Edinburgh trip

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

We took the train down to Edinburgh yesterday afternoon and went straight up Waverley Steps to the Cafe Royal, where Anne had booked us a table in the Oyster Bar - a place I'd always wanted to dine in, but never really had the chance. We were a touch early but they kept us going with drinks, olives, balsamic vinegar and some of the best bread I've ever tasted until they officially started serving at 5 pm.

We had a nice round corner table, which had an interesting plaque behind it - check http://iansaleadventures.blogspot.com/ for a photo.

It's a lovely place with fine wood pannelled, tiled and stained glass wall features:



After our early supper, we strolled down to our hotel, which was a discreet 5 star place called the Glass House, adjacent to the theatre. Anne had found us a deal on the internet and it really was lovely - top quality and a little different. Our rooms were on the 3rd floor and we had doors which opened out on to the roof terrace gardens. This is Jo stepping out to join me:



Calton Hill was right behind us:



Turning the other way, there was a lovely view all the way down to the Firth of Forth:



Les Miserables was great - much better than I remembered it from the time we saw it several years ago. We had a beer in the adjacent Theatre Royal, and who should come and sit at the next table, but several of the cast.

Colin and I decided we would also have a nightcap using the honesty bar on the 3rd floor of the Glass House - it seemed quite odd pouring your own measures and just signing for them.

Breakast this morning was very nice in the Observatory room and then Jo and I went shopping in John Lewis, Jenner's and Laura Ashley. We're still looking for a chair for me, plus a TV table and - a new idea - possibly a bureau style desk. We were partially successful, in that we saw a couple of possibilities, but we didn't actually order anything. The bureau in particular is proving to be a bit elusive - we may have to try the antique shops or Mother Hubbard's in Torphins. I may also have now gone off the original idea of getting a swivel recliner - we test drove a very comfortable easy chair in John Lewis - we both liked it, although Jo is a little concerned that it may be a little big - particularly if we take the storage footstool as well. This is what it looks like:



We had time to stop off for coffee at the rear of the Dome, below Rose St - a lovely spot:



After that, it was lunch with the Elgies - check http://bvetsfootballgroup.blogspot.com/ - then we all headed off back down to Waverley, with the girls, as usual, bringing up the rear:



So, we're home now and just chilling out this evening. Tomorrow, it's Aviemore for me - hope it stays dry.

Polling day

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Well, I've voted, but that's the only thing I'm going to cast today - the old adage about "ne'er cast a clout until May is out" certainly applies - at least judging by the forecast of another Arctic blast heading our way. If it's not ash, then it's the weather - and we were hoping for a really nice summer this year as we're staying in the UK for a change.

Dodged a bit of a bullet this morning on my way to Fraserburgh. On the road between Dunecht and Kintore, there was a line of static traffic in front of me - most unusual for that road - especially at that time of the morning. I spotted it from a way back and managed to make a U-turn and find another road to Inverurie. Just as well - the lunchtime news said it was a nasty head on collision and the road is still closed, several hours later. Apparently the accident happened at about 7:15 am this morning - just before I got there. Hope it's open on my way back tonight.

Nowt much else to report today - hope you're having a good one, y'all.

Midweek May week 1

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

It's a bit warmer than the weekend - but certainly not seasonal yet. I just hope it stays dry tonight for my Wednesday night golf - would you believe, I'm playing with our club pro tonight - will I beat him? I wish.

What else is new? Well, we had Luca round yesterday as usual and he was fine - until we tell him he has to go home. Does he have cruel parents or is it just that he has a Granny who tends to his every whim and who he can wheedle anything he wants out of? I think I know the answer.

After weeks of diligent research and a few store visits, I finally took the plunge last night and ordered my new camera. I'll be glad to see the back of my existing one, which was acquired in haste and which I've never liked - and it's now starting to fall apart. I'm still not ready for digital SLR's - they're still too bulky - you can't carry them around easily and I like wearing mine on my belt - that way, I tend to take it everywhere I go, which I wouldn't do if I had to carry it round my neck. It's a fairly high spec digital however, but small enough to wear, and with a few new features that I might enjoy. It's actually the Sony model that was recommended to me in the camera shop in Grants Pass, but they didn't have one in stock when I was there, unfortunately.

I've also finally started to read the 3rd book in the Milennium series by Stieg Larsson - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. So far, so good - I really like his style of writing - it's gripping - but you have to read the books in the right order. Jo eventually got round to reading the first one on holiday and I thought would want to start the second one when she got back - I'd loaned it to Johanne, who promptly returned it when we came back from USA - but Jo hasn't touched it yet - perhaps I'll pass it on to Colin, who's also been waiting to read it.

Well, that's me about done - off to golf now - then Fraserburgh tomorrow and Edinburgh on Friday afternoon/Saturday morning - we're having lunch with Colin and Linda Elgie, who we haven't seen since they moved back to Middlesborough a number of years ago. On Sunday, Keith Gray's picking me up and driving me over to Aviemore and we're back on Monday evening - it's all go round here!

May day holiday Monday

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

Well, it is for some, but here I am, struggling away over a hot keyboard, blogging like mad - it's so quiet today - a lot of folk on holiday and no phones ringing or e-mail traffic - and I've got 6 blogs to keep up to date as well.

It's still bitterly cold for May - hope it gets a bit better for next weekend when we're off to Edinburgh for the theatre on Friday night, then it's Boat of Garten for me on Sunday/Monday.

We had a nice weekend, despite the cold - at least it was mostly dry. I managed to squeeze in my golf on Saturday morning before rushing home to change and head off down to St Columba's for Peter and Srie Hodgson's daughter's wedding.

The reception was in the grounds of Crathes Castle in a marquee - it must have cost an absolute fortune. The meal was lovely - and a bit different - Moroccan lamb and couscous was the main course - and I thought it tasted pretty authentic.

Here's Jo and I in the marquee, sipping champagne and knocking back raw oysters - or at least I was:



On Sunday late afternoon, we went round to Peter and Srie's, where they were - rather bravely we thought - holding an all-day barbeque for all the wedding guests. We did try to get in to the spirit of things, despite the bitter cold, and ate our food outside, but eventually, we all retreated to the warmth of indoors. I captured the moment outside first of all as proof:



That's about all for now. Jo's got her usual Monday afternoon swimming today - I don't think I'll stay in the office all day, so I might pop in to Bannatyne's for a little while later on - it's been a long time since I used my membership there.