Category Archives: United Kingdom

Carluccio

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Rosemary and I had a special meal out at Carluccios’s in Bicester Village.  This is a chain of restaurants with the name of celebrity chef Antonio.

The meal was a themed Italian meal with selected wines.  We started off with a glass of Prosecco and some excellent Canapes.  The deep fried spinage was excellent.

The menu was.

Gamberi e Bianco
A Salad of prawns on marinated fennel

Accompanied by
La Segreta Bianco
Fresh and rich with a long slow finish.  Made from a blend of Grecanico, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon and Fiano grapes.  Tropical fruit flavours, with a lingering dry finish.

Risotto al Vino Rosso
Creamy red wine risotto

Filetto di Bue alla Griglia
Fillet steak served with sauteed mushrooms and garlic and roasted Rosemary potatoes

Accompanied by
Capello di Prete
A rich red balanced red with mellow flavours of cocoa and cherries.  Made from 100% Negroamaro grapes.

Crema di Noce con Cioccolata
A delicious hazelnut panna cotta served with a chocolate sauce

Accompanied by
Aleatico di Puglia
An incredible red dessert wine, produced from Aglianico grapes.  Medium sweet with spice and cherry flavours.

After the meal had an espresso and some grappa.  Meal was good, especially liked the marinaded fennel.  Marinaded in lemon juice and zest.  Steak ordered rare and was served rare, excellent.

Planning Meeting

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Up early in the morning into work.  Had to wait quite a while to get into the office, seems quite a few busses, trains, and the bridge were not running.

Evening went out with a group of friends for rather too many drinks in the local pubs around Grassmarket.  Then down to Broughton Road and the Phoenix.  Afterwards back to the hotel for a nightcap and bed.

Edinburgh in the wind

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Tuesday flew up to Edinburgh for a planning meeting on Wednesday.  A very strong wind was forecast for Scotland, in fact during the night there were gusts of 124mph.  The flight was rather rough as we came into land, with some of the passengers puking up.  Need les to say I was unaffected by the turbulence.

Had to take a taxi into the city, no busses at the bus stop and a long queue of people.  Taxi driver said we would have to take detour with the main road being closed because of storm damage.  In the event this had been cleared up by the time we got to the location.

Arrived at the Apex, and had  a glass of wine and a Sandwich for supper, then onto Whistle Binkies  for some rock music.

Visit to Edinburgh

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Short two-day trip to Edinburgh to do some training.  Caught the early flight up to Edinburgh from Luton,  good trip with Easyjet, arrived on time.

Had lunch with Ed Aldridge at the Star Bar, a massive plate of chilli and nachos.  In the evening a few pints of Stella at the Burke and Hare, before wending my way back to the Apex in Grassmarket.  Notice they now have wireless lan and DVD players in all their rooms.

Next day gave my training course, seemed to go OK.  Took less time then I anticipated.   Back on a late Easyjet flight, which again arrived on time.

Edinburgh RBS party

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Flew to Edinburgh Friday afternoon for a Christmas meal with RBS.  On arrival booked into my flea pit hotel, and then having a few minutes to spare, popped into Whistle Binkies for a quick pint.  The intention was to check out what bands were playing for later in the evening.

Then it was on to the Opal Lounge where I met the RBS and other Cedar employees who contributed to the project.   There was a good meal where I ate Sushi, followed by Monk Fish on a bed of rice with a lime sauce.  I can’t remember what I had for the third course.  Next we seemed to consume more alcohol, and I do remember dancing with Mary at some stage.  The group who attended were Andy, Campbell, Douglas, Kevin, Mary, Neil, Simon, Ed, Danielle and Brian.  From the whole group, Ed , Mary and I were the last to leave.

Next day treated my self to a greasy breakfast, then went around the Royal and Scottish museum.  Saw the model coffins mentioned in the Rebus books.  Then it was on to the Scottish parliament, where I visited the debating chamber.  It is quite a building, not sure how well the outside will wear because of all the bits of wood decoration attached.

Later I had a meal at the Petit Paris.  As I walked by the waiter came out and welcomed me in, asking if I was back for more work, I had their plat de jour of Boeuf Bourguignon.  Then it was on for the late flight back.

Margaret and David for lunch

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On Sunday we visited Margaret and David for lunch, and the annual Christmas present exchange.  It was a very nice lunch of roast wild duck and oodles of cheese.

Managed to trap Oliver the cat, and was able to tickle him under the chin.  After he escaped, he remained very aloof and never entered the house again.

Jimi Hendrix

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With Rosemary away for the week visiting an old school friend in Devon, I decided to have a day off and visit London.  I chose the worst possible day.  The day before and the day after were beautiful sunny days.  The Thursday was the wettest and most miserable day of the month.

I caught the train down into London, to visit the Jimi Hendrix exhibition at the Marquee Club in Leicester Square.  The collection is estimated to be worth around $15 million and features thousands of unseen photos, promotional materials, recordings, videos, clothing, guitars and more.   Much of the exhibition was up for sale by auction.

Afterwards I visited China town for a meal, and had duck with a gloop sauce.  It was disgusting.  Must read the menu more carefully next time.

Fred Giacoma

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Travelled down to London to meet up with Fred Giacoma and family, and Christine Buckley.  Met them at the Tower of London, had a tour around the tower, saw the Crown Jewels, and the armoury. Afterwards had a drink and some food in the nearby Weatherstones. Rather embarrassing being guided around an iconic London tourist site by an American.