I recall, sometime during last August's GLA bash, that a suggestion was made for a GLA and EDI bash this August. I'm not sure if anyone has given it any thought since then, or even if it's likely to be feasible because many folks are away for the summer holidays. However, the general thought was to do GLA on a Friday night then EDI on the following night.

My travel plans for this year's UK invasion are yet to be sealed in concrete, but I have a weekend that is free of other commitments that would allow me to be in GLA on Friday 13th August - a really REALLY great date for a bash! :E :ok: Then, Saturday 14th August in EDI.

Is this plan likely to be a goer?

Very short on details at this stage, of course, and I'm not ideally situated to make any of the arrangements. However, I'd value the thoughts of other folk on this.

There's a lot of great people that I haven't met yet, despite visits north of the border over the last couple of years. And, of course, there's people I haven't caught up with since last year... or the year before.

Hmmm, begins to look like I'll be all alone in GLA and EDI... :{

OzExpat do you think it could possibly be because they can't keep up with the competition? :hmm: :ok: :E

Rest assured you will have at least one companion for a night of G&Ts and Jap tucker. I'll be arriving in GLA at lunchtime on the Friday. El Capitano will be in attendance, roster permitting...

Will be there ....roster permitting :)


Bunny :ok:

Well DX, unless there's a response or six from that part of the planet, I'll havta accept yer explanation! :ok: :D

Judging by the posts from PP (phwoooaaar) and Rabbit, looks like there might be a few other "furriners" there, so that might spark a reaction! :E Maybe they're all just too busy working...

Or something... :}

PP... dunno about the proppa Jap tucker in GLA, but I was introduced to a very good place (Yo Below) in EDI a while back! :)

Yo guys,

I'm new, and relocated to the GLA area last year.
Your plan sounds great.
Could you keep me informed bout the where and the when?
Cya
Peter:ok:

Peterfoele

There's a group of us meeting up in GLA on Saturday 10 April - check the specific thread for that one. Feel free to come and join us.

I could probably make the August bash in Glasgow (To break my bashing virginity :} )

I can't think of a better way to do that, G-ALAN! :ok:

roster and accomodation permitting - i'll be there too with a spot of luck

yaffs

Form an orderly queue gentlemen! :E

I for one am overdue another Pprune Bashing!

Yes it's been nearly two weeks since my last bash fix too... :D

Thought it was time to resurrect this topic, just so's everyone will suddenly remember about it again! :E

Looks like its u and me Ozex.

How 'bout a rock night at the Dreadnought in Bathgate :cool:

Half way along the M8.

Wall 2 wall rock chicks, goths, and old geezers like us.

I know a few instructors, PPL's and students with something to celebrate who'd probably be up for it.

That should pack em in. ;)

On the other hand, perhaps not :uhoh:

Edinburgh and/or Glasgow it is then :ok:

Don't all rush at once!

G'day Blackshift. Didn't mean to ignore you mate, it's just that I've been delaying my reply in the hope that someone will help me out with the names of various hostelries used in last year's GLA Bash. I don't know GLA well enuf to specify a drinking itinerary - the only venue I remember (apart from the Oko Jap resty, o' course :D ) is Underworld, but I think we need an assembly point at a pub.

As for EDI... well, gotta start off at Siglos with a Vodka Jelly or 2! The only other venue I remember is Yo Below... can't imagine why I seem to remember Jap resties tho! ;) Anyway, assembly at Siglos would be around 18:00?

I guess that the only thing we really need, in GLA, is the nomination of a pub where folks can assemble between, say, 17:00 and 19:00? Who's gunna suggest a pub in GLA?

I'm up for Edinburgh, I'll be there all august so the 14th is fine! If you post directions and times I'll be there!

Siglos, around 18:00 hours. I have no idea where the place is but figure that, if all else fails, I'll get a cab to take me there! :D

I'm still looking for suggestions for a pub in GLA for a gathering around 17:00. Can anyone help me out with this, or are you all out at Royal Troon? ;)

We're thinking about it - something along the lines of Oran Mor on the corner of Byres and Great Western Road as a starting point late afternoon and then moving on elsewhere.

