You are my Little Bird

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Greenfinch at the feeder

Greenfinch at the feeder

Trying out some action shots with my new Canon EOS 550 on the local bird population.  (Feathered variety alas.)  One wonders with all those extra pixels whether a new pro lens is in order.  Looks like I will have to keep on working a while.

Some more wildlife at the local oasis.

Needless to say, as soon as I went indoors, two pairs of Goldfinches arrived, but not the Greater Spotted Woodpecker who is often to be seen on the peanuts.  We’ve also had Long Tailed Tits who were charming.  The Greenfinches are highly aggressive and bad tempered.

Volcano, I’m Still Excited!!

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0416-ICELAND-VOLCANO_full_380 I had a short trip to Edinburgh this week.  I flew up from Heathrow to Edinburgh with British Airways on Monday morning.  I had tried to book a flight on the Friday evening, but found Easyjet were fully booked, and the price of Flybe from Birmingham was extortionate.  Train travel is also rather slow and expensive, so was rejected.  Last resort was BA.  For the sum of £43.00 I received my ticket to Edinburgh, I was able to take hold luggage at no extra charge (not that I had any),  I had bacon, egg, sausage and tomatoes, orange juice and coffee and daily newspaper on the flight for free, and could use the loo without charge.  I did not have to go through the indignity of proving who I was before flying.  Ryanair and Easyjet, you can go and get stuffed, BA is not over priced.

Terminal 5 was a good experience as well.

At work in Edinburgh, I found out how long I was staying, and booked my hotel through Last Minute dot Com.  Not such a good experience, they sent me to the wrong agency to check into the apartment I had booked.  Lots of walking and eventually a taxi, I was in my room.

Luckily I was there just for one night, any longer and I would still be there, stuck for lack of flights.  I am meant to be flying up there on Wednesday.  Will the ash cloud be being blown in another direction?  Let’s hope so.

We have arrived too late to play the bleeding heart show

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An addendum to my previous post.  We were called, we boarded, then we sat there waiting for lots of passengers who had disappeared.  Then we waited for a ground crew to unload the luggage of the disappeared passengers.  Then the ground crew arrived and spent ages locating whatever luggage that should not be flying.   What puzzles me is those passengers who decided not to fly must not have cared less about their luggage and left it to the machinations of Easyjet and Servisair.

In due course we left at 1.30, and arrived at Edinburgh in a sunny almost Spring like day, bit chilly for Spring, but it looked Spring like.  So by the time I was in Edinburgh is was well past 3.30, so felt I was too late for work, so checked into my hotel.  Good start to the week.

We’re walking in the air

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I am still sitting here in Luton airport, waiting and waiting.  I am most definitely not flying.  As I drove to Luton this morning the snow started to settle.  A little longer journey than usual, due to the cautious nature of most drivers in the snow.  Arrived in plenty of time, and watched several planes land.  Departures were announced and off people flew.  We were called and watched the incoming flight unload, and then nothing, and nothing not even an announcement and the traditional vanishing of everyone in authority.

The airport had closed, flights were cancelled, Malaga, Aberdeen, Galway, Germany.  Ours though still hung on.  Oh, one Easyjet  helper said my flight to Edinburgh had been cancelled, but that was denied by all the other staff.  Eventually the electronic boards were updated with information of the flight status, but why so long for the information?  Why does it take so long to provide this information in an easy place to see when the information is known all the time?

I am sitting here at midday writing this after eating my free Easyjet flight meal, ie  Starbucks coffee and a sandwich.  The flight indicator says an estimated departure of 13.30, but I see the Glasgow flight with the same estimate has started to board.  Maybe I will arrive in Edinburgh after all.  I was a tad worried, the snow flurries outside had all started up again after a brief respite.

My flight has been called.  Off I go, let’s hope I go to Edinburgh & not Prestwick.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

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Wednesday was slumming it night.  Haggis, neaps and tatties in the Last Drop, named after the gallows on Grassmarket. Then on to Whistle Binkies for some musical entertainment.

Thursday, another nice but cold day. Stay in evening today.  Spent the evening on the PC, but before that out for dinner at the Petit Paris.  Opted for the pre 7.00 menu and had  vol au vents for starters. These were filled with mussels, or rather one mussel and a delicious sauce.  Then it was coq au vin for the main course.  Of course this was all washed down with two large glasses of red wine. Yes I intend to have a pickled liver, I am fed up with being told what I can and cannot do by this Labour Government and the nanny advisors.  Maybe when the death tax is introduced, Gordon will start to encourage us to drink and smoke.

