Category Archives: Edinburgh

Gutworm

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Today, went out for a drink with Mary and Ed.  Afterwards I went to the Bongo Club.  Some metal bands were playing.  The Bongo Club is on Holyrood road.  Walk down Cowgate towards the parliament.  The road changes in to Holyrood, and on the left is the Bongo Club.

Reasonable venue, but rather cold, probably because there were only 30 or so there.  I reckon I must have been the only paying person, all the rest were from the bands and hangers on.

Should have started at 9.00, but did not start till 10.  Three bands played, ending at 12.30.

The bands in order were, Turbyne, Sweet Zombie Jesus and then Gutworm.

Turbyne, were young, but actually quite a good band.  Think there were 5 in the line up.

Gutworm were the older band and definitely the best.  Noise and metal at its best  The other bands definitely looked up to them.  They should be playing in Rushden on the 25th November and the White Swan in High Wycombe on December 3rd.  Well worth a visit.

Mary Devine’s birthday

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Cold sunny day up north again.

Out to lunch at 12 with the team and others for lunch at the Cafe Royal.  We were celebrating a mile stone birthday for Mary Devine. 

Evening, a meal at the bar in the hotel, and then listened to one bang at Whistle Binkies.   Not as good as the Wednesday before, but original.

Petit Paris

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Another sunny, but cold day in Edinburgh.  My room looks towards Arthur’s Chair, and I saw the sun rise around the side of Duddingston Loch.  Times like this I wish I had my camera with me.

Petite Paris for the evening meal, not seen the waitress there for a while, must ask where she is.  Could be working in their other restaurant which opened this year.

Had a full meal:

  • Cream of Carrot Soup
  • White Sausage on mash and tarragon gravy
  • Creme Brulee
  • Pichet of Vin rouge

Edinburgh 4.45 start

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Off to Edinburgh again, My usual Easyjet flight was fully booked, so took an earlier flight from Birmingham on BMI Baby.

Only problem was I was out of the house at 5.00am, and it looked to be a foggy day.  Luckily the M40 was clear of fog.

All the cars in Birmingham were totally covered with frost.  Edinburgh was positively barmy when I arrived.

Was lazy this evening, ate at the bar in the hotel, some Turbot, Chips and Broccoli.  Sounds odd, the Broccoli was served with almond flakes, olives and a dressing

Graduation Day

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After our lovely holiday in the Channel Islands with John and Carol Curd, it was back to work.  First day was in the office, then a one-day trip to Scotland to the Bank.  One day seemed to turn into 4 days.  Had to change the EasyJet flight twice, and stay in two different hotels.

First night was at the Apex City.  No free broadband access, so left them a remark on their comment form.  That night ate with Yura Usvyat, who suggested a pub called the Jolly Judge, just off the Royal Mile for free Internet access.

Wednesday was staying down at the Hollyrood hotel near the parliament.  I hoped that there would be free access there from the Thai Restaurant, but alas there was none.  Ate at the Petit Paris, eating a nice fish dish of Ling.  Since discovered it to be a type of deep-sea cod, which appears on an endangered list, and to be avoided.  Afterwards met up with John Curd and Yura Usvyat who were meeting Malcolm Collett from a company call arum.  https://www.arum.co.uk

John and Yura went off to eat, so I took off to see what was happening at Whistle Binkies.  Turned out to be an excellent night.  Four bands were playing.  Caught the end of the first band, and left when the third had started.  The second band though was excellent, very loud and metal.  A Glasgow band called Graduation Day.  See them at https://myspace.com/graduationday

Thursday, went to the Jolly Judge for a couple of pints and some internet access, then onto the mussel and steak, for some fish and chowder.  https://www.musselandsteakbar.com

Friday back home, quite rough in Edinburgh, one tree on the way to the airport, by the zoo, had been blown over.  Otherwise there were no problems getting back to Luton.

Petit Paris

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Still raining in the morning.  Walked to work as usual, picking up my bacon and egg roll at Snax.

The evening started with a pint in Whistle Binkies, followed by a meal at Petit Paris.  Had the Sea Bass with an olive topping.

Amusing chat with the couple next door.  The guy got up before ordering to go to the loo.  As he left he said to the girl guess what I am having.  I said to here, he is having the rabbit.  He could not believe the girl when she guessed rabbit.  The give away sign were the fingers, in rabbit ear shape above his head as he left the table.  He thought he had just brushed his hair.

Chat with spiky hair, she was wondering how long I would be there.  We got into talking about Iran and Saudi.

Whistle Binkies

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Horrible wet day.  Rained all day.  In the evening, started off a quite evening.  30 minutes on the exercise machines burning off the waist line, followed by a swim and then the hotel restaurant.

Had some scallops on a risotto base, with a plate of brussel sprouts.  During the meal, by down fall occur ed.  Ed phoned.  We met up in the Half Way House, on the setps between Waverly Station and Cockburn street. We actually met outside in the torrential rain.  After a few pints there we moved on to Whistle Binkies for some music and beer.

Raddisson Itchycoo

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Flew up to Edinburgh again  The landing was twitchy caused by very blustery conditions on arrival.  This time landed pretty much on time, not like the previous week.  The weather started out nice, though windy, but by the end of the day it was drizzling.

Evening entertainment was down in the gym.  First bought myself a pair of reebok trainers and shorts in a closing down sale.  (Place was closing down 2 months ago)..  Then to the hotel gym, where I used the tread mill and training bikes.  Cooled off with a swim and sauna.

Ate in the hotel Raddisson Itchycoo bar.

  • Gulf Shrimp Cerviche with a lime, grilled pepper and cilantro.
  • Serrano Ham with chips and fried egg.  The chips are always called  “ratte” potato-truffle salad.
  • 4 types of olives.

 

Finally back in the hotel room, spoke to rosemary through the Internet connection.

Edinburgh

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Well you guessed it, I am back from Saudi.  Pleasant trip, but very humid in Jeddah.

Week started badly, EasyJet were several hours late setting off.  Found a nice quiet place in the airport to wait.  No one else around, the Costa Coffee shop had a very underworked and pleasant girl serving there.  She got quite a bit of businees from me!

The week, well ate mainly in the hotel, but had one visit to Petit Paris.  Met Ed and Mary for a lunch time drink.

Mary and Ed

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Tuesday I went out with Mary Devine and Ed Aldridge for a few beers and supper.

Started off in the Bow Bar on Victoria street where I drank their Malt of the Day.

Then onto The Mussel and Steak Bar, where we all had Mussels in various sauces.

Afterwards had a pint in the City Cafe on Blair Street, Bannermans on Cow gate and finally Bows  on Blackfriars Street.

The area around there was full of noisy students.  I think term had started and all the freshers where being taken on a tour of the area.  They were getting discounts at the various bars.  Definitely made me feel old.