I've had suggestions of places like the Sports Bar (barmaids wearing skimpy little shorts :E ) and the Corinthian, where there's always LOTS of eye candy! :ok: Decisions... decisions! :ok:

A while ago, somebody told me about a pub in a graveyard, or a church, or something like that. Is that in GLA?

OzEx ... that's Oran Mor. Handy for Ashton Lane too which is a street full of watering holes ....... then work your way back towards town :)

Thanks for that PR! Dunno how I missed your post for such a long time... it must be as stealthy as you are! :} Howz the eye candy there? :E I'd kinda like to check out the stories I've heard about the Sports Bar, but maybe we can squeeze that in a bit later.

So, for those who are likely to be in or around GLA, howzabout we start out at Oran Mor and just let the rest of the night fall into the gutter from there? :D

CarltonBrowne the FO and I will head for Oran Mor late afternoon on Friday the 13th and hope for the best......

Do we have any thoughts on the Edinburgh night out the next day?

I'll be travelling to GLA by train on the same day PP so hope to meet up with you at Oran Mor. Dunno how I'll get there from the railway station, but I'm guessing that the local cabs will know the place! :cool:

As for the Saturday night in EDI. Meet up at Siglos for a vodka jelly or two, as the party starter. Kick-off around 18:00, or earlier if preferred. :E

OzEx,

Friday is no problem :ok: It's a short cab ride from Central Station (around £5), or for those making their way from closer at hand then you can take the Underground to Hillhead Station and then it's a 5 minute walk up to the top of Byres Road.

Oran Mor is the church on the corner of Byres Road and Great Western Road. Nicely turned out though not been in at night so can't vouch for the atmosphere on a Friday.

I popped in the Sports Cafe last week and was not too impressed really. One scantily dressed server and the rest were blokes. :uhoh: Seemed more like a up market pool hall than a pub really. Some not too bad leather seats up on the top deck where you could watch the world walk by on Sauchiehall Street, but all seemed a little too plastic to me as a general impression.

How about Oran Mor followed by a short spell in some of the Ashton Lane pubs. Then to a newish Sushi Restaurant on Byres Road called Fusion ?? Saves too much transit between beer and food :ok:

More details here:

Fusion (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2795609-fusion_glasgow-i)

Then we can hop in to town and start at the Corinthian.

OzEx, if you are up for it, I would propose we grab a room at the Moat House hotel (£20 each if we share a twin - includes breakfast served till 12 midday and a midday check out).

Then we can go to Cuba Norte after the Corinthian. Salsa and live latino band kind of a place which is open till 3am.

No rush for the last train :8


Not sure if I can make the EDI Bash however. Working at 0630 on the Sunday morning and still trying to negotiate a solution to that one :{

Sounds like a great plan Dubs! How flexible will this share accommodation be? That is, reckon it will accommodate a couple of extras, if we happen to get lucky? :E I like the idea of not having to rush for the last train! :ok:

Ashton Lane pubs sounds like a better prospect than the Sports Cafe and I reckon we should try that Fusion place too. We can play the rest by ear after that but, all in all, sounds like it should be a pretty decent sesh!

Hope you can negotiate a solution to the Sunday shift!

Edited to add that, after another read of the Fusion info, do ya reckon we should make a reservation? Just to be sure... :ooh:

Yep, good idea Oz ...

now, how many for Japanese tucker ???

I think its safe to say there are two here.

There was 6 of us at the Oko last year Dubs, so call it the same number at Fusion. I'm sure they won't mind if there's one less, or ten more! :D I couldn't help noticing that we haven't heard from many other GLA-based Prooners but maybe a few of them will turn up at the last minute... with that mean and hungry look! :}

Hmmm... come to think of it, there's quite a few EDI-based Prooners who've been vewwy vewwy quiet too. :{

Add one more please :)

Any advance ... got 5 definites so far.

