Rosemary and I went to the 50th Wedding Anniversary of her uncle and aunt. The lunch time meal was held at The Chalk Lane Hotel, Epsom. After an excellent meal we decamped to their house for cake and a whole other meal.
https://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/blasdale-picture-gallery-2010/2010-david-and-joan-50th/
Our main holiday this year was in Scotland. Ravi and Maggie had invited us to launch the Hossack Institute of Highland Studies in memory of Maggie’s parents. So, we decided to extend the holiday by staying in the Cairngorms National Park near to Tomintoul.
The drive to Inverness was uneventful, except for the police car parked on the motorway bridge with a speed camera. The speeding ticket has not arrived, so reckon I have gotten away with it. That evening some of went out an ate the Great British Menu, curry.
The next day I did some site seeing. Looked around Cawdor castle, the Clava Cairns and Culloden where we whipped the Scots.
The evening was a party night, where we met many of the Hossack’s.
One more day in Inverness, Sunday saw a few of us taking a boat trip on Loch Ness to Urquhart castle in the rain and then a delicious meal in a local restaurant converted from one of the many churches in Inverness that have fallen out of use. I might say a far better use of the premises.
Monday saw us heading to Tomintoul where we were to stay in a converted barn for the next 5 days. When we tried to buy food, it was suggested the nearest place was Inverness. Why had we not visited Tesco as we left Inverness? During the 5 days we toad a steam train, walked around the Glenlivet estate, and tried some Speyside whiskies.
Finally, we travelled to Helensburgh for a couple of nights. The original intention was to stay with some ex-colleagues (Mary and Ed) in a B&B owned by a woman who had been a customer. Alas, she had to go to a hospital, so Rosemary and I stayed in Helensburgh (Loch Lomond appeared full) for a couple of years. I stayed there in 1972 during the enterprise championships.
You may wonder about the pictures of the trees in the gallery, I took a picture of this tree in the exact same spot in 1972.
Sitting listening to my music on loud volume. One minute silence by On deaf Ears. At the same time cheffing because Rosemary late back from a funeral. Sausages and Rat. Resting a mo. here is a picture of foot anc chef overalls.
I am writing this blog entry on my mobile phone. Today is warm and sunny, working at home converting a Websphere 5 application to Websphere 7.
Thought I would add a photograph of the asparagus bed we picked a few weeks ago.
Arrived in Newcastle on time, and just pulling out. The Lindisfarne reference is nothing to do with the weather, but my inability to get Facebook talking to Twitter. There must be some snaffu in someone’s software. I get asked for my twitter credential, and they are rejected. Why?
Here I am on the East Coast rail line, on a bright sunny day, meandering up to Edinburgh for three days of work. The jet planes all roaring over my head, marking their route with their vapour trails. I feel super righteous in cutting down on my carbon foot print. Like hell I do. The future came out as I predicted when I bought my return trip on the chemin de fer, The planes returned to the air on that very day.
I’ve had a cappuccino, and a a pain au chocolate, now holding off on my sandwiches until later. Have been playing with face book, trying to get my blog published there. Looks like I may have it working now. Next lets get twitter and buzz working.
I have started a four week project in Edinburgh, and will be flying up and down each week. I will be staying at the Apex hotels.
Monday
Today ate at Hanams, a Kurdish restaurant which serves no alcohol. Yes the whole day went by without a drop of alcohol passing my lips. I went to Hanams several years ago when it was on Lothian Road. The restaurant has moved closer and is now close to the Royal Mile and the castle.
Tuesday
Strange things happen. I joined Linkedin a few months ago, and up pops someone who Rosemary and I saw when on holiday to Jordan in 2006. I had an invite to visit Alistair and Jane in their home just south of Edinburgh. I had a lovely evening.
Wednesday
Hanams again.
Thursday
Petit Paris, and their post 7.00 meal. Had the works, with wine. Afraid no change out of £30.
Friday
Back home again, managed to get back for the dessert and cheese course of a dinner party we had been invited to in the village.
I have been reading some bits on the Intel Website. (Whoever said we never click on the Google Ad words?) An interesting topic with two points:
Near Miss
Red Arrows
Sunday we went to Goodwood to meet Rosemary’s niece Anne, her partner Peter, and Anne’s son, ie R’s great nephew, Colin. They were over from Canada on holiday and visiting various relatives. Robert (Anne’s brother & hence Rosemary’s nephew) and his lady Kirsty were there in attendance. Goodwood was running the Festival of Speed. This is a three-day event of cars and bikes hill climbing and vocalising their engines. (Many engines sounded to me in need of going into a garage pronto, but I was informed that was not the case.) Very clever “sculpture” in front of Goodwood House itself.
Red, White and Blue
Red Arrows
There were many stands, and many cars that motor heads could drool over. (There were also quite a few old sheep dressed as lamb, which weren’t worth drooling over.) Celebrities were around, Jenson Button and Chris Evans to name two. The Red Arrows performed for the crowds.
On the way back we stopped off at Biceser village for a set meal at Carluccios. Quite reasonable value thee course meal for two and a couple of glasses of wine for £35 including tip.
There is a car up there
Travelled to Birmingham a couple of times this week. Monday and Tuesday I was installing some new software at the offices of One Stop. They are a small supermarket chain.