Tag Archives: Izzi

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.

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.