Category Archives: United Kingdom

A week at the Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh

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Monday

Today I used the local taxi firm to ferry me to Luton.  My car needs MOT and probably some work to cure all the clunking sounds from underneath.  Anyway staying away for 12 days, the taxi is a lot cheaper then parking at Luton.  Arrived at Luton in plenty of time,  I had a ticket number of 62, first time I have been less than 100.

Arrived at Edinburgh well on time, but was delayed at the cash machine.  Needed some cash to get into Edinburgh.

Weather was fairly nice, was able to sit outside on the pavement chairs and tables for my happy hour supper at Petit Paris.  Went the whole hog, and had three courses.  Some lovely asparagus tips and smoked Scottish Salmon to start with.  Followed on by Chicken in a Madera sauce with vegetables, Finally their excellent crème brulle.  Then the embarrassment, I had gone out with no means of paying.  No problem popped back to the hotel for my cards.  Now I had been thinking of going to a new restaurant called Blonde that would have been a severe embarrassment, and a long walk.

Afterwards stayed in my room and watched England qualify through to the quarter finals.

Tuesday

Sunny all day, and then clouded over for the evening.  Met up with Yura, and walked to Blonde where we ate.  Nice meal, of raw Salmon to start, then I had Venison cooked in a red wine and chocolate sauce.  Finally had a a marmalade flavoured source with my sweet.

Stopped at a pub on the way back just outside of St Leonards Street police station for a pint and to watch the football matches.  Back to the hotel, and then out again to Whistle Binkies to see an excellent rock band play.  The played excellent loud and  heavy rock.    Their drummer was incredible.  Unfortunately I have no idea of their name.

Wednesday

Started off a miserable day.  Windy and heavy drizzle.  It then rained all day, except for a small gap in the evening, which tempted me out without my jacket.  Big mistake started to rain again, and was still raining at 1.30 am as I went to bed.

Stayed late at the bank, and had a bit of pizza, then met up with Yura for a meal at the Songkran on Stafford Street.  This is a Thai restaurant run by a couple of Thai sisters.  I must admit I was not very hungry and just had a Thai Green curry and some beers.  On leaving the phone free zone of the restaurant I picked up my messages which resulted in me jogging through the appalling rain to meet up with Ed and Mary in the Villager on George the IV bridge, where we stayed until closing time at 1.00am.  Mary had travelled to Edinburgh to participate in her Yoga class.  Hopefully we will see her back at the bank on Friday and Saturday.

Thursday

Still raining.  It must now have been raining virtually solidly for over 24 hours.  Its so dull and miserable.  After work I went to watch the England/Portugal match at Sportsters a nightclub on Market Street with a few Bank people.  Good venue, masses of TV screens including one huge cinema sized screen.   Quite an enjoyable evening despite the result.

Oh and it has stopped raining.

You may wonder why there is no mention of food today.  Could be because today was a liquid only diet.

Friday

Today is a lovely sunny clear day.  Quite warm walking into work, bought a Danish and a coffee on the way to work.

After work walker up the road with Mary for a drink at the fish tank.  Left her to catch her train back home, I walked back to the Bank for a drink in Clarks Bar with Andy Laing, Simon Stone, Neil Saunders and Willis Scott.  Afterwards on to Indigo Yard with Neil and Simon.   Trendy bar.  It was a lovely evening, so we were able to sit outside.

Left there at around 10.30, picked up some fish and chips on the high street, and then to Whistle Binkies to listen to a couple of bands until 1.30 in the morning.  The first band, who were already playing, were called The Rodents, original guitar rock and covers. They were quite good, though unappreciated by most.  The second band I saw were called Big Hand, a Latino funk band.  They appeared to be liked by the punters,  I stayed for the first half and then decided I should be in bed, implementation weekend was starting.  The road back to the hotel, Cow Gate was mobbed with people waiting to get into the night clubs. 

Edinburgh working at RBS for the week

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Monday

Caught the Easyjet flight from Luton in the warm sunny south, left on time, arrived on time, really good journey.

