Lunchtime at the Café Royal, leaving presentation back in the office to Ed Aldridge. Evening quick meal in the Olive Branch, where I ate Sea Bass. The meal was very nice, then it was back to the hotel for an evening in.
Category Archives: work
Yura Usvyat
Tonight I went out with Yura Usvyat, Ed Aldridge, Mary Devine and Jo Kelly. Yura was leaving the bank, and this was his fare well drink and meal.
Evening started in the sun, outside Tiles with many other people. We then went to the Petit Folie, a French Restaurant at 61 Frederick Street. Busy, but were able to accommodate us. We all ate well. French, very much like the Petit Paris, staff the restaurant. All the food comes from a very small kitchen. These French Restaurants who seeming can produce 100’s of meals in an evening from minute kitchens with two chefs, impress me.
The evening was young, so off to a bar, The Jam House, with life music. Think a good band had been playing, but had just finished. The next was a covers band, we had a good laugh at the people who were attempting to dance. Never seen any thing so funny. Then onto a gay bar. By this time, the weather had deteriorated, and I was getting drenched in the rain.
Flight problems
Spent some of the day deciding whether to try and get back home, or book a hotel for the weekend. Tried to book a hotel, but they were all over 100 pounds, and out of the centre. My flight back to Luton was cancelled, as seemingly all London Edinburgh flights were. No problem getting a flight back to Birmingham. Actually travel was easy, the flight was a third full, left on time, the departure hall of the airport was empty, the security checks were quick. This is how flying should be. From Birmingham I took a train to Banbury, with the intention of catching a connecting service to Bicester. Alas the Virgin train to Banbury was running late, so missed the connection. Rosemary drove out to pick me up.
Edinburgh
5th August 2006
Back at home, our field had been mown, and turned into hay. Today it was baled and carted away.
—-
Flew up to Scotland from Luton. The airport was in absolute chaos at the security. At least 30 minute queue. No idea what would happened if there were some form of high security alert.
Stayed at the Apex City this week. It has been a long time since staying there. Ate at the Petit Paris.
—-
Tonight I ate at the Mussel and Steak, quite a good meal of Monk Fish. I just love watching the TV screens, which show the chefs working in the kitchens live. Must admit I never see my food being cooked
—-
Tonight it was the Petit Paris again, where I had a beautiful steak.
—-
Didn’t feel like going out, so stayed in at the hotel, rather a mistake, the meal was a bit lack lustre.
Edinburgh
I have finished another whole week in Edinburgh. This time travel was a little easier than the previous week. Travel was almost on time. Return flight was a little late, so was unable to make the party at New Horizons the new gym which has been opened at Haddeneham by Nigel Stone. Nigel worked at Walker and Cedar for many years, and now has his own business.
24th July 2006
Flight to Edinburgh left and arrived on time. Good days work at the bank, followed by a Meal at the Petit Paris. Went for the full works, a Terrine to start with, followed by Toulouse Sausage, and finally a Creme Brulle.
25th July 2006
Ate at the Radisson hotel today. Normal fare at the Ichy Coo bar.
26th July 2006
Edinburgh is still managing some good weather, the place is full of people, there will be even more when the festival starts. Went vegetaria! n today, and ate at Black Bo’s
27th July 2006
Another uneventful day, and an evening in at the hotel. The nice Scottish bar maid was on duty today, so had someone to chat to for a while.
28th July 2006
Back home on the Easy jet plane.
Three hour delay on Easyjet
It was again a very cool misty start to the day. Where is all the heat from down South. Dinner in the hotel, and at last the draught beers (well larger) was on tap.
—-
It was a little warmer today, but cloudy. Had lunch at Tiles with my work colleagues, a rather large chilli burger. I left work at 4.00 to catch the 6.05 Easyjet to Luton. We eventually left Edinburgh airport after 9.00. There was a three-hour delay in the flight. There had been some technical problem with an aircraft, needing a replacement plane and replacement crew. Much warmer in Luton then Edinburgh, and there was thunder and a small storm during the night.