Will maybe pay it a visit this weekend and see what the score is. Bashers have till then to let me know, then you're on your own ;)

Hotel booked Oz :ok: but not the originally planned one as it was full and very very expensive asd a result, but got a close enough alternative :}

The appearance of cleo and alpha16 rounds out the 6 VERY nicely indeed! :ok: There's room for a few more tho!

Dubs... so yer tellin me that I'll need to bring more than 20 quid with me? :O Me travel is sorted... I have a reservation on the 12:01 from Newcastle on Friday the 13th ( :eek: ), arriving Glasgow Central/Queen Street station 14:46. My return is valid for any train on any day up to 12 September! :ok: :E

Just a pity that I can't stay that long... :{

It isn't looking very promising for me justnow, especially in the cashflow department. I'll have to let you know on Monday.

I'll be there in Edi. So long as somebody PHONES me with details I shouldn't have too hard a time trying to find the place!

Pencil me in as a maybe. Is it Glasgow or Edinburgh?

It's both Firey... hope yer up to the challenge! :p

Firey, Its Friday 13th in Glasgow and Saturday 14th in Edinburgh.

We seem to have a game plan for Friday night in Glasgow.

But what about Saturday in Edinburgh?

Looks like it'll be just you and me PP... hmmm, there's an exciting thought! :E Maybe Dubs as well... ;)

Not quite OzEx - looks like I'll be at the Edin Bash on the 14th with an assortment of fellow ppruners, lurkers and luddites in tow.:ok:

You've made my day Blackshift! :ok: By the time we meet up, it'll have been 2 years and 4 days (or so) since our last sesh in EDI. That MUST be a good enuf excuse to get properly hammered eh? :E

See you at Siglos! :ok:

Will try to make the EdiBash as I'd love to put names to some faces - may be scuppered by childcare duties tho'.:(

Sorry guys, can't make it :( Money is a bit tight justnow as I'm hoping to move to London in September and I need all I can get my hands on. I would like to make a bash sometime soon though, I'll keep my eyes peeled

Ever so slightly tempted as it's very easy to hit the Intercity line to Edinburgh from where I am, and I am halfway up the country anyway.

Will give the idea due and careful consideration over the next 24 hours. Haven't been to Edinburgh since my Brother's graduation many moons ago and it's a beautiful city ......... hmmmmm

And the vodka jellies at Siglos are just sooooooo more-ish, eh? :D

Don't care too much where we go, but I'll definitely be avoiding the spiral staircase at Teviot Row this time around! :ouch:

All change for the Glasgow food I'm afraid. It seems that Fusion has fused and is no more.

So, the definitive Bash plan is now this :

1630-1830 approx Oran Mor pub. It is the converted church at the corner of Byres Road and the Great Western Road, opposite the Hilton Hotel.

Byres Road map (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=256855&y=667330&z=1&sv=256750,667250&st=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf)

1830-2000 approx A bar or two in Ashton Lane. Exact itinerary will be flexible. Text on 07740-367200 for exact location at any given time !!

Ashton Lane (http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=256627&y=666996&z=1&sv=Ashton+Lane&st=6&tl=Ashton+Lane,+Glasgow,+G_12&searchp=newsearch.srf&mapp=newmap.srf)

2000-2030 approx Mass exodus to Oko Japanese Restaurant, The Todd Building, Ingram Street

2030-2200 approx Sushi time !!!!

Ingram Street (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&db=pc&lang=&addr1=&client=public&addr2=&advanced=&addr3=&pc=G11RU&quicksearch=g1+1ru&cidr_client=none)

2200-0000 approx The Corinthian, 191 Ingram Street. Note that there is a smart casual dress code here. Nothing too over the top but your grunge T shirt and dreadlocks are probably not advisable !!

