Tag Archives: Petit Paris

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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This was supposed to be my last visit to the bank for a couple of weeks.  Arrived at the bank pretty much on time, despite the plane being delayed by air traffic for a couple of hours. 

In the evening a meal at Petit Paris, soup followed rabbit washed down with a demi-litre of vin rouge.  Thought it was a bit early to go to bed, so a quick visit to Whistle Binkies to hear a few bands.  First band was a seven piece group called JFK, with flutes, sax and guitars.  Different.  I am told they will be playing again.  Next another band, quite good and heavy, never found out what they were called.

On Wednesday, just as I was about to leave, I heard I was to be back next week on Tuesday.  Oh well.

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.

Edinburgh

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This week I am back to a five-day week.  Caught the 7:55 Easyjet from Luton Airport.  It never ceases to amaze me my boarding number is in the hundreds, what time do those who board first arrive at?  Good flight to Edinburgh, left on time, arrived on time, clear day in Edinburgh.  I saw Arthurs Seat, the castle mound,  Carlton hill, Hibs stadium and Murryfield.  Yes this was the first time I spotted these famous landmarks from the air.  I think it must have been the route we took, a little nearer the city and not flying far out to sea that we sometimes do, (to waste time and slot into a landing I presume).

Was a good day in Edinburgh, plenty of sun.  Ate at Petit Paris and had a warm bacon and herring salad to start, and rabbit to finish.

Tuesday, not so warm today and the sun never shone..  The bank started running performance tests today, so worked late until  7.30 in the evening.  After work had a beer in the Globe with Bill Strachan, Mary, Ed and the new salesman Mark Robertson.  After the Globe we ventured into the Opal Lounge, seems the door men have forgotten Mary and I after the little incident on Jacks leaving day.  Here we had a Thai Fusion meal, quite good.  Left just after eleven so Mary could catch the train back to Glasgow.  I ventured into Whistle Binkies for a quick pint, but ended up listening to three bands playing.  One band (Stella 66) comes from Liverpool, I pretended I was interested in having them play at Selina’s wedding and scrounged a free CD from them.  Selina tells me there is a bar in Liverpool called Stella 66 which she of course has drunk at.  Eventually managed to drag myself out of there by 2.30 and into bed just before sunrise.

Wednesday was another late day, leaving the bank at 8.00.  Spent the day trying to find out why the performance was not great, and why some transactions in the test scripts were not working.  Lovely sunny day though.  Evening I tried to find a new restaurant called the Fez on Nicolson Street.  Never found it.  Now reading the article in the restaurant guide I see its says “Tucked away in a basement under a kebab shop not far away from the Festival Theatre, it would be easy to saunter past Fez without realising it was there”  So I ended up eating at the Bay of Bengal on the High Street.  Remind me never to eat there again.  Afterwards I had a quick pint with Ed, and an early night before midnight.

Thursday was bright and sunny.  Worked late until 10.00pm so did not get out to eat.  Some pizza was brought in while we were running our tests.  I was tempted by WB, but decided on an alcohol free night and went back to the Apex City to watch TV.

Friday was not very eventful.  Plane left on time.  Arrived home before 7.00 and before Rosemary was home.  Nice evening, had a quick drink in the Plough and Anchor  just before 8.00  One regular couple leaving said we were too late.

Edinburgh

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This week was a short week in Edinburgh, just the three days.  I have also made a change in the flights, now flying from Luton instead of Birmingham.  Since the summer season has started, the flight back to Birmingham was a bit too late or too early.  I wanted a nice 16.00 flight back so that I was not to late home in the evening.

Well it all started pretty well, caught the 7.55 Easyjet from Luton and arrived on time at Edinburgh.  It was a miserable day though, raining in Buckinghamshire and raining in Edinburgh.  Rosemary told me the weather in London was Thunderstorms, Hail and Snow.  Very very Frightening.

Back into the Apex City with the lovely walk in showers, and yet again I add to my collection of ducks.

Evening was a meal at the Petit Paris, Tomato and Basil soup followed by Coq Oh Vin, then a couple of pints with Ed.

Wednesday was a mixture of showers and sun.  Started bright but cold.  In the evening had a quick meal at Petit Paris, then onto Whistle Binkies and Bannermans for some rock music.  Quite entertaining.

Thursday I caught the earlier (16.30) flight back to Luton.  Was a bit delayed.

Edinburgh

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Another week at the bank has been completed.  The highlights of the week were.