Why is Edinburgh so cold
This morning flew to Edinburgh from Luton for a five day stay, allows me an extra hour in bed. Luton was in absolute chaos; the checking hall was totally full. Start of the holiday season I thought, but apparently Easyjet had a problem with their booking system. They delayed all their flights by over an hour to ensure passengers were able to make it to through to departures. Even so someone did not make it.
Flying up I was able to see the coast line from North of the Wash, round Norfolk, Suffolk, and down the Essex coastline. This was while flying over Northampton. On arrival at Edinburgh, found my laptop was not in the overhead lockers, so I rushed out of the plane, barging past everyone, and managed to find the culprit who had taken my laptop. He had accidentally picked the wrong case, though the ones left in the locker seemed very different to mine, and he had still not noticed when he put papers into to bag. In future I sh! all take more notice of what people are taking out of the locker as they leave.
Ate in the hotel today, sitting at the bar.
—–
Another sunny day, but not very hot.
Had supper at Time-4-Thai. I have eaten there before for lunch with the other bank people. The waiters and waitresses are very attentive. Had a mixed platter of starters followed by a green curry.
Had a call from Mary and Ed, met up with them at the Bank Hotel. They were sitting outside drinking wine, with 3 others from the bank. Couple of them were staying in the Raddison hotel. Have not bumped into them.
—–
Woke to a very cool day. Arthur’s seat totally covered in cloud, and the cool easterly wind blew al day. The sun broke through later in the day, but it remained cool all day.
Project lunch was with my colleagues at Zest, Indian restaurant next to the office.
Stayed in today at the hotel, eating a small supper of very rare Tuna, and a! plate o f chips
Gateshead
Early morning drive up to Gateshead for a training course. Made it in reasonable time.
I stayed in the Tulip hotel; Internet Access was working this time.
Tuesday was a continuation of the Monday. Wednesday was getting up to speed on the work I will have to do in Saudi in a month’s time. I will continue with the install work back in the Aylesbury office.
Then the long drive back home.
Gateshead
Early morning drive up to Gateshead for a training course.
Made it in reasonable time. I stayed in the Tulip hotel; Internet Access was working this time.
Tuesday was a continuation of the Monday.
Wednesday was getting up to speed on the work I will have to do in Saudi in a month’s time. I will continue with the install work back in the Aylesbury office. Then the long drive back home.
Edinburgh and the Mai Thai
3rd July 2006
Up early and back to Edinburgh. What a change, Edinburgh was freezing cold, cloudy and miserable. By all accounts the South is still as warm as before. Hotel had allocated me a room on the wrong side of the hotel, so unable to pick up the free broad band from the Mai Thai.
Ate at the Mai Thai, very nice green curry.
4th July 2006
Another cloudy day, with low cloud obscuring Arthur’s seat. This evening ate at Zest, where I had a very entertaining evening. The waiter became very animated about Portugal and football. The restaurant is Indian run and the waiter was from the Goa, which has very strong Portuguese connections. He also was a Roman Catholic. I wonder if he has met Richy.
5th July 2006
There was a loud clap of thunder part way through the day. The sun actually came out at one stage in the evening. Watched France win against Portugal at the ! Mai Thai. Very scrappy game as the French held on to their 1 – 0 lead, at one stage all the Portuguese were in the French side, including the goal keeper in a last ditch attempt to save the match. The Portuguese constantly diving and arguing for fouls spoilt the game. They should have been yellow carded. Oh and had some very nice Dim Sum rolls, followed by a curry at the Mai Thai.
6th July 2006
The day has started off sunny, and remained fairly hot through the day. Visited the Mai Thai, yet again, and had a red curry and Jasmine rice. It was very good, washed down with a few Krony. Spent a few moments talking to the owner. For me the Mai Thai is an excellent venue, free internet access, a posh restaurant (if needed), a bar where you can drink, eat and surf, TV to watch the games, and relatively cheap beer, though I need to get them to serve some real ale.
7th July 2006
Today was the final day at the bank for a week.