Testing the water for a "Northern mini-national"

Elegran will no doubt be able to give you a good few ideas of places to eat, but I can recommend The Rosehip on Rose Street, which runs parallel to Princes Street and isn't far at all. There are lots of nice eating places along Rose Street - some old-fashioned pubs which serve food, but also some really nice restaurants.

I don't eat out all that often, Marelli - I live here, so mostly I go home!

In the centre of town, I have been to, and liked, the Spanish tapas bar, Cafe Andaluz near the Charlotte Square end of George Street and there is another Tapas bar in George Street at www.latasca.com/edinburgh/ which I have not been to (I think it is at the other end)

LeMonde is good. It is near the St Andrews Square end of George Street.

Centotre is said to be good. I think that is where Gally, Glass, Marelli and I went the first time we ate in Edinburgh.

There is an interesting Turkish restaurant called Hanedan in Causewayside that I like. That would be a taxiride, not in walking distance. It is tiny and the tables are packed in. The kitchen is in a corner behind reception - which itself is just a shelf - it is shown in one of the photographs on the website. You wouldn't think they could do much more than boil a kettle in it. Their menu is on the website, as are the menus of most of these places.

As Marelli says, Rose Street is full of eateries. It is very likely that you would find somewhere you did not need to book, but it might involve walking along Rose Street reading menus and checking through windows. How does Galen feel about that?

There is always the ROSL itself. They did a very nice lunch when we went there, but have not tried their dinner. Their menus are online at their website www.rosl-edinburgh.org/restaurant.htm

And, of course, Princes Street Gardens will be full of stalls with German street food, Highland delicacies etc etc.

Spent 4 hours last night in A&E. Walking home from visiting brother and sister-in-law two streets away I tripped on a manhole cover that stuck up too far from the pavement. It was in a dark patch between two streetlamps. Luckily brother and dog were just behind me.

Stood up when I had recovered and found one arm hanging squint. Several hours later it turned out it was dislocated and "by the way " Xray showed one finger was broken. Right arm of course. Thank goodness for gas and air while they put it back.

Now in sling and under strict instructions not to use it. Anyone any hints on how to fasten and unfasten bra with only left hand? I have already proved that you can apply roll-on deodorant under left arm using left hand.

Ouch, elegran! Hope you're feeling OK today, apart from pissed off .

Can you fast the bra in front round your waist and then move it round and get your arms in?

Re bra - I broke my right wrist and still put bra on upside down with the hooks at the front, fasten (you learn how to get it right!), turn it round to the back pull up and get the straps on. It does work.

Hope it recovers soon!

bags - same difference.

Elegran that sound s really painful, sending best wishes for speedy recovery

Pissed off is exactly the word.

Thanks for the good wishes. Strangely enough, if I kept it still and did attempt to move it it was not all that painful, just a bit achey. I did not enjoy the speed bumps on the way to A&E though.

Technically speaking it's two! but

Ouch! Found hair washing with only one arm almost impossible...hope it all feels better ASAP x

Elegran Sounds horrible. Hope you can soon reach your bra!!

Oh - Elegran! 4 hours in A&E.... - I can't begin to imagine what that was like on a Friday night! Hope it soon starts to feel better. Are you able to type ok?

Most important, can you drink left handed?

Commiserations! Try www.needundies.com/front-fastening-bras.html for bras to suit - they even have ones that close with poppers. M & S, Damart etc. also have front closing bras.

How long are you liable to be still in the sling? Anything we can do to help with preparations for the meet-up?

Ouch, ouch! elegran. I still have to fasten my bra in front and drag it round, since both shoulders are arthritic. I have tried front-fastening bras but they turned out not to give much support. Take it easy and do what you're told and let's hope you heal quickly.

Just come back to thread after DD and SiL have been in with picnic lunch and help with various things. As they got into car they met Him Next Door and have passed on the news. He has mimed drinking and falling over to me through the window but I assure you I was stone cold sober, more than can be said for several customers at A&E last night. Tonight will be different. I shall have a drop to help me sleep.

Galen I have found that I can do a lot of things left-handed so drinking should be a doddle. What is two? I must be thick today

Marelli Friday night in A&E quite peaceful until 11.30 then a chap supported between two pals, side of face all grazed. They propped him into chair then went over to reception to book him in. Then one came back to ask "Jeff, what is your surname?. After that, several groups the worse for wear. No-one obstreperous. Yes, can type left hand but slowly.

Ya Ya Jen Glad my hair is short, will wash it in shower if I can manage shower.

Bra - I already put it on like that. It is the one-handed bit that will be tricky. Slept in it last night to avoid the problem, but can't keep doing that.

G23 Thank you. When my brain is functioning better I shall see what can be passed to anyone else to do. Fairly well organised, just timings, balance of money, finalising and printing some song sheets and game sheets, and finding another talk plus a spare in case of disaster. No-one said how long in the sling. Think I will look online for info.

Why do things always happen at the most inconvenient times?

elegran ouch, you will be aching in places you hadnt realised you had hurt.
Yes let us know if we can help with anything. Right off to look at restaurants.

Should you get a photo of the man hole cover and make a claim against the council?

Thanks glass

Tegan I certainly intend to report that hazard.Will think about claiming, but it could be too much hassle.

Oh poor you Elegran . I was thinking the same as Galen never mind the floppy boobies, can you lift a glass okay?

You must report manhole cover even if you don't want to make a claim, someone else will fall if it is not corrected.

The normal reaction of our concil to reports is to reply thanking you and saying that something will be done immediately. A team goes out and places a traffic cone at the hazard, then nothing more happens.

Ah we have magic yellow lines instead. They paint them round hazards and hope the magic will magic them away