Flight back home late in the evening. Car was iced over when I got back to Luton.
Category Archives: Edinburgh
Planning Meeting
Up early in the morning into work. Had to wait quite a while to get into the office, seems quite a few busses, trains, and the bridge were not running.
Evening went out with a group of friends for rather too many drinks in the local pubs around Grassmarket. Then down to Broughton Road and the Phoenix. Afterwards back to the hotel for a nightcap and bed.
Edinburgh in the wind
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.
Visit to Edinburgh
Short two-day trip to Edinburgh to do some training. Caught the early flight up to Edinburgh from Luton, good trip with Easyjet, arrived on time.
Had lunch with Ed Aldridge at the Star Bar, a massive plate of chilli and nachos. In the evening a few pints of Stella at the Burke and Hare, before wending my way back to the Apex in Grassmarket. Notice they now have wireless lan and DVD players in all their rooms.
Next day gave my training course, seemed to go OK. Took less time then I anticipated. Back on a late Easyjet flight, which again arrived on time.
Edinburgh RBS party
Flew to Edinburgh Friday afternoon for a Christmas meal with RBS. On arrival booked into my flea pit hotel, and then having a few minutes to spare, popped into Whistle Binkies for a quick pint. The intention was to check out what bands were playing for later in the evening.
Then it was on to the Opal Lounge where I met the RBS and other Cedar employees who contributed to the project. There was a good meal where I ate Sushi, followed by Monk Fish on a bed of rice with a lime sauce. I can’t remember what I had for the third course. Next we seemed to consume more alcohol, and I do remember dancing with Mary at some stage. The group who attended were Andy, Campbell, Douglas, Kevin, Mary, Neil, Simon, Ed, Danielle and Brian. From the whole group, Ed , Mary and I were the last to leave.
Next day treated my self to a greasy breakfast, then went around the Royal and Scottish museum. Saw the model coffins mentioned in the Rebus books. Then it was on to the Scottish parliament, where I visited the debating chamber. It is quite a building, not sure how well the outside will wear because of all the bits of wood decoration attached.
Later I had a meal at the Petit Paris. As I walked by the waiter came out and welcomed me in, asking if I was back for more work, I had their plat de jour of Boeuf Bourguignon. Then it was on for the late flight back.
Cafe Royal and my last day at RBS for how long?
Wednesday, this was my last day for the present assignment. This is also my last day with the bank as far as I can see. There seems nothing else to do.
Went out with Ed Aldridge and Mary Devine for a farewell lunch at the Cafe Royal, (sausages and mash).
Flight back to England, and then home.
Grape with RBS
Tuesday, today back in my hotel at the Rutland. Before the hotel, I met up with Shelley Ward, Simon Stone Neil Saunders and Ed Aldridge in the Grape for a few pints of shandy. Another one of those Edinburgh pubs created from a banking hall. I’m afraid it was a very much liquid supper tonight.
Staying with Ed Aldridge
Monday, a workday. Good weather. Today there would be no hotel for me. Edinburgh was totally booked up.
Tonight I was staying with Ed Aldridge, I had my sleeping bag with me in preparation. Payment by Cedar was for me to buy Ed a meal, so we went to the Siam Thani Restaurant on Broughton Street. This is quite close to his flat. The weather despite being fine was quite cold in the evening.
Started with a mixed platter of Thai foods, called the Thani Platter, then I had a Tom Yum soup, followed by a Gra Paro.
All this was washed down with several Singha Beers.
Stopped off at a pub on the way back for a pint of beer, then back to the flat for a sleep on the couch.
Sunday and off to Edinburgh and the Santorini
No rest for the wicked this Sunday. Up early to catch a flight to Edinburgh. They wanted me in to do an enhancement, which was due to go live the next week. Despite the scheduled departure being earlier than a weekday, I was in the office later.
Worked late until after 19.00 on the problem, then went out for a meal. Found this Greek restaurant on Broughton Street I had been meaning to go to for months. Now was my chance, other side of town to where the end of festival firework display, so it was empty.
Nice meal of mezzos, (meat balls, stuffed vine leaves, and feta with spinach in filo). Followed by Greek coffee and Ouzo.
Back to the Rutland for a night, fighting my way through the end of firework crowds. The whole of Princes Street had been cordoned off, and was now being cleaned by the street cleaners in preparation for reopening.
Poets Day at RBS
Into work by 7.30, never checked my emails, straight into problem solving. As the day progressed it was decided we would not sort out one area of the problem. As I was leaving it was suddenly decided that this area should be looked at after all. So the inevitable request came in, was I available on Sunday to do the code changes for testing on Monday.
I agreed and the arrangements were made, as I rushed to the airport to fly home. It looks like the hotel is going to be out at the airport at some phenomenal price. My cheap hotel has let me down by not having a room on Tuesday night. Oh bother.
Oh and I need never have rushed, as I am writing this, the flight is delayed by over an hour. I have also never seen such a long queue of people arriving at Edinburgh, and never such a long queue for people flying on Easyjet.
Well unless something else major happens, you will know that I am at least late home, but nothing else major occurred.