My New lens
Category Archives: United Kingdom
Aberdeen the oil city
A working week in Scotland. In Aberdeen, the first time I have ever been there. One different aspect of the Aberdeen airport was the number of helicopters landing and taking off. I assume they were off to the rigs.
Arriving in Aberdeen with my fleece and water proofs only to be faced with sun. Yes Aberdeen was sunny all week, though not yet warm. I was off to work at the Robert Gordon University, taxi into town with a chatty driver, who explained where the entertainment spots in the city were. He also explained the city was called the Silver City, the mica in the Granite reflecting the sun, making the place Silver in the sun, though reverting to the drab granite in the more usual cloudy wet weather.
Made it to work in a large building on Andrew Street. After work walked to Mint Apartments, about a mile away. The company I work for had booked me into a hotel that was 15 minutes away. Yes 15 minutes by taxi on a good day, 30 plus minutes during the day rush hour. Google Street view also showed the hotel was stuck in the middle of an industrial estate with nothing around. I cancelled this hotel and booked Mint Apartments, a serviced flat nearby. Nice place, recently upgraded to a good standard, the place is cleaned daily and they even changed the towels and made the bed every day. Free Internet connection, a must.
I ate in the local Italian restaurant under the apartments, friendly staff. Should maybe have eaten there another day, but places to explore. What else did I eat, Chinese down the road, large place in an office block. Reasonable. price
Wednesday and Thursday I ate at the Monsoona on Bridge Street, a Healthy Indian Cuisine Restaurant. What is one of those It turned out to be good.
Next day, a long day, lots of waiting around in Aberdeen airport for the late flight home, and eventually back home just before midnight. Drive back from Luton was fraught, no fuel, driving on empty. The road I was heading for was closed for night work. This is were I found the vagaries of Sat Nav. Took it ages to forget the route I had wanted to drive, despite the fact it did not originally want me to go that route. Once she had decided not to take me down the closed road, she was to take me down the M1, M25 and up the A41. Yes she, Hunni Desire was fixated on this route and would not forget it. Luckily I knew where I was going and ignore her imploring.!!!
Plymouth
I am in Plymouth, and have been in Plymouth for a couple of weeks now. Driving down at the start of the week, and driving back at the end. Not too bad a journey when there are no accidents. Took me 3 hours 30 minutes last time.
Tried a few different restaurants. The Eastern Eye I can recommend for Indian / Bangladeshi food. Large menu, and what I ate was very nice, a curry for connoisseurs.
Last night I went for a Thai, I was recommended The Thai Palace by the people I work for. Nice smiling waitress to melt my heart, and again an extensive menu. I went fish, and had some local scallops for starters followed by a Traditional Thai Fish Curry.
Otherwise have eaten large rib eye steaks in a steak house, at the Cafe Rouge.
Holy Mackerel
Thursday night decided it was an eating night. Thought I would have a Thai meal, so walked over to Thistle Street to try Dusit. Dusit is probably the best Thai Restaurant in Edinburgh. It is small and looked rather full with several people hanging around outside. So I gave it a miss, because across the road was a fish restaurant called Fishers in the City. This restaurant has a good reputation. Despite not booking, they were able to find me a spot at the bar to eat. Only just made it in time. It was nice to see many minor celebrities being turned away at the door.
The place serves Fish, but does have meat for those who don’t fancy fish. There are several fish types on sale as well as shell fish, cray fish and lobsters.
I started off with some some Scallops, and Mackerel for my main course. Both these were quite simple, but excellently prepared. The wine was a revelation, it was the house brand Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa. Most definitely not a French brand, because it smelt and tasted so florally and fruity. I don’t know the name of the wine, not that it matters because it is not on general sale in the UK.
I then headed back to the Royal Mile to take some photos. These are in the gallery. Then dumping the camera, I headed to Whistle Binkies for some Rock and Roll. Here I heard the first set of a Scottish band called Three Card Trick. (Myspace) They were very good. Now I have a recording of them as my ring tone.
