Tag Archives: Whistle Binkies

Holy Mackerel

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Fishers in The City 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.

Newcastle and Edinburgh

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Visited Newcastle on Tuesday for three days, working on the Farsi project. I managed to get to Gateshead by 9.10 am. without breaking many speed limits.

Took the opportunity to catch a train to Edinburgh on Wednesday evening and met up with Ed and Mary.  The excuse was Mary’s leaving drink.  She has finished working with Walker/Elevon/Arelon/Cedar.  We met for a drink at 7.00pm in the Cafe Royal, went on for a Mexican meal at the Blue Parrot Cantina, then a bottle of Veuve Clicquot at the bar of Jon Marshals best friends, sisters brother in law’s wife’s husbands best friend or some such nonsense.

Finished there for a beer at the mobbed Igloo and finished off in Whistle Binkies at 3.00am Thursday morning.

Able to catch the early morning train back to Newcastle for a full days work, and then drive back home.

Panic set in when I left for Newcastle for Edinburgh,  realised I did not have my car keys, so phoned the office to organise a search for them.  After organising the Gateshead office to search my desk, coffee room, reception, and calling the taxi company, the keys were found in the door lock of the car. 

Edinburgh in the wind

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Tuesday flew up to Edinburgh for a planning meeting on Wednesday.  A very strong wind was forecast for Scotland, in fact during the night there were gusts of 124mph.  The flight was rather rough as we came into land, with some of the passengers puking up.  Need les to say I was unaffected by the turbulence.

Had to take a taxi into the city, no busses at the bus stop and a long queue of people.  Taxi driver said we would have to take detour with the main road being closed because of storm damage.  In the event this had been cleared up by the time we got to the location.

Arrived at the Apex, and had  a glass of wine and a Sandwich for supper, then onto Whistle Binkies  for some rock music.

Cambridge weekend – Saturday

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We were up and into breakfast by 8.00.  Continental breakfast, so there were croissants, and cheese and dried meats.  Chatted to a teenage girl during breakfast, who had stayed the night in collage.  She had been on an admissions day, and was touring a few universities to select the ones she was going to apply to.  She was from central Edinburgh and was familiar with Whistle Binkies.  A friend of hers had a band that played there on occasions.

Rosemary and I went out separate ways for the first event.  She heard a talk on Portraits and Professions, while I went and saw a talk on “A Wonderful Thing is a Phillips Machine”.

The Phillips Machine is an analogue computer, which runs on the flow of water.  It was build by an engineer after the 2nd world war to model the economy.  You could see the effect of changing the interest rates, government borrowing, savings, imports.  They were built in the 1950s.  Of fourteen build this and one in New Zealand are the only ones, which work.  Allan McRobie, a specialist in bridge design and dynamics gave the lecture and demonstrated the machine.  He had spent considerable energy in rebuilding the machine.

Next we had a tour of the Computer Laboratory on the West side.  We were shown some of the work, which is in progress at the university to do with new methods of interacting with a computer.

The first event of the afternoon was Question Time, chaired by BBC Edward Stourton.  The question was, “Where is it all going to end”.

Afterwards we saw a presentation by Sir Christopher Frayling about the image of Scientists in Movies.  Most of the examples were from older films, with very little from recent films.  Rosemary spoke to Christopher and was a bit dismayed that he had never seen the TV series CSI, where scientists are shown in a good light.

Tonight we managed an evening meal at the Galleria restaurant. First though a pint of beer, I had a very reasonable pint of Woodfords from Norfolk. We then went to the Galleria; we had eaten there two years ago on the balcony overlooking the river.  This year it was too cold to do that.  Reasonable meal, we started with a Tiger Prawn Salad and a Pastrami Salad.  Main course for Rosemary was Roasted Mushrooms, while I had Poached Monkfish.

Then it was back to college and bed.

Creme Brule with RBS

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Its funny how days work out.  Thursday started a quiet sunny day with not a lot to do.  Part way through the day, a serious problem was recognised, serious because no one had taken a look at it before and it was high on the user want list.  Ended up with me working until 21.00 in the evening trying to resolve the problem.

Eventually stopped at nine, and went back to the hotel to get changed into the glad rags.  I was off up to Petit Paris where my favourite spiky haired waitress was on duty.  Ordered my wine and pigeon breasts yet again.  Next it was rabbit in a lovely thick wine sauce.  Decided the bank were going to treat me, so I finished off with a Crème Brule.  On the table next to me were an older couple visiting Edinburgh for the festival.  They had never been to the Petit Paris, and really quite enjoyed the place. They had been to a number of plays, and walked out of at least a couple.