Ingram Street (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&db=pc&lang=&addr1=&client=public&addr2=&advanced=&addr3=&pc=G11DA&quicksearch=g1+1da&cidr_client=none)

0000-0300 approx A spot of salsa, senoritas (or caballeros for the ladies) and sangria to round the night off. We'll be in Cuba Norte, 17 John Street. £5 entry fee (I think) but this includes the first drink.

John Street (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&GridE=-4.24810128051207&GridN=55.8602211851605&lon=-4.24810128051207&lat=55.8602211851605&db=GB&cname=Great+Britain&pc=G11HP&overviewmap=&lang=&client=public&cidr_client=none&advanced=true&addr2=john+street&addr3=glasgow)

Hasta pronto amigos !!!!

You've done this before Dub's haven't you? ;)

Somehow I don't think Edin's gonna be that well organised...

Well done Dubs... local knowledge is always helpful in ensuring a world class hangover! :ok: It's gunna be a looooong nite!

Blackshift... I suspect that the secret to the success of an EDI bash is that nothing is organised in advance, except for the meeting point. I have a hazy memory of the existence of three or four fine establishments that we can choose to invade! :E

In light of the lack of any persuasive replys I am leaning toward not making a trip to Edinburgh.

Just have Bash withdrawal as the planned Cheshire Bash was cancelled :confused:

Aww,LL34, come along...you know you want to!

Go on, go on, go on , go on... GO ON!

LL34... You mean to say that the vodka jellies, to which I referred (straight after your previous post), aren't sufficiently persuasive? :eek: Geez, yer hard to please! :{

Never had a Vodka jelly.

I read about them once :D

Perhaps .... I'm still not decided.

Edinburgh is Sat evening - correct ?

Yes LL34... Saturday, 14 August, 2004. Festivities start at Siglos at 18:00. Reading about vodka jellies won't give you quite the same experience as consuming them! We probably shouldn't have more than one each but, what the heck, it's a bash! :E

The real appeal of an EDI bash is that there's no formal plan for them. It's all worked out at the meeting point - this way, we all get a surprise with each new venue we encounter during the night. It's basically a pub crawl, of course, but there's no fixed agenda or schedule, so we can all fall into the gutter at our own pace... ;)

Looks like I've been too clever by half (at least). Just realised that I don't have anywhere to crash in EDI for Saturday night or Sunday morning or whenever the bash ends. Anyone in EDI got some floor space?

This might not have been a problem except for the fact that I'll have a bag with a change of clothes. Not sure if there are change rooms, shower facilities and storage lockers at EDI railway station so, if anyone can help me with this, I'll buy you the first drink on Saturday night!

I won't be back online until after I return to Whitley Bay, but my mobile nr is 0798 570 6420 and I'll try to keep its battery charged.

May make it down to EDI on Sunday - however will have to leave embarrassingly early in order to catch the last train home.

OK, had my arm twisted by Blackshift. EDI bash it is...

See you in Siglo's, then we can go to a proper grown-up's pub ;) .

ST

stagger, its SATURDAY evening in Edin...should allow for a later train methinks.

Speed Twelve, good man!:ok:

(...arm twisted my ar*e!)

Blackshift... if you're monitoring this thread, I couldn't save your phone nr yesterday - cheap and nasty mobile phone that I've got. :{ Am now leaving GLA, enroute EDI, courtesy of Dubs. Can you give me a call please, so that I can accept your kind offer of refuge. :ok:

0798 570 6420

Well, despite a few no-shows, twas a good night in EDI. I am suitably castigated in relation to Siglos ST! :O At least we now know that it won't happen again next year, coz you and Blackie will be making the arrangements! :E

I will wait for Dubs to do the Pirep for Glesca and Blackie to do the same for Embra, before I post the piccies! :E There, that ought to spark some activity... and denials in advance of the evidence! :p

Suffice to say, for now, that I had a horribly pishy time, being forced to drink and dance (well, it was similar to dancing anyway :O ) and then more drinking! :} My thanks to Dubs for the transport and accommodation arrangements - and in particular for remembering the Bombay Sapphire! :ok:

Also need to record my appreciation for the extensive local knowledge that was used by the Glesca locals to identify the best of the "grown up's pubs"! :ok:

It was great to meet so many drunks... errm, great people - and renew friendships with many others! Next time, we might even see ATCBabe there, if she's not too busy with another house-warming! :p

Roll on the Pireps! :eek: :E

Cheers Ozzy, work in progress to repair memory banks.:confused:

Onya Blackie! :ok: I suspect that Dubs has the same problem! :D Think I remember a place called The Last Drop (Greenmarket?) after Siglo... or was that the place we got kicked out of? :}

EDI Bash/Bashette/Bash PIREP


After getting off to a bad start with a variety of transport hassles, and having hooked up with Speed Twelve at the train station, we eventualy made it to Siglo somewhat later than intended. We were greeted there by OzExpat, 10W and Rupert S, the necessary introductions were made, as well as apologies on behalf of a not unconsiderable number of "no shows" who had wimped out at the last minute.

Legal Notice: I hereby reserve the right to excercise the privilege of generally referring to "no shows" as having "wimped out" without stating or implying that to be the case for any particular individual or individuals.

After a bit of catching up, in terms of drink and chat, Dubs made his apologies for not being able to hang around on account of having to work Sunday morning (note to certain "no shows", mentioning no names - this is what is known as a proper excuse). Not only was he a veteran of the previous night's GLA Bash, but his legendary Pprune Bashing credentials ensure that he has nothing to fear from a humble newbie PIREP hack...in any case the poor laddie's obviously a lightweight!

Speedy and I then set about convincing Ozzy and Rupes that it might be an idea to regroup at another hostelry which may prove better bait for the few "switherers" who were possibly joining us later, since we had alread haemorrhaged potential Bashers at an alarming rate and a bit of damage minimisation seemed to be in order.

However, Ozzy engaged target-lock as a bevy of bunny-bedecked broads barged in, and it looked as if we might have our work cut out dragging him off elsewhere. But his beer-goggles couldn't have been properly activated as yet, 'cos he seemed happy enough to move on in the event, only pausing to mutter something wistful about a pole-dancing competition on his way out...

The Grassmarket was our next target area. This is generally understood by locals to be tourist/student friendly, and relatively free of teenage eejits. We secured a corner of The Last Drop which was just mobbed enough to provide a suitably jovial ambience, and we quickly settled into proper beer and banter mode.

Young Rupes, both a recently qualified PPL, and a bass player in some festival show or other, drew a few admiring looks from the ladies, as he was sporting his razor sharp performance outfit - definitely more Robert Palmer than Robert Plant (although, for the record, this wasn't quite like the gear worn by the bassist in the video for "Addicted to Love"! ).

Anyhow shortly after recieving a text from yet another "switherer" confirming his conversion to "no show" status, it transpired that Rupes was also bailing out! Not sure if it was a show commitment, or whether some other assignation was mentioned? In any case, being a thoroughly nice chap of tender years, he must merit being excused on the grounds of being an apprentice drinker!

Our Bash had been relegated to a "Bashette" as we set off towards Hanover Street where, whittled down to a detemined knot of three, we had managed to secure a last minute booking for some TexMex at the Tijuana Yacht Club. Thereby remorselessly converting our misfortune to our advantage.

As we ambled down the Mound, the phone rang - this time it was Say again s l o w l y another "switherer" who had in any case only mentioned that he might be able to make it after the Tattoo, "Have I just walked past you?"
"Dunno, where are you?"
"Walking up the Mound."
No doubt taking pity on us for the woeful attendance record so far, he confirmed his intention to join us later - good man!

A flying visit to Milne's Bar and then over the road to the TYC, where Speedy's apposite recommendation from the menu - The Three Amigos - hit the spot nicely.

This part of the evening consisted of relatively serious "pilot talk" as I recall - instruction techniques, rules of thumb, swapped experiences and tricks of the trade. I must admit that Ozzy's job sounds quite cool! It was also probably about the latest point where we were sober enough to passably conduct such a conversation.