Friday, another sunny day, though a tad on the cool side.  I wish I could get my hotel room cool, was forced to open the window to let some cool air in, despite the heating being off.  Now I am sitting waiting for my flight at Edinburgh airport.

A complaint about Edinburgh Airport.  [Ed – Grumpy Old Man Moment.]  It is being “developed” and so turned into a damn shopping mall.  It’s going to become more crowded.  I hope though, when it’s finished, that they will remove the food areas that presently congest the narrowest sections of the airport, where people stand in the way, stack their luggage, move their chairs and tables into the corridor and make it nearly impassable between sections of the airport.  Yes you can negotiate the area when you have time, but in a rush its a right royal pain in the arse.

Oh I see the flight has started to board, so looks like it will be leaving on time. Home again, home again, jiggity jig.

Second week in Edinburgh Tuesday

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Up and off to work, no rain today.  Today I went for supper at the Petit Paris and ate their special pre 7.00 pm value meal.  Terrine to start with, and then tuna for the main course all washed down with a few glasses of vin de rouge.

Forgot to mention, I was proffered a glass of Kir Cassis on entry, a gift for a returning customer.  Very thoughtful.  Good meal.  I will be returning.  I see they have a special fondue evening next Tuesday.

Second week in Edinburgh Monday

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Arrived in plenty of time, queues minimal in Luton, more staff on security, though lots of rug rats running around.  Must be half term or something.  Glad I am not flying to Faro, Easyjet don’t seem to have anyone to fly that plane.  All the passengers on that flight have been sent back to the departure lounge.  Must not crow though, my flight has not yet been called. Yes it has, so now must be off.

Arrived in Edinburgh, some sun was getting through to the ground, arrived at the office and was set up ready to go by 11.00am.  All change though for lunchtime, now it is pouring with rain.   How much more dismal can this weather be?  Could be a taxi to the hotel, can’t get wet can I?

Cleared up, for the walk back to the hotel.  My evening entertainment was a meal at the Mai Thai.  Restaurant used to be by Holyrood, but seems to have moved up the Royal Mile.  It’s not now run by Alistair, he left the business.

Edinburgh – My First Week

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I have started a four week project in Edinburgh, and will be flying up and down each week.  I will be staying at the Apex hotels.

Monday

Today ate at Hanams, a Kurdish restaurant  which serves no alcohol.  Yes the whole day went by without a drop of alcohol passing my lips. I went to Hanams several years ago when it was on Lothian Road.  The restaurant has moved closer and is now close to the Royal Mile and the castle.

Tuesday

Strange things happen.  I joined Linkedin a few months ago, and up pops someone who Rosemary and I saw when on holiday to Jordan in 2006.  I had an invite to visit Alistair and Jane in their home just south of Edinburgh.  I had a lovely evening. 

Wednesday

Hanams again.

Thursday

Petit Paris, and their post 7.00 meal.  Had the works, with wine.  Afraid no change out of £30.

Friday

Back home again, managed to get back for the dessert and cheese course of a dinner party we had been invited to in the village.

Bradford and the Giant Nan Bread

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I had a night away in Bradford, yes the early get up, the rush to Stevenage and train to Leeds, then on to Bradford.  At least I can get a couple of hours sleep on the train.

28012010061In the evening I did manage to get out and have a curry.  The first suggested curry house was rejected, lack of beers.  So Mike chose Omahs, a balti house, again dry, but what the hell, it was 9.00pm and we were hungry.

Started off with a mixed grill for a starters.  When I had finished eating that, a feeling of surfeit was already on the horizon.  Imagine my surprise at the Nan bread which accompanied my balti curry.  I was informed it was a small Nan. I should not have been surprised, on the door was a challenge, if you could eat one of their large Nans, then you could go away with £50.

We left having eaten well, leaving behind a substantial portion of food, all for £25.  Next week I will be a little more careful on choosing the quantities.

Edinburgh and Bradford

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It’s been a busy week using up my carbon credits; up before six to catch the Easyjet to Edinburgh to start a project with my favourite client.  I was back in their office in Dundas Street where I had started consulting for them more than six years ago.  The office has been renovated and was very smart, with a great canteen.

Evening I tried the Mussel and Steak on Grassmarket, where I had a memorable steak, and some red wine to wash it down.

I had forgotten all the hills in Edinburgh, and my recent sedentary life caused a certain stiffness to the legs in the two days I was there.

On Wednesday I flew home on a late flight arriving home at ten in the evening, quick nap in bed, and up at 4.45 in the morning to travel back up North to Bradford for a days consultancy.  Home again at ten in the evening.

I definitely feel retirement coming on.  Hopefully less travelling next week, or at least not having to rise so early in the morning.