After the Petit Paris, it was off to Whistle Binkies for a very quick pint and 15 minutes of listening to quite a good band.  I had decided I needed to be back in bed to follow through the problem I was looking at; so I was back in bed by midnight.

Rutland Hotel with Royal Bank of Scotland

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Today was a pleasant day, even sat outside the Tiles bar for lunch.  Worked late to finish off some work, and then met Simon Stone and Neil Saunders for a pint of refreshment at Tiles.
Booked into the new cheap hotel, The Rutland Hotel, above the Rutland Bar located at the West End overlooking the entrance to the Fantasy Palace.  Soon left for a late supper at Petit Paris, here I ate their asparagus and smoked Salmon for starters, followed by Toulouse sausage, all washed down with some red wine.  As I left, I mentioned to the spiky haired waitress that I wouldn’t be back very often as my work in Edinburgh was complete.  Gave her a kiss on the cheek and said farewell.

Too late to see the show I had planned to see, so went to Whistle Binkies.  Here I saw a couple of bands.  Not particularly inspiring, but the Dark Island beer was excellent.

On the walk back I saw two picture opportunities, just when you haven’t got the camera and tripod.  The Scott monument looked as if it had a beam of light emanating upwards from its summit.  The castle was in low cloud, clear air underneath and lit with sodium lights, it again looked very surreal.

My Next Girlfriend in Edinburgh with Royal Bank of Scotland

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Thursday, this was going to tbe the Festival day for us.

Caught the airport bus into work, it was raining and horrible.  Not much to report on during the day.  Left work promptly at 5.10, back to the airport on the bus changed into my jeans and tee shirt, and then back into the city.  It was still pouring with rain.  Next time I’m in Edinburgh I must bring a waterproof jacket.

Met up with various people (Simon Stone, Mary Devine, Ed Aldridge, Danielle Anderson, Willis Scott, Brian Swann and Morag Monteath)  for a meal at Panchos Villa, a Mexican restaurant, on the High Street.  Had a convivial meal and some red wine. 

Next it was on to the Pleasance where we met up with Campbell Purvis to see a comedy show by Brendon Burns.  The Pleasance is centred on a courtyard where we had a beer before the show.  Around the outside of the courtyard are various rooms where the events were located. We were destined for the Cavern. This started at about 10.  Brendon is Australian, the show was funny and was of course filled with the F and C words all the way through.

Afterwards, at last it had stopped raining, a couple more bars, (I will get their names later on, the last I think the last was the Star bar, over the Cow Gate.).  Here we started to lose people as they left to go on home, Ed, Mary and I tried the underbelly, decided it was hot and damp, so went to Whistle Binkies, which was definitely hot and sweaty.  Here we saw two sets by a band called My Next Girlfriend a five-piece rock band paying a mixture of classic rock (Rolling Stones), punk, funk and their own creations.  Well worth listening too.  We left at 3.35.  Caught a taxi back to the hotel, in bed by around 4.30.  Up and out at 7.30 on the bus and into work by 8.30.  Hardly worth paying for a hotel!!

Last week in Edinburgh with Royal Bank of Scotland

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This last week spent at the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was helping support the system after it had gone live.  Really there were very few problems.

The main event of the week was on Thursday when Mary Devine, Ed Aldridge and I went out for a celebratory drink and meal.  We started off with cocktails at a bar called Tonic, then on to a restaurant called Ricks.  One of these trendy fusion restaurant.  Actually had a very good meal.  Picked up quite a good tip on cooking which I have presented to Rosemary a couple of times.

After this on to three clubs:

First DROP KICK MURPHYS  on Merchant Street just off Grass Market.  This place is under George IV street in the arches.  Fairly empty. 

Second on to Faith on Cow Gate.  We stayed for our free shooter and then a beer.   Not quite our scene.  

Finally on to Whistle Binkies where we stayed until chucking out time at three. I had a dance with Mary.  There was a small bit of trouble at the end where some over enthusiastic bouncers hurt a man as they ejected him.  We were sitting right next to this group and they had not caused any problems all evening.  Definitely light as I made my way back to my hotel.

The bank and my company each gave Mary and I a bottle of champagne.  Very nice.

Sunday morning at Royal Bank of Scotland

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Up early into the office at 8.30.  Had been raining, looks like a showery day.  Simon was in looking at the Mail Transport problem.  Not much I can do to help.

