Tag Archives: Apex International

Edinburgh working at RBS for the week

Blasdale Home Posted on by

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.

Edinburgh in the wet

Blasdale Home Posted on by

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.

Edinburgh and Rosemary

Blasdale Home Posted on by

Nice week in Edinburgh.  Rosemary flew up on Monday and back on Friday for £31 with Flybe.  
She took quite a few tours in the old town, Ghost tour, the Castle (I have still to hear the one o’clock gun), the Royal Mile where she visited the law courts.  She visited the street under the law buildings where Iain Rankin set a scene from one of his Rebus books.  On the Rebus visits we went to the Oxford Bar for a drink.

We met up each evening for supper, once with some colleagues from work, twice at the Petit Paris, and once for Haggis, Tatties and Neaps in a local pub.  Unfortunately the weather was poor.  First time in Edinburgh I have had rain fall while I was out on the street.  So bad one day we had to move hotel rooms because of a leaking roof in the Apex International.