I want to announce my Edinburgh Gallery.
Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog
The Edinburgh Crags
Wednesday night in Edinburgh, the rain stopped and the sun came out to play. Even managed to capture a picture of the sun on the Crags through my hotel bedroom window. So with the dry weather, and the festival, it was time to go out and play. First, a quick stop to fuel up with some food, from a kebab shop on the bridges. Must admit the humus tasted of nothing, not even adding politically incorrect salt helped.
The Pleasance Courtyard
Ah well, off the the Pleasance Courtyard where I managed to get a ticket for Greg Davies. He was funny, telling the story of his life and the influences of other people on his life. As is usual he picked on a few people from the front row to help him. Despite foolishly sitting in the front row, I was bypassed. Not so the blonde, busty lady sitting near by. She had to help him with his story, which she amply did.
I managed to squeeze one more set in afterwards where I saw the AAA Stand-Up late. This was three stand up comics Erich McElroy, Ryan McDonnell and Steve Allen. Not quite so good, and the American Erich McElroy was not at all funny.
I want to announce my Edinburgh Gallery.
Edinburgh Gallery
Announcing my Edinburgh Gallery.
I am back in town
Yes I am back in Edinburgh for a short stay, and the weather has welcomed me with a vengeance. It has rained pretty well all day. The festival is in full swing, but tonight I have taken it easy, eaten at a dry restaurant. That makes me feel very good. Won’t last though, I am sure I will partake on Tuesday.
The meal I had was at the Kurdish restaurant, Hanams. Ate a starter of Baba Ghanoush, and Chicken Biryani for the main. Both very good.
I want to announce my Edinburgh Gallery.
Hev Yew Gotta Loight Boy?
This weekend we spent a lovely weekend in Norfolk at my Father’s and Ann’s home in Norwich. On arrival we were whisked off for lunch at the Ship Inn at South Walsham where there seemed to be a groom’s pre-wedding drinks party. We ate outside in the sun, waiting for the forecast rain which never arrived.
Next onto Ranworth Broad where we had a pre-booked trip on the private broad in an electric boat. Being somewhat early, we had time to visit the church of St Helen. This contains the greatest rood screen in East Anglia. It stretches right across the church, aisles and nave. The tower was also open, so Stephen (that is the author) climbed the very narrow spiral stair case to the top and snapped some images from the tower.
Then on to Ranworth Broad in the electric boat to view birds. I took some pictures, not the greatest, will have to purchase one of those mega paparazzi lenses or get nearer to the birds. Anyway saw some Terns, Grebes, Cormorants, Herons, a flash of a Kingfisher, ducks and gulls.
ON FORM The moment for stone
Hot sunny day on Saturday July 10th, we ventured forth to a sculpture exhibition nearby in Asthall Manor, Asthall, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX14 4HW. The exhibition was by various artists and can be seen on the site onformsculpture.co.uk. Not only was some of the sculpture impressive, so was the house. Setting the sculpture in a garden setting was a fantastic idea.
Food was not a success for the day, we had intended having lunch out. We spent too long in the gardens, only to find any decent eating places closed. Eventually had a cream tea in Woodstock.
The sculptures may be viewed here.
Jen’s 60th birthday
Jen, an old school friend of Rosemary, was having a surprise birthday party. The party was on Sunday, and was taking place in Jen & husband Bev’s pub, The Cat Head Inn, Chiselborough, Somerset. Jen and Bev have been landlords for the last few weeks, and seem admirably suited to the task in hand.
Rosemary and I drove down and stayed with Sue (another school friend) and Ken on the Saturday night. Judy (from Manchester), the fourth member of the quartet of friends, joined us. Feasted in the pub across the road. One could hardly be any nearer.
Sunday was a late start, some walks around the estate, and then a drive over to The Cat Head Inn to surprise Jen. Success!