Weather not so good in Edinburgh, windy and cold.  I cannot believe it, but the weather forecast on Tuesday said how good the weather had been, with 28 degrees in Aberdeen and now it was coming to an end.  They must live in a different universe.  A guy in my office rides a motorbike, he went home a different way to his usual route, to keep off the main road because of the strong wind.  He then was stopped by a fallen tree, and had to back track, then dropped the bike in a guest of wind as he was edging on to the main road.  Luckily not too much damage.

Met up with Yura and visited Izzi for some Sushi and some Chinese.  He was going back on Tuesday because all the people from Standard Life he had arranged to work with were off sick.

At last I have a userid for the Banks network, which has taken 9 months to get.

Tuesday

Today is a bright windy cold front type of day, which warmed up nicely as the day progressed.  The evening was a T-shirt evening.  Had to walk back to the hotel at lunchtime to pick up my keys so I could get my portable out of the desk.  Met the waiter at Petit Paris who greeted me as a long lost friend.  I said I would be in to night.  Despite walking to the hotel at 1.00pm, I still failed to hear the cannon fire from the castle.

After work took a walk along Salisbury crags. It was a beautiful view of the city today with excellent visibility.  On the way to the crags stopped off at a fish and chip shop and bought a deep-fried battered Mars bar.  It was excellent. After walking south down the crags, I then headed west into the city and then up St Leonard’s Road.  This time I did actually see the police station in which Rebus works.  It is a fairly modern looking brick building, with glass office like doors to the reception area.  There was a restaurant opposite called Blondes, which is mentioned in the one of the Rebus books and has been recommended to me.  I must pay it a visit one day.  Seems to have several fish dishes on the menu.

It was then back to Petit Paris for a quick supper just before 10.00, where I had a Monk Fish Stew followed by a crepe.  Met up with Ed for a drink in the Bow Bar.

Wednesday

Another nice day in Edinburgh, not overly hot, just nice.   There was nothing to report about the day.

In the evening went for the special at Petit Paris.  Oh no, they almost could not seat me, but in the end found a table for me downstairs.  Had the filo wrapped deep fried goats cheese, followed by pork on a bed of mashed pastry.  All this washed down with a demi-litre of wine.  During the meal had a phone conversation with Steve Allen who was attending the Walker reunited get together.

Then it was on to the Western bar, which is quite close to the hotel, for a bit of entertainment.  Afterwards it was time for Whistle Binkies where I saw Blackjack Blues Band play.  Quite good.

During the evening it drizzled a little, not enough though to stop me walking around in a tee shirt.  Must be the Newcastle part of the Cedar Company rubbing off on to me.

Thursday

Into work today, was a dress down day, but the dress had to be red and white to celebrate the Swiss/English football match.  Not many from the bank were participating in this.

Back to Petit Paris for the early evening meal, missing the football.  Tonight I had the terrine of pigeon breast followed by a steak.  Not much else happened, stayed in tonight watching TV and Big Brother.

Friday

Checked out of the Apex International, despite not staying there for several weeks, the receptionist greeted me by name.   How nice.

There was a slight drizzle on the walk to work.  I left work early to get the 4.30 flight back to Luton, the rain was pouring down at this stage.

Gonville and Caius May Week Party

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This Saturday was the Gonville & Cauis College May Week Party for Benefactors.  We set off at around 9.45, arriving at Harvey Court at 11.00 where we could not park, so back to the Park and Ride. Selina and Graham went off to peruse the shops, and we walked to the college.  On the way stopped off at a craft fare to purchase a gift for Barbara and Tony’s new baby Thomas.

At the party met up with Chris Finden-Browne and his wife.  We had met Chris and their son Fergus at the previous party.  There was a mass of excellent food on offer.

After he lunch and the speech from the master, we went on to see a presentation on The Box of Delights. This was a box of papers and pictures from David Bach being presented to the college by Dr. Philip Marriott.  David Bach was the second of five children and graduated from the University of Vienna with Doctorates in Philosophy and Philology.   He devoted himself to Journalism and moved to England after the First World War.  David had a great love of music. Philip had inherited these papers.

