Today there was a lovely blue sky. So I walked to work with no jacket. Stupid, this is Scotland, and the weather changes. Walked back with no jacket in the rain.
Watched England draw 2 all to Sweden at the Mai Thai. Wish all those Scots would shut up and support a British team. Last week they all had Trinidad and Tobago shirts, this week they were all walking around in Swedish shirts. I think I will join that boycott and not come here, well unless they keep me in a job.
Very early up this morning, 4.30 to catch a plane to Edinburgh from Birmingham. Bit delayed leaving, and traffic control at Edinburgh cause a few circuits.
Booking agency rang to say my hotel was over booked, so was being moved to Holyrood hotel, which is a bit of a trek down the hill to the Scottish Parliament, so will not be doing Petit Paris this week.
Instead I ate in the Mai Thai, which has free Internet access, a bar, and several wide screen TVs.
Back up in Scotland for a week working at the Bank. Uneventful week ate mostly at the Raddison Hotel bar. Met up with Mary and Ed for one evening out, where we ate pizzas in the Grassmarket, followed by various pints of beer in various pubs south of Grassmarket. Shall have to retrace my footsteps to see where we went. Remember hearing folk music and bagpipes in one bar, and some R&B music in a Jazz club. It was quite a good evening, which I must not repeat too often.
On the way home to Luton on the final landing run when we could not have been more than 2 minutes from touch down, and no more than 1000 foot altitude, the pilot executed a tight 360 turn. As I left I asked the crew (well one wearing gold bands) why. He said ah, so someone did notice. Gave some reason of being too high and wanted to lose height. He was not overly sure as he had not be piloting the Airbus. I know I do this in a paraglider, but a jet.
Back in Edinburgh for 3 days and 2 nights. The sun has at last decided to shine, and on Tuesday evening people were even dining out on the streets. In fact with the ban on smoking I think there were more people on the street then in the pubs.
Paid my usual visit to the Petit Paris where I indulged in a three course meal, but no wine. Free wine in my hotel room afterwards. Such a good customer at the hotel I get free drinks.
Tuesday I went to McKirdy’s Steakhouse on Morrison Street. Never been there before, was recommended in some magazine we get. Not cheap, but very good steaks. I had fillet steak with haggis and a whisky source. Ed ate a large fillet. Just managed to get our order in before two huge crowds of people.
Afterwards stopped off for a pint in a pub on the way back to the grassmarket area, in the area known as the pubic triangle because of the number of lap dancing clubs. Very good selection of beers, including some beers flavoured with fruit. Some very drunk mature Norwegian nurses from a conference attempted to pick both Ed and I up. Hastily retreated to Whistle Binkies to listen to a band.
Flew up to Edinburgh on Easyjet from Luton on Monday.. Thought I was not going to make it.. At the airport the boards showed the flight has cancelled.. Joined the long queue to find out what was happening, only to be told 15 minutes later that the information board had been telling porkies.
Arrived on time, in the pouring rain.
Left on Tuesday in the pouring rain.
In between not alot to mention, did not go to Petit Paris, did not go to Whistle Binkies, did not go to the Burke and Hare or the Western Bar..
The good news is I will be there more in June.
Caught the early morning flight from Birmingham to Edinburgh on Tuesday. Nice and early so missed all the dog owners going to the Crufts show at the NEC. Lunchtime met up with Mary and Ed for lunch. Pretty miserable damp day in Edinburgh, but lovely warm welcome at the Petit Paris where I indulged in a full three-course meal of
All washed down with a pitchet of Vin Rouge.
I was staying at the Apex International for the two nights, so made sure I got both of my free bath ducks each day. They said welcome back. I admit I have not been there for a while; the free Internet access at the Radisson is so welcome.
Thursday was a better day, weather wise at least. During the evening I went to Whistle Binkies and ate at the Apex. Not so indulgent, to offset last nights extravagance, but I really must stop eating Nachos . Every time I eat Nachos I say never again. I hate Nachos!!!!!
Thursday finished off at the back, having completed the evaluation. Hopefully they will write a good report. I ate lunch with Ed at the Café Royal, then back to Birmingham airport.
Friday, I was into work nice and early, not many others in until quite late. Went for lunch at the Café Royal where I ate sausages and mash. I had speciality sausages, very spicy, one quite hot.
I was not flying back this evening, as I was attending the departments Christmas lunch. Started out in the Globe with a few drinks. The place was absolutely crammed with people, and freezing cold because the doors had to be open, and the cold Northerly wind was blowing. Luckily this was resolved.
Arrived at the West end of George Street at eight for supper at Est Est Est. We were divided into two tables, had to wait quite a while for the wine, being severed by a rather dippy waitress who kept throwing her arms into the air. Not sure if this reaction wasn’t brought on by Andy. Later on we noticed people being served other peoples orders. At least they got the steak right, when I ordered my rare steak, it was only shown the pan for a few seconds.
Night still young we walked back up George Street to a nightclub called the Candy Bar. Here we talked and drank till throwing out time at 1.00. Now we were down to three, we went in search of some other clubs, most had queues, or charged, so off we went to Whistle Binkies. Christmas Friday night at Whistle Binkies costs money to enter and was packed. Not sure I want to repeat the experience.
Stayed till the band stopped playing, but I quickly ducked out leaving Ed and Mary, and was back into the hotel before 3.00
Thursday was a cold bright day, worked the day on testing.
In the evening I was able to attend the banks Christmas party, which was in a nightclub, called Cargo over Toll Cross way. Two story nightclub, all glass walls over looking the canals at the back. The walk was not too bad; I arrived several minutes after the start, meeting up with Neil and Danielle. The evening passed in loud music, dancing and quite a few beers. Usual culprits of Ed Aldridge, Mary Devine, Yura Usvyat along with lots of Walker contractors and bank people were there.
I left shortly before midnight, eating a Shish Kebab on the way home, dripping much of the sauce over my lovely tangerine coloured shirt.
After finishing the first job, I checked into the Radisson. I was staying on to work at the bank for a couple of days.
The Radisson hotel welcomed me with an informal drinks party on Wednesday evening. The idea was to meet all the other regular guests in the hotel, and award them with free drinks. Talked to a few of the guests and had an enjoyable evening. None of them though would accompany to Whistle Binkies where I watched a reasonable band.
Started the week in Edinburgh, working three days with a Life Assurance company. Travelled up early Monday morning on BMI Baby, met Chris Rooney in the lounge, but missed Yura who was flying on another carrier.
I met Clem in the Café Nero for a coffee and then over to the office for work. Stayed in the Apex City those two nights, going out for a curry the first night and then the Mussel and Steak where I had mussels followed by Bass.