Lots of drilling and hammering going on, probably repairing the outside of the building where an old office block has been demolished. Turning the site into some smart apartments.  Anyway the worked caused the fire alarms to go off, and four fire engines turned up.

The whole of the system is now working The problem was caused by missing packages, for DB2 7 FP10 not being bound on the mainframe.

So we left at around 16:00 for a few beers and whisky in Clarks Bar across the road from the bank.  Afterwards back to the Petit Paris for a meal of Frogs Legs, followed by a 12 ounce steak.  Lovely.

Next on to the Liquorice club for some entertainment, and then Whistle Binkies.  Early to bed at 23.00

A week at the Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh

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Monday

Today I used the local taxi firm to ferry me to Luton.  My car needs MOT and probably some work to cure all the clunking sounds from underneath.  Anyway staying away for 12 days, the taxi is a lot cheaper then parking at Luton.  Arrived at Luton in plenty of time,  I had a ticket number of 62, first time I have been less than 100.

Arrived at Edinburgh well on time, but was delayed at the cash machine.  Needed some cash to get into Edinburgh.

Weather was fairly nice, was able to sit outside on the pavement chairs and tables for my happy hour supper at Petit Paris.  Went the whole hog, and had three courses.  Some lovely asparagus tips and smoked Scottish Salmon to start with.  Followed on by Chicken in a Madera sauce with vegetables, Finally their excellent crème brulle.  Then the embarrassment, I had gone out with no means of paying.  No problem popped back to the hotel for my cards.  Now I had been thinking of going to a new restaurant called Blonde that would have been a severe embarrassment, and a long walk.

Afterwards stayed in my room and watched England qualify through to the quarter finals.

Tuesday

Sunny all day, and then clouded over for the evening.  Met up with Yura, and walked to Blonde where we ate.  Nice meal, of raw Salmon to start, then I had Venison cooked in a red wine and chocolate sauce.  Finally had a a marmalade flavoured source with my sweet.

Stopped at a pub on the way back just outside of St Leonards Street police station for a pint and to watch the football matches.  Back to the hotel, and then out again to Whistle Binkies to see an excellent rock band play.  The played excellent loud and  heavy rock.    Their drummer was incredible.  Unfortunately I have no idea of their name.

Wednesday

Started off a miserable day.  Windy and heavy drizzle.  It then rained all day, except for a small gap in the evening, which tempted me out without my jacket.  Big mistake started to rain again, and was still raining at 1.30 am as I went to bed.

Stayed late at the bank, and had a bit of pizza, then met up with Yura for a meal at the Songkran on Stafford Street.  This is a Thai restaurant run by a couple of Thai sisters.  I must admit I was not very hungry and just had a Thai Green curry and some beers.  On leaving the phone free zone of the restaurant I picked up my messages which resulted in me jogging through the appalling rain to meet up with Ed and Mary in the Villager on George the IV bridge, where we stayed until closing time at 1.00am.  Mary had travelled to Edinburgh to participate in her Yoga class.  Hopefully we will see her back at the bank on Friday and Saturday.

Thursday

Still raining.  It must now have been raining virtually solidly for over 24 hours.  Its so dull and miserable.  After work I went to watch the England/Portugal match at Sportsters a nightclub on Market Street with a few Bank people.  Good venue, masses of TV screens including one huge cinema sized screen.   Quite an enjoyable evening despite the result.

Oh and it has stopped raining.

You may wonder why there is no mention of food today.  Could be because today was a liquid only diet.

Friday

Today is a lovely sunny clear day.  Quite warm walking into work, bought a Danish and a coffee on the way to work.

After work walker up the road with Mary for a drink at the fish tank.  Left her to catch her train back home, I walked back to the Bank for a drink in Clarks Bar with Andy Laing, Simon Stone, Neil Saunders and Willis Scott.  Afterwards on to Indigo Yard with Neil and Simon.   Trendy bar.  It was a lovely evening, so we were able to sit outside.

Left there at around 10.30, picked up some fish and chips on the high street, and then to Whistle Binkies to listen to a couple of bands until 1.30 in the morning.  The first band, who were already playing, were called The Rodents, original guitar rock and covers. They were quite good, though unappreciated by most.  The second band I saw were called Big Hand, a Latino funk band.  They appeared to be liked by the punters,  I stayed for the first half and then decided I should be in bed, implementation weekend was starting.  The road back to the hotel, Cow Gate was mobbed with people waiting to get into the night clubs.