For some reason I can't quite remember, we decided to head over to the Standing Order after the meal. Shortly thereafter we had the pleasure of having our number augmented by Mrs Speed Twelve, who had just finished work nearby - oh yeah, I think that's why we went there!

Decent, yet not overly-expensive beer (well, you know us Jocks!) conspired with the extended festival licence (3am) to encourage an element of inertia to creep in at this point in proceedings, and we entrenched ourselves there for the duration, soon to be joined by SASly and Mrs SASly fresh from the spectacle of the Tatoo. Six bods being a respectible enough number, we were thereby promoted back to proper "Bash" League.

In addition to catching some "Freight Dog" tales, we were hugely entertained by Mrs SASly's confessions of certain "special interest" shopping errands she has been forced to carry out on SASly's behalf - The Scoundrel !

'Twas a good night after all - however I think that although the "unplanned" approach has it's charms, an advanced restaraunt booking (which folks would perhaps be less likely to wimp out of with a note from their mum or whatever) is possibly the best way to start.

Wonder if stagger ended up at his own micro-bash on Sunday? :uhoh:

How on earth were you able to remember all of that Blacky? You couldn't have been as hammered as I thought! :D Thanks for the comprehensive report - was an excellent memory jogger! :ok:

I was the first to arrive at Siglo, having already sunk my first G/T of the day at my hotel before leaving. I'd had one more by the time Rupert S arrived and one more while learning about his work with a band at the Festival. Hearty congratulations to you RS on earning your PPL and it's great that you plan to continue training for an IR and ultimately a CPL. I wish you good luck, clear skies and happy flying! :ok: I had one more before Dubs arrived so, by the time that Blackie and ST arrived, I was ready for the serious drinking to start!

It needs to be said that, we were all soooo engrossed in the conviviality of the occasion that very few photos were taken. Or maybe I was too hammered to think about the camera? :} I reckon there should always be at least 2 cameras at every bash! And, no, there were no cleavage shots at EDI... though some of the said "bunny girls" tempted me greatly! ;)

And, yes, I think my job is pretty cool too mate, but reckon that SpeedTwelve has a better one. Not always, of course, just like every job - tho there probably aren't too many jobs where you can get frost bite while covering the engines of a Citation eh? ;)

I hope that Dubs can remember what happened on Friday night because I haven't a clue! :E Maybe I can help us both out a bit, by posting the incriminating evidence...? :E

PPRuNe Scotland Bashes 2004 (http://www.fototime.com/inv/0E858869C6A4255)

Stand by for all the denials... :p

Good pics OzEx


All is still clear in my mind concerning the GLA Bash, just need to get a few minutes peace to scribe it ... then the 'real' truth will out :)

The "real" truth? :eek:
Such a pity that I didn't act toooo shamefully then! :}
Don't forget to include a map of our travels mate! :D

Yes - sorry for making such a hasty retreat. Our director was due to head off to New York the following day and we were throwing him a quick farewell bash (and celebration for us) at the City Cafe. Having now been told that I won't be able to hire an aircraft from EDI I'm suffering from accute withdrawl symptoms.

"Special interest"!! I shall sue....

It was good to catch up with the guy's I hadn't seen for a while and excellent to meet up with OzExpat.

When's the next one?

Sorry mate, what I meant to say was "specialist interest" :E

Blackshift wrote...Wonder if stagger ended up at his own micro-bash on Sunday?

Ooops - despite the error in my earlier posting I did realize it was Edinburgh on Saturday. However, circumstances conspired to prevent my attendance. :{

Hope you've got a note from your mum stagger !

Rupes, check your PM'S re a/c hire....

