Yeah – Christmas weekend away. Went off to Brogues last year, and this year it was to somewhere I had been once, with work, some years ago, in the dark..
Unfortunately it was a work Christmas party the day before – not something I usually partake in, but as the team is now pretty much based in Cardiff, it was worth giving it a go – luckily for me I was sensible, and got home around 7. It got messy after that..
So, up at the un-godly hour of 4:00am, and staggered into the shower to try and wake up, it didn’t really work. 4:48 and we were off in with Paul and Dawn and over the Bridge to BRS…
Got there with plenty of time to get though security, which was already queuing – stupid stupid thing, you now have t take off hats/scarfs/coats/jackets/boots/watches/belts and put all your little plastic bags in a neat line so the security folk can be arrogant arses to you. But it wasn’t too bad, and before I know it I have a BK sausage bap and a cup of tea – that’s the great thing about holiday – BK before 6!
Through the cattle market and into a bus, which was cold – thankfully, before being carted off with the other two thousand people to the plane. I nearly slept on it, but not quite. Bit of a walk from the plane to the taxi’s but there were plenty there and around five hours after I had got up we were checking in…
Room was pretty good – seemed dark – which wasn’t a problem, and not quite as sparkly as the brochure had suggested, but it had a wacking bed and a TV. Next stop – the outside.
It was chilly in Scotland – it had snowed the day before, and the remnants were still around – we made it about 15 mins up the road, before coffee (or tea) called. I was already feeling a little dehydrated, but a tea and a water cured that. Then we continued up the Royal Mile to the castle. By heck it was cold up there, we had a nose around – not much to see really, not so much a castle, more of a load of buildings on a rock. It was chilly.
Some time later, all the parts had been perused, and it was time to head for a beer… Just down from the castle is GrassMarket, which I think is the “old town”, but importantly it was just down a load of steps and it had the wonder of the modern world – a pub. Very nice guy at the bar helped us out, then overcharged us – but I suppose we were tourists after all.. Another beverage and sausage and mash, with a few Whitebait, and off we were exploring. Well, when I say exploring I just took the gang the long way around to the next stop – Grayfriers Bobby. This was a pub named after a dog who sat on a pavement for a long time, then died – then was buried. We managed to secure a great table in the window, and had some nibbles and a couple of the great Scottish lager – Peroni. We were also introduced to the game of Wizards – which is a game that’s sole purpose is to allow Dawn to win everytime! ;o)
After this relax, we walked back to the Radisson to do something, then over the road for the next one, and the next and maybe one more, its a little hazy. Early doors we walked just across the road to the Royal Spice, which had great reviews, but we sat in the back which was a little shabby, but Cobra on tap and a great Vindaloo along with a haggis Naan made it extremely bareable. I got the impression all the food was spicy, when everyone said “This food is spicy”, mine made me cry a little – magic.
Up to bed, and an early night was in order – Sian fell asleep immediately then amused me no end by talking to Kate on the TV remote control, while still under the influence of tireness – although impossible to relate, I spent 20 minutes laughing – after that I was so tired I slept until morning…
Radisson Blu – 7/10
Beehive – 7/10
Greyfriers Bobby – 7/10
Royal Spice – 8/10