During the presentation we heard a number of recitals from Joseph Mills, with Francesca Massey and James Davies on piano.

Next was a presentation from the Bursar, he went into the cost of running the college, their plans for the new building on West Road, the cost of the library and the money he needed.

After this we had a tea in the masters garden, and then back on home. 

The weather could have been better.  There were lots of showers during the meal and the tea.  We were able to step into the Masters Lodge.

Edinburgh

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Tuesday

Flew from Luton in the bright warm sunshine, only to land at Edinburgh on a cold cloudy day.  Visibility was so poor, we didn’t see the ground until we were down to 100 meters.  The weather never cleared up, with low cloud all day, obscuring views of Carlton hill and Edinburgh castle.

Stayed at the Thistle on Leith Walk tonight.  Apparently most of the hotels in Edinburgh were full.  Managed to get a booking into the Apex City for the following nights.

Met up with Yura Usvyat for a meal at Thai Me Up.  Had an Excellent Red Curry, which was pretty hot.

Wednesday

The sun shone today, but there were showers as well.  While Yura and I were eating in the Indian restaurant Zest, the heavens opened and there was torrential rain.  Luckily (no one had jackets because it was a nice warm evening), by the time we had finished the weather was nice again. 

Managed to move into the Apex City on Grass market.  A far better location than where the Thistle resides.

Thursday

Today started as a lovely clear sunny morning.  Weather forecast though predicts the same heavy showers as Wednesday.

Worked fairly late tonight making some modifications to the code for installation after the product goes live.  Met up with Yura for a meal at the Mussel Inn.  Good old-fashioned thunderstorm just as we were going out at 20.00.  Borrowed an umbrella from the hotel lost property.  At the Mussel inn (very crowded, had to wait for a table), I had grilled herring fillets with crumbled feta cheese as a starter, followed by grilled bream on a bed of crushed potato.

Friday

Slight drizzle as I headed to work, but cleared up during the day.

Spent the morning testing my code changes, and then out to lunch with the bank team for a pre going live celebration drink and meal.

Back to work, and then home on the 18.05 Easyjet flight.  It almost left on time, we were all on the plane, and no problems with air traffic control, but we had no fuel.  Eventually left 20 minutes late.

Edinburgh

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This was supposed to be my last visit to the bank for a couple of weeks.  Arrived at the bank pretty much on time, despite the plane being delayed by air traffic for a couple of hours. 

In the evening a meal at Petit Paris, soup followed rabbit washed down with a demi-litre of vin rouge.  Thought it was a bit early to go to bed, so a quick visit to Whistle Binkies to hear a few bands.  First band was a seven piece group called JFK, with flutes, sax and guitars.  Different.  I am told they will be playing again.  Next another band, quite good and heavy, never found out what they were called.

On Wednesday, just as I was about to leave, I heard I was to be back next week on Tuesday.  Oh well.

Edinburgh

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Monday

This is the last full week at the bank for several weeks now.  Left home on a lovely sunny morning with mist in the fields.  Queuing up waiting to board, in our little Easyjet boarding groups of 30,  I pomdered how the 30 tickets per boarding group actually translates into 37 plus people.  Plane a little late arriving in a cool cloudy Edinburgh.  I do hope it gets brighter this week, as I want to go out and take a few photos.

For supper Ed Aldridge, Joe Zamir and I met up at Zest for a curry and a few glasses of Stella.  The place was quite busy for a Monday.  Back at the hotel I had to open all the windows because the room was stifling hot with the heating on.

Tuesday

Down to breakfast dead on 7.00, no need to queue today.  No Americans.  Started off a cool cloudy day which improved through out.  The evening was a lovely almost cloudless day, quite clear with a strong cool wind blowing from the East.  Ed Aldridge drove off to the coast to surf.  I decided to walk up Arthur’s seat and take some photos.

