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.