Not been to Banbury for years, since the M40 was built. Decided to go there for some shopping. Amazing how they have built a shopping centre and disguised it in all the old buildings in the center. You could almost walk around it without seeing it.
Didn’t buy much, but did have a Chinese all you can eat buffet. Actually not too bad, and well priced.
Post box in Banbury. Old ask Rosemary what is specila about it.
After our lovely holiday in the Channel Islands with John and Carol Curd, it was back to work. First day was in the office, then a one-day trip to Scotland to the Bank. One day seemed to turn into 4 days. Had to change the EasyJet flight twice, and stay in two different hotels.
First night was at the Apex City. No free broadband access, so left them a remark on their comment form. That night ate with Yura Usvyat, who suggested a pub called the Jolly Judge, just off the Royal Mile for free Internet access.
Wednesday was staying down at the Hollyrood hotel near the parliament. I hoped that there would be free access there from the Thai Restaurant, but alas there was none. Ate at the Petit Paris, eating a nice fish dish of Ling. Since discovered it to be a type of deep-sea cod, which appears on an endangered list, and to be avoided. Afterwards met up with John Curd and Yura Usvyat who were meeting Malcolm Collett from a company call arum. https://www.arum.co.uk
John and Yura went off to eat, so I took off to see what was happening at Whistle Binkies. Turned out to be an excellent night. Four bands were playing. Caught the end of the first band, and left when the third had started. The second band though was excellent, very loud and metal. A Glasgow band called Graduation Day. See them at https://myspace.com/graduationday
Thursday, went to the Jolly Judge for a couple of pints and some internet access, then onto the mussel and steak, for some fish and chowder. https://www.musselandsteakbar.com
Friday back home, quite rough in Edinburgh, one tree on the way to the airport, by the zoo, had been blown over. Otherwise there were no problems getting back to Luton.
Still raining in the morning. Walked to work as usual, picking up my bacon and egg roll at Snax.
The evening started with a pint in Whistle Binkies, followed by a meal at Petit Paris. Had the Sea Bass with an olive topping.
Amusing chat with the couple next door. The guy got up before ordering to go to the loo. As he left he said to the girl guess what I am having. I said to here, he is having the rabbit. He could not believe the girl when she guessed rabbit. The give away sign were the fingers, in rabbit ear shape above his head as he left the table. He thought he had just brushed his hair.
Chat with spiky hair, she was wondering how long I would be there. We got into talking about Iran and Saudi.
Horrible wet day. Rained all day. In the evening, started off a quite evening. 30 minutes on the exercise machines burning off the waist line, followed by a swim and then the hotel restaurant.
Had some scallops on a risotto base, with a plate of brussel sprouts. During the meal, by down fall occur ed. Ed phoned. We met up in the Half Way House, on the setps between Waverly Station and Cockburn street. We actually met outside in the torrential rain. After a few pints there we moved on to Whistle Binkies for some music and beer.
Flew up to Edinburgh again The landing was twitchy caused by very blustery conditions on arrival. This time landed pretty much on time, not like the previous week. The weather started out nice, though windy, but by the end of the day it was drizzling.
Evening entertainment was down in the gym. First bought myself a pair of reebok trainers and shorts in a closing down sale. (Place was closing down 2 months ago).. Then to the hotel gym, where I used the tread mill and training bikes. Cooled off with a swim and sauna.
Ate in the hotel Raddisson Itchycoo bar.
Finally back in the hotel room, spoke to rosemary through the Internet connection.
Well you guessed it, I am back from Saudi. Pleasant trip, but very humid in Jeddah.
Week started badly, EasyJet were several hours late setting off. Found a nice quiet place in the airport to wait. No one else around, the Costa Coffee shop had a very underworked and pleasant girl serving there. She got quite a bit of businees from me!
The week, well ate mainly in the hotel, but had one visit to Petit Paris. Met Ed and Mary for a lunch time drink.
Tuesday I went out with Mary Devine and Ed Aldridge for a few beers and supper.
Started off in the Bow Bar on Victoria street where I drank their Malt of the Day.
Then onto The Mussel and Steak Bar, where we all had Mussels in various sauces.
Afterwards had a pint in the City Cafe on Blair Street, Bannermans on Cow gate and finally Bows on Blackfriars Street.
The area around there was full of noisy students. I think term had started and all the freshers where being taken on a tour of the area. They were getting discounts at the various bars. Definitely made me feel old.
Another week in Edinburgh. This time staying at the Raddison. No free Internet access, though trying to gather lots of points on my hotel card which should give me free access.
Ate at the hotel, rather late, just before 10.00pm. Had well presented food. The idea was you select 2-3 foods. I had Salmon which was served and grilled on a block of wood, some very thin slices of beef with salad and horseradish sauce and a plate of chips.
There seems to be a trend, which is quite good, to serve bread with some olive oil for dipping. The olive oil has some flavourings added. I have seen reduced Balsamic vinegar. Here they served the olive oil with some olive Tapenade. Adds quite a lot of flavour to the dipping oil.
Friday. cold sunny day, checked out of the hotel and wondered into work.
Went over to the Cafe Royal for lunch with Neil and Simon. Ed and Mary turned up later for lunch as well. Had some lovely pickled Herring, and a couple of pints of Dark Island.
Back to work to finish off, and then on home. Easyjet coming up trumps with with an on-time flight.
Today the weather was poor. Drizzle some of the days. Had to provide the bank with some estimates for the work I am doing. I believe they thought the work would take several weeks, but I will easily have it written and tested by the end of next week. By the end of the day I feel well on target.
Back to the hotel, hoped to log on to the free Internet access from the Thai Restaurant. Could see the router, but got no where beyond that. So over to the bar with laptop. Apparently they had unplugged the wireless LAN because they needed the link downstairs, and the wireless LAN does not reach through the concrete floor.
Had a couple of pints while surfing, and then a Thai meal. Went for non spicy hot vegetarian in the hope there would be no dire results. Writing this the next day I can say so far so good.
When requesting a hotel, I will look favorably on the Holyrood hotel, but only if I can get a room on the West side, preferably room numbers near the Thai Restaurant (209, 211, 213, 215, 217), and similar rooms on the third floor.