Good report Blackshift :ok: sounds like you lot almost had some fun ;)

Now, the GLA Bash ... let's see what I remember about that :)

It all began with a text from OzEx telling me his train was a little bit late. Ah well, thought I, a little more time for PPRuNe'ing before I leave. Normal transit time to the station is about 40 minutes so no sweat ... but then I remembered, the car needed petrol, the Bombay Sapphire needed something to go with it, and I now had 47 minutes to meet OzEx. Fortunately the Gods were with me and the roads pretty clear (no DX Wombat infernal caravans around to impede me) so I arrived in the vicinity of the railway station with about 5 minutes to spare. It was then that I also remembered the well designed centre of Glasgow with its maze of 'One-Way' streets, lemming like pedestrians, and traffic lights which seem to be habitually red. Still a block away, the phone rang as I was now officially 2 minutes late. I think OzEx was panicking as he couldn't understand that the restless natives around him were trying to be friendly and those guttural tones were actually English language phrases. For example: 'Fancyaswallyomebuckiepal. Goatoanyfagsyaraj ?'. 'Pure dead mental .. as they say up this way.

With the tourist safely in the wheels, we then took another magical mystery tour of the area around the station in the one way road system, ending up at the opposite end from where we started about 10 minutes, 36 left turns, and 400 traffic lights later. We'd have been quicker carrying the car down the street ;) All was not lost though as many of the young office girls were parading the streets having been released for a weekend on the lager and the pull. It certainly kept our eyes well exercised and was a nice introduction of things to come :E

A quick check in to one of the usual 'executive travel' type hotels, a wash and brush up, followed by a tumbler of G&T each and we were ready to rumble. Well, the sun was fast approaching the yard arm and it was about 3.30 you know !! We meandered along the banks of the Clyde swithering between grabbing a cab and walking in the rare UK summer sunshine. 'How far is it ?' says OzEx struggling with his Zimmer ;) 'Oh, just by that bridge' I point. One puffing OzEx later and we reach the Kingston Bridge. ‘Not far now, that’s us halfway’ I say. ‘**%£$””£%***’ comes back an Ozzie accent, ‘I thought you said it was by the bridge ?’ I politely point out I was pointing to the railway bridge which is further on ;) Not wanting to tire our guest out, we hail a cab and then arrive after the now obligatory one way street tour at our first watering hole ‘The Horseshoe Bar’. This is a real pub with real life Weegie people in it and good beer with cheap prices. So it’s surprising that OzEx leaves alive after ordering a very English G&T !! With our whistles now wet, we head off by another cab to our initial start point in the West End, the ‘Oran Mor’.

This is an old converted church recently opened after a multi million pound refurbishment. I bet it was never as busy under the previous owners ? Here, we encounter a very strange phenomenon. We go inside and buy some beers and then decide that the tables in the small garden outside look enticing, and would give us a better view of watching the locals go by (student ladies of course). However the 6 foot wide doorman has other ideas and bars our path. Seems that the ‘inside’ of the pub has one drinks licence and the ‘outside’ has a totally different one and you’d have to buy drinks from the bottle bar in the cellar if you want to drink outside. What the :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: is that all about ?? Oh well, inside it is. Soon we are joined by some more PPRuNers, Alpha16 adding some glamour along with PilotsPal, plus Captain Homesick and Firestorm making sure that at least a couple of Professional Pilots attended a PPRuNe Bash !! PH-UKU also popped in to help even up the ATC side of the house. The beer and the chat were soon flowing as old friends caught up and traded gossip, or made some up. With a long evening ahead, it was time to move on, so the party headed on down to Ashton Lane, a small pedestrianised street which is wall to wall pubs and eateries. We chose to drink at ‘The Loft’ which is spacious, inhabited by eye candy for all persuasions, and provides a viewing balcony so that OzEx and Firestorm can view the local ‘whales’ in relative safety. Everyone was now getting in to the serious drinking pace and the kitty was needing more frequent top ups to ensure that beer tokens remained available. After a pleasant hour or so, the ‘common sense’ genes kicked in and with still around 6 hours drinking to follow, it was decided to head in to town for the food interlude.

