Rosemary and I have been back from our holiday in the Orkney and Shetland Islands where we were immersed in Archeology for over a week. Following this week, we spent another week in Edinburgh sampling the Edinburgh fringe. If you are remotely interested a full write up and immense gallery of pictures are located on the main pages of the website. Click here to be impressed.
Tag Archives: Edinburgh
Day tripper
Good day in Edinburgh, production system configured at client. One new error found while testing. Should have that sorted on Monday, and delivered.
Ended up with time to spare, so have bought a coffee and a chocolate muffin from Cafe Nero. Yes a Cafe Nero has opened in Edinburgh airport, and they stamp your loyalty cards. Costa you have to change.
Now a long wait, was not able to change my flight to the 6.00 pm. The last seat had gone.
Holy Mackerel
Thursday night decided it was an eating night. Thought I would have a Thai meal, so walked over to Thistle Street to try Dusit. Dusit is probably the best Thai Restaurant in Edinburgh. It is small and looked rather full with several people hanging around outside. So I gave it a miss, because across the road was a fish restaurant called Fishers in the City. This restaurant has a good reputation. Despite not booking, they were able to find me a spot at the bar to eat. Only just made it in time. It was nice to see many minor celebrities being turned away at the door.
The place serves Fish, but does have meat for those who don’t fancy fish. There are several fish types on sale as well as shell fish, cray fish and lobsters.
I started off with some some Scallops, and Mackerel for my main course. Both these were quite simple, but excellently prepared. The wine was a revelation, it was the house brand Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa. Most definitely not a French brand, because it smelt and tasted so florally and fruity. I don’t know the name of the wine, not that it matters because it is not on general sale in the UK.
I then headed back to the Royal Mile to take some photos. These are in the gallery. Then dumping the camera, I headed to Whistle Binkies for some Rock and Roll. Here I heard the first set of a Scottish band called Three Card Trick. (Myspace) They were very good. Now I have a recording of them as my ring tone.
I want to announce my Edinburgh Gallery.
Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog
The Edinburgh Crags
Wednesday night in Edinburgh, the rain stopped and the sun came out to play. Even managed to capture a picture of the sun on the Crags through my hotel bedroom window. So with the dry weather, and the festival, it was time to go out and play. First, a quick stop to fuel up with some food, from a kebab shop on the bridges. Must admit the humus tasted of nothing, not even adding politically incorrect salt helped.
The Pleasance Courtyard
Ah well, off the the Pleasance Courtyard where I managed to get a ticket for Greg Davies. He was funny, telling the story of his life and the influences of other people on his life. As is usual he picked on a few people from the front row to help him. Despite foolishly sitting in the front row, I was bypassed. Not so the blonde, busty lady sitting near by. She had to help him with his story, which she amply did.
I managed to squeeze one more set in afterwards where I saw the AAA Stand-Up late. This was three stand up comics Erich McElroy, Ryan McDonnell and Steve Allen. Not quite so good, and the American Erich McElroy was not at all funny.
I want to announce my Edinburgh Gallery.
ASHES TO ASHES
As I booked my flight to Edinburgh, the Icelanders decided it was time to resurrect their volcano. Just before I turned the lights off at midnight, I thought I had better check my flight to Edinburgh. Easyjet was warning all flights to and from Scotland and Ireland were liable to disruption, and I should check the flight. The part of the site for checking flights was, of course, down.
4.45 am alarm, open laptop and check flights. Glasgow cancelled, but Edinburgh still open. Checked the CAA site, and the same news. So off to Luton airport instead of the station. Suffice to say, I have arrived in Edinburgh. Will I get home, am I marooned here for the foreseeable future? [Ed – If he thinks I’ll believe a word of being stranded in Edinburgh because of ash, then the Monster Raving Loony Party will win tomorrow.]
Newcastle and Edinburgh
On the Thursday of my Newcastle trip, I spent the evening in Edinburgh. Caught the Flying Scotsman to Edinburgh, 90 minute trip. Met up with Mary Devine, Ed Aldridge, Neil Saunders and Simon Stone in the Conan Doyle pub. Then onto the Thai Me Up restaurant for a quite expensive but very good Thai meal. Ed though was defeated by his Green Curry, far to hot for him. I ended up eating most of his curry, while he ate my fish dish.
Then onto Pivo’s, bar selling East European lagers. Here we lost the guys from RBS, and Mary Devine. A quick visit to Whistle Binkies with Ed until 1.00am, for old times sake. Then to the hotel.
In the morning, caught the 7.00 am train back to Newcastle, and into the office by 8.45.
Left work early for the long drive home (4 hours) and was able to meet up with friends in the Plough and Anchor for a drink before Supper.
Weekend visit to Royal Bank of Scotland cancelled
I was due to visit the bank this weekend to help them migrate to a new level of our Software. Alas this is not to happen. They have delayed the upgrade to some date in the future. I have cancelled the hotel, and given EasyJet the money.
So that means I have a couple more days at home preparing for the wedding.
Edinburgh RBS
Quick trip to Edinburgh with EasyJet today. Made a long day of it, up at 5.30 in the morning and back home at 21.00. Did not see much of the place, sat in a windowless room all day in meetings at RBS