Norwich

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Worked at home most of the week.  It has been cold all week, with very little precipitation.  Friday was meant to be really stormy, but in the end did not affect us.  Believe the west country was badly caught out, with many children having to stay at school for the night. 

I  started my course if vaccinations, in the belief i might be going to Saudi.  Visited the nurse twice in the week, going there again next week.

The weekend we drove to Norwich, and stayed with my father and Ann.  Went to Norwich to see a film (The persistant gardener), set in Kenya.   Bit of a problem getting there, traffic was bad, missed the  proposed start of the film, but it actually was not showing at that time.  Went around the shops, got caught by shopping center evacuations, and long queues in the coffee shops.  Back to the cinema to watch the film.

Richard

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This weekend was gnerally cold and miserable.  We though had Richard Fowler and Vicki round for lunch.  Richard recently has returned to the village.

Selina and Graham turned up just as we were about to eat.  They eventually stayed, we did have rather a large rib of beef to get through.

Gutworm

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Today, went out for a drink with Mary and Ed.  Afterwards I went to the Bongo Club.  Some metal bands were playing.  The Bongo Club is on Holyrood road.  Walk down Cowgate towards the parliament.  The road changes in to Holyrood, and on the left is the Bongo Club.

Reasonable venue, but rather cold, probably because there were only 30 or so there.  I reckon I must have been the only paying person, all the rest were from the bands and hangers on.

Should have started at 9.00, but did not start till 10.  Three bands played, ending at 12.30.

The bands in order were, Turbyne, Sweet Zombie Jesus and then Gutworm.

Turbyne, were young, but actually quite a good band.  Think there were 5 in the line up.

Gutworm were the older band and definitely the best.  Noise and metal at its best  The other bands definitely looked up to them.  They should be playing in Rushden on the 25th November and the White Swan in High Wycombe on December 3rd.  Well worth a visit.

Mary Devine’s birthday

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Cold sunny day up north again.

Out to lunch at 12 with the team and others for lunch at the Cafe Royal.  We were celebrating a mile stone birthday for Mary Devine. 

Evening, a meal at the bar in the hotel, and then listened to one bang at Whistle Binkies.   Not as good as the Wednesday before, but original.

Petit Paris

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Another sunny, but cold day in Edinburgh.  My room looks towards Arthur’s Chair, and I saw the sun rise around the side of Duddingston Loch.  Times like this I wish I had my camera with me.

Petite Paris for the evening meal, not seen the waitress there for a while, must ask where she is.  Could be working in their other restaurant which opened this year.

Had a full meal:

  • Cream of Carrot Soup
  • White Sausage on mash and tarragon gravy
  • Creme Brulee
  • Pichet of Vin rouge

Edinburgh 4.45 start

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Off to Edinburgh again, My usual Easyjet flight was fully booked, so took an earlier flight from Birmingham on BMI Baby.

Only problem was I was out of the house at 5.00am, and it looked to be a foggy day.  Luckily the M40 was clear of fog.

All the cars in Birmingham were totally covered with frost.  Edinburgh was positively barmy when I arrived.

Was lazy this evening, ate at the bar in the hotel, some Turbot, Chips and Broccoli.  Sounds odd, the Broccoli was served with almond flakes, olives and a dressing

Banbury

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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.

Graduation Day

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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.

Holiday

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Sorry for the lack of postings on here.  After a wonderful week in Guernsey with our own chef Gordon Curd, we are back in England to hear the sounds of fireworks.

Nice week, did plenty of walking and worked out in the Gym with Carol Ramsey.

We walked most days on the island, didn’t get over to Herm, bad weather conditions.  Had plenty of alcohol, used most of my years allowance.

Petit Paris

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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.