The by now standard taxi ride delivered us to ‘Oko’, a Japanese restaurant well known to PPRuNe GlaBashers where OzEx was able to hold court and enlighten all present to the various dishes, the history of the cuisine, and some Japanese chat up lines ;) Still no way I like that Sake stuff though, so his attempts to get me to partake were in vain. Sapporo is much more acceptable to me :ok: Nice selection of food this time around and the bill didn’t seem too horrendous, so it was time to leave before they discovered they’d sent us the bill for the table of 2 !! I think (a slight haze was setting in by now) that PilotsPal and Captain Homesick left us at this point. Something about having to get some exercise or the Captain having to get ‘up’ early. Firestorm also might have left at this point too. The price to pay for not living in the Big Smoke I guess.

Next stop was ‘The Corinthian’, a grand old building converted in to a series of posh bars. Now as PPRuNers, we felt at home here of course. OzEx also likes this place because of the sights he gets to see here. Some beautifully ornate architecture and classic lines and curves .. if you see what I mean !! PH-UKU was frantic on the datalink but we were soon pleased to see that he had rustled up 3 young ladies from ATC who would help us with our forthcoming ‘salsa’ dancing escapades. All his efforts were worthwhile. The Bash Register came out at this point and in various drunken scrawls our attendances were noted …. some even in poetry worthy of McGonagall’s finest works. (In other words, unrhyming, nonsensical, pish !!). With Pumpkin Time approaching, Alpha16 had to leave us to head back to the palace and to prepare for her future. Good luck lass !!

So now we were the ‘3 Amigos’ (Ozex, PH-UKU, and 10W) and ready to sway to the Latino beat and up the tempo, accompanied of course by our 3 lovely ATC senoritas. Aye Caramba !! And so to our final port of call, ‘Cuba Norte’, a salsa bar open till very late and where we could let our hair down drinking beers and dancing to a Spanish band. Oy oy oy muy bien !! And of course to give the true Latin feel, the temperature in the place must have been about +40C, resulting in extreme liquid loss, which required regular replenishment at the bar. Damn crafty these Espanols ;) This place was a lot of fun. We all danced our little socks off and had a tremendous laugh together, however that’s enough about OzEx’s ‘Paso Doble’ steps :p But all too soon it was 3am and time for last orders. PH-UKU took his harem home in a taxi (now that’s a job I am sure I could do !!), whilst myself and OzEx headed back in a merry mood for a final G&T nightcap in the hotel.

And that, M’Lud, ends the case for the defence.

Disclaimer: All innuendo and resemblance to PPRuNers is entirely intentional and we have the pics to prove it all really happened ?

I was just thinking that there must've been someone else with us at Oran Mor. Then I remembered the person who wasn't there! ;)

Thanks for the reminder of that crazy one-way street system mate. I'd been hoping that all the booze would've made me forget it... :} However, you've been most comprehensive with the Pirep Dubs - and, dare I say it, sympathetic to me severely inebriated condition - so guess that I need to be a bit grateful... :D

However, practice makes perfect, so I reckon we'll just have to do it all again next year, huh? :E

(no DX Wombat infernal caravans around to impede me)Remark noted for future reference and action 10W. :E
I hear they may be holding The International Gnome 2005 gathering in a small seaside town in Scotland, noted for its golf. I also hear that Radar Towers has been mentioned as a particularly suitable venue. :ok: :E :E

That'll be St Andrews then. Is there an ATC PPRuNer living there ?? :confused:

No, PPR, I believe the one they have in mind is located on the West coast opposite Arran. :E
For all I know there could well be an ATCO PPRuNer or several living in St Andrews - they seem to get everywhere these days :hmm:
Edited to save 10W becoming too confused - like me :\

I think you're getting confused DX .. I never said a word !!! :)

There's at least one of the aforesaid Prooners who lives in fairly close proximity to St Andrews tho... :D

Oops, sorry 10W I have now corrected my post. There are just too many of you ATCOs around for me to keep track of :\