The Flybe flight to Edinburgh was cancelled, and we were put on a BA flight, which was meant to leave 15 minutes earlier.  Rather a rush to catch the flight.  In the end we did not arrive in Edinburgh any earlier.  Did have a breakfast though.  Other than the breakfast, the BA flight was not fun.  Long queues at the Check in, which I had to jump, crowded aircraft, it took a long time to get on and off, and we were parked miles away from the terminal.

Yura was in town on Monday.  The result was an expensive meal at Thai Me Up for Ed, Yura and I.  The meal was very nice indeed.  Yura who is the expert on Thai restaurants in Edinburgh was heard to say the food was very good.

Tuesday I ate at the Petit Paris, having my usual pichet of vin rouge.  I ate a prepared crab followed by the fish of the day.  Afterwards I had a couple of pints of beer at the Bow Bar on Victoria Street.  The Bow Bar has a massive whisky collection.  I estimated there were 150 bottles of malt with well over 100 different malts.

Wednesday I took a walk around Arthur’s seat taking a stop at the Sheep’s Heid pub.  This pub is meant to be the oldest pub in Scotland, and resides in the ancient village of Duddingston.  The walk I did was basically along Queens Drive, which is a road used by joggers and cyclists circumnavigating Holyrood Park. The walk was quite a pretty walk, which takes you past a couple of Lochs.

Thursday, Ed, Mary and I had a few beers after work at the Guildford Arms.  When I got back to the hotel it had stopped serving food and did not even do snacks.  Not really very happy about the Mount Royal Ramada Jarvis, it has seen better days.  It is though on Princes Street and does have some actual Scottish staff.  Happy days next week, I will be back in the Apex on Grassmarket.

Friday, I ate a big breakfast to make up for the lack of Supper.  Flight left on time and arrived early into a nice warm Birmingham evening.  Of course no point landing early, the busses are never ready.

Edinburgh

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Another day completed.  Decided not to take a walk, weather looked like it could drench me at any moment.  So had an unusually quiet evening watching the box in the hotel.  Eventually went out for an almost alcohol free evening mean at the Petit Paris.  Yes I know, how boring, two days in a row.

Very nice starter of thinly sliced scallop marinated in olive oil, lemon and chervil, followed by pan fried Monk fish with a few mussels in a Saffron cream sauce.

Good news, have heard that the ADSL line at home is now active, and the modem/router should have been delivered, except Selina did not hear the delivery man, or was still asleep.

Edinburgh

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After months of on time flights, FlyBe has reverted to late flights.  This morning the flight was over an hour late leaving Birmingham for Edinburgh.  Edinburgh was quite sunny today, but rather cool.

Supper was at the Petit Paris on Grassmarket, now open on a Monday for the summer season.  Amazing the number of tourists now around, back in the dark months the Petit Paris barley filled its upstairs dining room.  Now even on a Monday at 6.30 both upstairs and downstairs were full.  As proven last week, my regular appearance at this small French eatery does not guarantee a seat.  Today they were telling the several people to come back in ten minutes.

I started with a spinach and courgette soup. It was very nice and thick.  Main course was from the low cost plat de jour menu, and was sausage, bacon and lentil casserole.  I think I might add that to my repertoire of weekday meals.  Finally I had their gorgeous crème Brule.  All this was washed down with a half litre of vin de rouge.  They have a web site at http://www.petitparis-restaurant.co.uk

Afterwards met up with Ed and had a pint at Bannermans on Cowgate.  Although there was a band playing, I think we watched the music videos from Kerrang on their TV screens.  The we tried the Bo Bar which had rave reviews.  Definitely an arty student type of bar, though as a student I am not sure I could have afforded the prices.

Arthur’s Seat

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Well I am still commuting up to Edinburgh every week.  Now the clocks have changed, and the evenings are lighter, I thought I would take the time to visit Arthur’s Seat.  I was well impressed with the area.  The walk to the top was a bit of a scramble towards the end.  After the seat I walked down and then along the top of the Craggs.  The view of Edinburgh was magnificent, though rather hazy in the late evening sunshine.  I shall make an effort and walk up there every week, and visit the seat after a cold front has just passed through.  (That should be when the view is at its clearest)

One big disaster though, my favourite restaurant, Le Petit Paris, was unable to seat me for supper.  They could have taken my later, but I was on a tight schedule for drinks with Ed, so ate at a Tapas Bar.

Edinburgh and Rosemary

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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.