COA launched the new year with a meeting at Center Parcs. A few meetings got in the way of an otherwise enjoyable afternoon of team-building exercises and evening drinking. A few may have felt it would have been better walking back to their chalets rather than using the Center Parcs bikes.
I see my last blog entry was a month ago. We have been doing quite a few things this month. A visit to Cardiff for a long weekend and a trip around the London Docklands area with the Cambridge Society. Alas I delegated these write ups to Rosemary who has failed to come up with the goods.
I am back in Edinburgh for a short trip. Excellent flight up here, we left early and arrived in Edinburgh early. The flight was full so I can claim it was a Green Flight, Mr Blair. Lovely and sunny here, but how cold. Cold East wind blowing all day.
At out at the Mussel and Steak, and had yet again a wonderful Rib Eye Steak, hung for three weeks, and served rare. They do know what rare is, lovely.
Well that’s it, must get off to work now. Should be here this year for at least four more months. So looking forward to the next festival. Maybe I can persuade Rosemary to come up here again.
After working all Saturday, decided to have a night out enjoying myself. Started out with a meal at my favourite Thai Resturant and bar, The Mai Thai. Had duck for my main course, not the usual spicy duck, but one cooked with tomatoes and pineapple. It was an excellent change to my usual dish.
Then it was off to Whistle Binkies where I listened to a band called Roadhouse. A 70s-80s cover band. Excellent renditions of Stefan Wolf, James Brown – Play that Funky Music White Man, Kinks – You Really Got Me Going, AC/DC – Highway to Hell. A few pints later it was back to bed, and then an earlyish bus to the airport.
I had to get through security by 09:00, so that I could set up to buy the tickets for Glastonbury. Both Rosemary and I tried, but by 11.30 we got the message all sold out. Never once in that time did Rosemary connect to the website. Who were all these people who were succesful in buying tickets!!
I had a hard 4 days working in the office training some support staff from a customer. As soon as the course was completed, it was straight to Luton to catch an Easyjet flight to Edinburgh. Arrived too late for a meal, so ate chips and sausages on the street.
Next day, Friday, a day at the bank helping one of their staff through certificate configurations for CTG. Back to the hotel and a meal.
Saturday, a lovely sunny day spent with another Edinburgh customer, helping them go live with an upgrade which included some changes I had made. All went well, only minor hitches, but on the whole a great success.
Alas the last plane back was too early (16.00), so another night in Edinburgh on my own.
Rosemary wanted to go to see Kettles Yard so off we go on Saturday morning to the Cambridge Park & Ride (no charge for parking, unlike Oxford, but what do you expect from a superior university town?). Arrived to discover gallery closed to set up for a new exhibition, but house itself open from 14:00.
What else could we do to pass the time other than have lunch? Cafe Rouge beckoned us and we shared a starter of miniature French bread batons and dips. Steve had moules (complete with requisite finger sucking) to follow and Rosemary had something she much enjoyed but can’t now remember (must be her age). Wait, she’s remembered – chicken breast stuffed with brie and wrapped with ham.
Back to Kettles Yard for its opening. What a lovely place it is, see http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/ It was founded by H.S. ‘Jim’ Ede as a place where visitors would ‘find a home and a welcome, a refuge of peace and order, of the visual arts and of music.’ It now belongs to Cambridge University. We were told on entry that we could sit in any of the chairs and look at the books, but not put them away and instead leave them out ready for shelving by one of the staff. Pictures were everywhere and so were some very comfy chairs, both upholstered and wooden versions, and some brilliant tablescapes. Natural objects interspersed the sculptures on tables, shelves, furniture and the wooden or brick floors – including shells and pebbles, some in complex arrangements. Amazingly, not a speck of dust to be found. R wrote to compliment them and was told “Like any good employer, we encourage the dust to spend weekends at home.” R says she knows whose home it went to and she didn’t invite it. We also encountered Janine the daughter of an ex-Walkerite who is now helping there. Small world.
A day trip to Gateshead today. Left home too early, in the snow, and arrived at Stevenage station at 6.30 for the 7.19 train to Newcastle.
Quick trip up here, had some meetings around placing the portals onto Oracle portal server.
Back then on the 17.30 GNER train. I am writing this on the train, using their free wireless access. Very cool.
Rosemary arranged to go on a little trip with the Bedfordshire & Luton Geology group to walk and hear about the Fullers Earth Industry at Aspley Heath near Woburn Sands. Set out with plenty of time, but alas never found Aspley Heath until far too late. The navigation was a total mess. I shall have to buy a Tom Tom.
Instead we stopped at a good farmer’s market in Woburn and bought some good bread and then popped into see John and Carol, and have a bite of our bread with them (plus their cheese etc) for lunch. Then back home.
Being Mothering Sunday, we were delighted to have Selina and Graham over for supper and Rosemary very pleased to receive flowers, vase, chocolates and wine for combined Mothers Day & birthday gifts. What more could a girl (?) want?
The cold spell has arrived, a quick reversal from the warm and fairly dry weather we have been having for the last few weeks. Forecast is lots of snow, but so far none.
This is now my third week in the office, I have some courses to give, probably next month. Their preparation should keep me occupied for a while.
Last week I did get a trip to Ireland to watch Clem update a data warehouse with changes required for the e5 product add on product IDOCS. IDOCS is an airline specific add on which records all charges associated with flights. (Rosemary says that acronym is also an SAP interface mechanism.) We worked within walking distance of Dublin airport, but caught a courtesy bus to the hotel. Managed to get an upgrade to the club floor of the hotel. Clem gets automatic upgrades as he uses the chain regularly. I have never stayed in one of their hotels, but the receptionist took pity on me, asked to to give her a big smile and hence upgraded me.
Supper was mainly Guinness, though I was upset at not having any shamrocks drawn in the white cream.
Managed to get back before St Patricks Day!
Had a delightful evening with Tessa and Robin. They had invited over a few ex Walker people, Rosemary and I included. Peter and Janet, John and Carol, Ann and Chris. We had a delightful meal, Rosemary really liked their house and was impressed that Tessa and Robin could easily seat 10, and have enough matching crockery and cutlery. Their downstairs loo was particularly brilliant with all things electrical on display – Robin is an electrician.
I know you have all been waiting for this, but yes I went out for a meal with Mary at the Outsider. A final farewell meal until the next time I am in Edinburgh.
As usual a pretty good meal, and plenty of Pinot Grigio wine.