Near the top I was accosted by a middle aged man asking me if I could call his son, as his mobile had run out of juice.  He had been up there all night and all day having slipped on the grass.  We did not get through to his son.  I left him, finished my walk to the top, took some excellent photos and then walked down.  On the way down I met the man again.  It turned out he had just become homeless, walked up to Arthur’s seat at 11.30 the previous evening for a place to sleep.  Apparently many homeless sleep in the park, going to the top in the cold wind does not seem sensible though. He could not get down again as he had dizzy spells and loses his balance, and was partially sighted.  I had wondered why I knew more about the layout of the park then him, who lived in the area.  The white stick was the clue in the end.  I helped him down the easier track, supporting him over the rough areas where he tending to slip and fall, down to the main road.  Here he was quite happy to be left.

Walked back into town to try a Moroccan restaurant, Fez on Nicholson Street, which I had tried to find a couple of weeks ago. Yes it had a small discrete entrance to a basement. Starters were prawns wrapped in filo pastry.  Main course was couscous and lamb.  The food was very filling, but all pretty tasteless really. Won’t be going there again.

 Wednesday

Breakfast at the hotel had a small queue at 7.00, but loads of people already eating.  They were not Americans, but Australians this time.  You could tell, a different set of clothing, it looked like many had only just arrived from the outback.

It was another sunny day here in paradise.  I stayed late at work looking into bands for the wedding.  It was a quick lunch out at the Cumberland at midday.

After work up onto Salisbury crags to take a few photographs.  A quick walk around town and then a short stay at Whistle Binkies.  Acoustic guitar is not my sort of music.

Thursday

Thought I would beat the crowds down to breakfast.  Arrived before 7.00, of course this time there was nobody there at all, and I could not get in.  Did find a notice on the wall from the tour company.  I see Friday is going to be the problem day for breakfast.

Jemma from the bank was leaving today, moving to Norfolk, so we all descended on the Café Royal for a short drink, which lasted until past midnight.  No supper tonight and McDonalds was closed, so was hungry to bed.

Friday

As predicted, turmoil at breakfast.  There were massive long queues with two tour companies demanding breakfast at 7.00.  I went back to my room to read a book, then down for a large breakfast.

Back home at a very reasonable time of 7.00, to find it empty.  Rosemary had already gone to the pub on her own.

Edinburgh

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Monday

After a hard weekend working in the garden I was really refreshed for the Monday slog to Edinburgh.  Bounced out of bed at 05.45, washed dressed and drove to Luton.  Remarkably clear roads on the way, and arrived at 06:45.  Parked in the same place as last week, next to a car with no wheels.  I feel there should always be a spare space there.  Then the inevitable wait for the car park bus.  When NCP charge a  rip off £10 a day  for parking, I  expect a frequent bus service.  On to the plane ready for take off, but oh no, two Scottish air traffic controllers had not turned up for work, so twenty minute delay for take off. 

No clouds leaving Luton.  I spotted Leighton Buzzard and then the M1 and the Amazon buildings from the air.  They miss a trick there; they should paint their web address on the roof.  From then on it was cloudy, landed in Edinburgh were there was a cold wind blowing, quite a change from down south.  Arrived at the office pretty well on time at 10.10.  Never quite sure why the door to door time going north is always shorter than the time going south.  Most of the day looking at a performance issue, and then out for the evening. 

Yura Usvyat was in town, working at Standard Life. He too is here for the week with an exemption from the PSD all hands day. We met up at 19.30 for a meal at the Japanese place called Izzi.  I stayed away from the Sashimi, which I believe used to have adverse effects on the stomach.  Instead I had some sushi (avocado) and then some steak.  It was pretty good really; A change from the Petit Paris.  Afterwards we met up with Ed in the Bow bar for a few pints of beer.

Tuesday

It was another fine day in Edinburgh.  I spent the day with the networks people trying to hunt down the problem with the CICS CTG slow connection times.  After work had a quick drink in Whistle Binkies, was accosted by a Scots man who talked at me for 15 minutes.  I did not understand a word he said.  Met up with Yura Usvyat and had a meal in the Mussel Inn.  Yes I had mussels in a blue cheese sauce.  That was it, back to the prison cell and to bed.

