17th  July 2006

This morning flew to Edinburgh from Luton, 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 shall take more notice of what people are taking out of the locker as they leave.Â

Ate in the hotel today, sitting at the bar.

18th July 2006

Another sunny day, but not very hot.Â

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.

19th July 2006

Woke to a very cool day.  Arthur’s seat totally covered in cloud, and the cool easterly wind blew all 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 of chips.

3rd July 2006

Up early and back to Edinburgh.  What a change, Edinburgh was freezing cold, cloudy and miserable.  By all accounts the South is still as warm as before.  Hotel had allocated me a room on the wrong side of the hotel, so unable to pick up the free broad band from the Mai Thai.

Ate at the Mai Thai, very nice green curry.

4th July 2006

Another cloudy day, with low cloud obscuring Arthur’s seat.  This evening ate at Zest, where I had a very entertaining evening.  The waiter became very animated about Portugal and football.  The restaurant is Indian run and the waiter was from the Goa, which has very strong Portuguese connections.  He also was a Roman Catholic.  I wonder if he has met Richy.

5th July 2006

There was a loud clap of thunder part way through the day.  The sun actually came out at one stage in the evening.  Watched France win against Portugal at the Mai Thai.  Very scrappy game as the French held on to their 1 – 0 lead, at one stage all the Portuguese were in the French side, including the goal keeper in a last ditch attempt to save the match.  The Portuguese constantly diving and arguing for fouls spoilt the game.  They should have been yellow carded.  Oh and had some very nice Dim Sum rolls, followed by a curry at the Mai Thai.

6th July 2006

The day has started off sunny, and remained fairly hot through the day.  Visited the Mai Thai, yet again, and had a red curry and Jasmine rice.  It was very good, washed down with a few Krony.  Spent a few moments talking to the owner.  For me the Mai Thai is an excellent venue, free internet access, a posh restaurant (if needed), a bar where you can drink, eat and surf, TV to watch the games, and relatively cheap beer, though I need to get them to serve some real ale.

7th July 2006

Today was the final day at the bank for a week.