Never seen any thing so funny. Then onto a gay bar. By this time, the weather had deteriorated, and I was getting drenched in the rain.
Spent some of the day deciding whether to try and get back home, or book a hotel for the weekend. Tried to book a hotel, but they were all over 100 pounds, and out of the centre. My flight back to Luton was cancelled, as seemingly all London Edinburgh flights were. No problem getting a flight back to Birmingham. Actually travel was easy, the flight was a third full, left on time, the departure hall of the airport was empty, the security checks were quick. This is how flying should be. From Birmingham I took a train to Banbury, with the intention of catching a connecting service to Bicester. Alas the Virgin train to Banbury was running late, so missed the connection. Rosemary drove out to pick me up.
5th August 2006
Back at home, our field had been mown, and turned into hay. Today it was baled and carted away.
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Flew up to Scotland from Luton. The airport was in absolute chaos at the security. At least 30 minute queue. No idea what would happened if there were some form of high security alert.
Stayed at the Apex City this week. It has been a long time since staying there. Ate at the Petit Paris.
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Tonight I ate at the Mussel and Steak, quite a good meal of Monk Fish. I just love watching the TV screens, which show the chefs working in the kitchens live. Must admit I never see my food being cooked
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Tonight it was the Petit Paris again, where I had a beautiful steak.
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Didn’t feel like going out, so stayed in at the hotel, rather a mistake, the meal was a bit lack lustre.
I have finished another whole week in Edinburgh. This time travel was a little easier than the previous week. Travel was almost on time. Return flight was a little late, so was unable to make the party at New Horizons the new gym which has been opened at Haddeneham by Nigel Stone. Nigel worked at Walker and Cedar for many years, and now has his own business.
24th July 2006
Flight to Edinburgh left and arrived on time. Good days work at the bank, followed by a Meal at the Petit Paris. Went for the full works, a Terrine to start with, followed by Toulouse Sausage, and finally a Creme Brulle.
25th July 2006
Ate at the Radisson hotel today. Normal fare at the Ichy Coo bar.
26th July 2006
Edinburgh is still managing some good weather, the place is full of people, there will be even more when the festival starts. Went vegetaria! n today, and ate at Black Bo’s
27th July 2006
Another uneventful day, and an evening in at the hotel. The nice Scottish bar maid was on duty today, so had someone to chat to for a while.
28th July 2006
Back home on the Easy jet plane.
It was again a very cool misty start to the day. Where is all the heat from down South. Dinner in the hotel, and at last the draught beers (well larger) was on tap.
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It was a little warmer today, but cloudy. Had lunch at Tiles with my work colleagues, a rather large chilli burger. I left work at 4.00 to catch the 6.05 Easyjet to Luton. We eventually left Edinburgh airport after 9.00. There was a three-hour delay in the flight. There had been some technical problem with an aircraft, needing a replacement plane and replacement crew. Much warmer in Luton then Edinburgh, and there was thunder and a small storm during the night.
This morning flew to Edinburgh from Luton for a five day stay, allows me an extra hour in bed. Luton was in absolute chaos; the checking hall was totally full. Start of the holiday season I thought, but apparently Easyjet had a problem with their booking system. They delayed all their flights by over an hour to ensure passengers were able to make it to through to departures. Even so someone did not make it.
Flying up I was able to see the coast line from North of the Wash, round Norfolk, Suffolk, and down the Essex coastline. This was while flying over Northampton. On arrival at Edinburgh, found my laptop was not in the overhead lockers, so I rushed out of the plane, barging past everyone, and managed to find the culprit who had taken my laptop. He had accidentally picked the wrong case, though the ones left in the locker seemed very different to mine, and he had still not noticed when he put papers into to bag. In future I sh! all take more notice of what people are taking out of the locker as they leave.
Ate in the hotel today, sitting at the bar.
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Another sunny day, but not very hot.
Had supper at Time-4-Thai. I have eaten there before for lunch with the other bank people. The waiters and waitresses are very attentive. Had a mixed platter of starters followed by a green curry.
Had a call from Mary and Ed, met up with them at the Bank Hotel. They were sitting outside drinking wine, with 3 others from the bank. Couple of them were staying in the Raddison hotel. Have not bumped into them.
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Woke to a very cool day. Arthur’s seat totally covered in cloud, and the cool easterly wind blew al day. The sun broke through later in the day, but it remained cool all day.
Project lunch was with my colleagues at Zest, Indian restaurant next to the office.
Stayed in today at the hotel, eating a small supper of very rare Tuna, and a! plate o f chips
Early morning drive up to Gateshead for a training course.
Made it in reasonable time. I stayed in the Tulip hotel; Internet Access was working this time.
Tuesday was a continuation of the Monday.
Wednesday was getting up to speed on the work I will have to do in Saudi in a month’s time. I will continue with the install work back in the Aylesbury office. Then the long drive back home.