Wednesday

Another day, more analysis of implementation problems as the Operational Acceptance Tests were being done.  After work met up with Yura for a curry at the Veranda near to Haymarket rail station.  I arrived first and sat in the restaurant for 5 minutes, call from Yura he was on his way.  After another 5 minutes I looked at the menu and was rather confused.  This was meant to be an Indian restaurant, why was it selling Thai.  I asked the waiter the name of the restaurant; oops I was in the wrong one, left and went next door to the correct place.  Sat down.  A few minutes later Yura arrived.  He also had been to the Thai restaurant, couldn’t see me, asked the waiters where I was and was told I had been there, realised it was the wrong place and gone next door.

After a reasonable meal of Indian Mezis, (I know that the wrong name), went back to the cell.

Thursday

Tourists!! Why oh why do the all arrive at breakfast at the same time.  The restaurant was not big enough to seat them all, there was a huge queue of doddery old Americans who could not operate the milk dispensing machines, complaining about the cold, asking the hotel to put the heating on, while the rest of us were hot and had the windows wide open.

Otherwise the day started bright and cheerful with me singing as I walked into work.  The rest of the working day was mundane.  On the way out and walking up the hill with Mary, and talking to Yura on the phone, I was almost squashed at the traffic lights.  Luckily Mary thought I was worth saving and pulled me back.  Yes men can only actively participate in one task at a time.

In the evening met up with Mary Devine, Yura Usvyat and Ed Aldwych in the Villager bar on King George IV Bridge.  Then we moved across the road to the Outsider for a meal.  This restaurant has a wonderful view of the castle.  I have eaten there before, sometime last year.  This time I ate Red Snapper and a bowl of oven cooked peppers and baby tomatoes.

Then we went onto Whistle Binkies until closing time.  Here we saw several bands play.  It is amazing how four hours of time can just disappear.  So I am afraid it was probably 3.30 before I hit the sack.

Friday

Wet day to today, up late and into breakfast, and yes all those f****** tourists were there again.  This time I shrugged the shoulders and marched straight on out.  Today caught a taxi to work, so as not to dissolve on the way in.  You know when you have had a good night out.  The pockets are always full of loose change. 

As the day progressed the weather improved.  Left work at 14.30 and caught Easyjet home.  Arrived a little late for an evening meal at the Angel with Rosemary.

Edinburgh

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This week I am back to a five-day week.  Caught the 7:55 Easyjet from Luton Airport.  It never ceases to amaze me my boarding number is in the hundreds, what time do those who board first arrive at?  Good flight to Edinburgh, left on time, arrived on time, clear day in Edinburgh.  I saw Arthurs Seat, the castle mound,  Carlton hill, Hibs stadium and Murryfield.  Yes this was the first time I spotted these famous landmarks from the air.  I think it must have been the route we took, a little nearer the city and not flying far out to sea that we sometimes do, (to waste time and slot into a landing I presume).

Was a good day in Edinburgh, plenty of sun.  Ate at Petit Paris and had a warm bacon and herring salad to start, and rabbit to finish.

Tuesday, not so warm today and the sun never shone..  The bank started running performance tests today, so worked late until  7.30 in the evening.  After work had a beer in the Globe with Bill Strachan, Mary, Ed and the new salesman Mark Robertson.  After the Globe we ventured into the Opal Lounge, seems the door men have forgotten Mary and I after the little incident on Jacks leaving day.  Here we had a Thai Fusion meal, quite good.  Left just after eleven so Mary could catch the train back to Glasgow.  I ventured into Whistle Binkies for a quick pint, but ended up listening to three bands playing.  One band (Stella 66) comes from Liverpool, I pretended I was interested in having them play at Selina’s wedding and scrounged a free CD from them.  Selina tells me there is a bar in Liverpool called Stella 66 which she of course has drunk at.  Eventually managed to drag myself out of there by 2.30 and into bed just before sunrise.

Wednesday was another late day, leaving the bank at 8.00.  Spent the day trying to find out why the performance was not great, and why some transactions in the test scripts were not working.  Lovely sunny day though.  Evening I tried to find a new restaurant called the Fez on Nicolson Street.  Never found it.  Now reading the article in the restaurant guide I see its says “Tucked away in a basement under a kebab shop not far away from the Festival Theatre, it would be easy to saunter past Fez without realising it was there”  So I ended up eating at the Bay of Bengal on the High Street.  Remind me never to eat there again.  Afterwards I had a quick pint with Ed, and an early night before midnight.

Thursday was bright and sunny.  Worked late until 10.00pm so did not get out to eat.  Some pizza was brought in while we were running our tests.  I was tempted by WB, but decided on an alcohol free night and went back to the Apex City to watch TV.

Friday was not very eventful.  Plane left on time.  Arrived home before 7.00 and before Rosemary was home.  Nice evening, had a quick drink in the Plough and Anchor  just before 8.00  One regular couple leaving said we were too late.

Edinburgh

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This week was a short week in Edinburgh, just the three days.  I have also made a change in the flights, now flying from Luton instead of Birmingham.  Since the summer season has started, the flight back to Birmingham was a bit too late or too early.  I wanted a nice 16.00 flight back so that I was not to late home in the evening.

Well it all started pretty well, caught the 7.55 Easyjet from Luton and arrived on time at Edinburgh.  It was a miserable day though, raining in Buckinghamshire and raining in Edinburgh.  Rosemary told me the weather in London was Thunderstorms, Hail and Snow.  Very very Frightening.

Back into the Apex City with the lovely walk in showers, and yet again I add to my collection of ducks.

Evening was a meal at the Petit Paris, Tomato and Basil soup followed by Coq Oh Vin, then a couple of pints with Ed.

Wednesday was a mixture of showers and sun.  Started bright but cold.  In the evening had a quick meal at Petit Paris, then onto Whistle Binkies and Bannermans for some rock music.  Quite entertaining.

Thursday I caught the earlier (16.30) flight back to Luton.  Was a bit delayed.

Edinburgh in the wet

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I had another whole week in Edinburgh, and back into the Apex International on Grassmarket, so have been able to add to my duck collection.  Grassmarket was designated by Edinburgh University as one of several areas of Edinburgh, students should stay clear of for fear of muggings.

Plane left on time from Birmingham, I arrived in Edinburgh and went to work.  After work went to the Petit Paris for an early meal of leek salad, think of a lettuce salad with bacon bits and dressing.  Replace the lettuce with cooked leek   Next the Plat de Jour of Toulouse sausage and lentils, finished off with a crepe citron.  The rest of the evening was spent waiting for a call from a colleague who was up for the user day on Tuesday.  No call, so read several chapters of Rebus.

Tuesday, work is looking up, spent much of the day in the Sand Pit.  Missed the Plat de Jour at Petit Paris, so the more expensive main course meaning I had to miss out on the Pichet of red wine, instead opting for an Absinthe as a pre-prandial drink.  Elected for the very tasty Chevre Chaud in filo pastry, and then a Lamb Steak.  As I was finishing my meal I saw some colleagues of mine in the street, so dragged them into the restaurant where they were able to purchase me some wine.

Wednesday it was out for a curry at Zest with Iain from Standard Life, and Joe a contractor from HBOS.  It was then on for a few more beers.

Thursday, slow start to the day, wet miserable day.  Felt rather cold after another day down in the Sand Pit.  Felt better back at the Petit Paris for their Plat de Jour.  This time started with French black pudding (bourdin), Fish Stew and a Crème Brulee with the usual 500 cl of red wine.

Friday, my last day of the week.  Of course a new problem appears in the implementation, so I have a meeting next Tuesday.  In all the weather this week has been pretty bad.  Actually the worst week for all the six months I have been in Scotland.  The only day I thought about going for a walk was on Wednesday.  Lucky I didn’t, by the time I was back at the hotel it was raining.

Slight delay on the plane back, but back before 9.00, and Rosemary was already at home.