Glasgow and Edinburgh: Ongoing Banter Thread XII - Twelve Monkeys

[A Simply Mesmeric Try]

First topic message reminder :

A Brief History of Time-Wasting


https://www.606v2.com/t48240-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread
https://www.606v2.com/t51313-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-ii
https://www.606v2.com/t53119-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-iii
https://www.606v2.com/t54519-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-iv
https://www.606v2.com/t55409-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-v-the-fun-continues
https://www.606v2.com/t56913-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-vi-banter-boogaloo
https://www.606v2.com/t57946-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-vii
https://www.606v2.com/t58659-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-viii
https://www.606v2.com/t59409-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-ix
https://www.606v2.com/t60764-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-x-rated
https://www.606v2.com/t61904-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-xi-the-undiscovered-country

Edinburgh

1872 Champions

Edinburgh's Fixtures & Results (click to show):

Glasgow

1872 Runners-up

Glasgow Warrior's Fixtures & Results (click to show):

Ladies and Gents, Girls and Boys, it's season finale!

Guinness PRO12 Play Offs
Fri 20 May 19:45 - Semi Final
Leinster Rugby 30 - 18   Ulster Rugby - RDS Arena 19,100

Sat 21 May 18:30 - Semi Final
Connacht Rugby  16 - 11   Glasgow Warriors - Galway Sportsground 7,800

Sat 28 May 17:30 - Grand Final
Leinster Rugby  10 - 20  Connacht Rugby  - BT Murrayfield - 34,550

Cinderella story or what?! Congrats to the Galway posse who were the form team of the season!

[highland_scot]

Holyrood 9A is good, its sister the Red Squirrel not so good despite having the same menu... Its other sister, the Southern, is also good.

Iris is lovely, simple food cooked well. As well as the steak, their duck is lovely. Great place for taking the parents - no funky sauces or foreign stuff, just good food.

Steakwise Kyloe is excellent, as is Steak, but an off the beaten track favourite of mine is Calistoga, on Rose Street Lane. It's a Californian wine restaurant which imports its own wines and sells all wine in the restaurant at a flat £5 mark up from the shop price. Their Ribeye is absolutely stunning. You can also do a wine tasting of 5 wines, with a 3 course dinner, for under £40.

One pet hate of mine is places that give you a hot stone to cook your own steak... if I'm paying that much to go out for dinner, I want someone competent to cook my steak for me! Then I can complain if it's wrong...

[IanBru]

I'm going to a charity rugby match tonight with the Hagia Sophia at Kingston Park, in aid of former Falcons player Paul Van-Zandvliet, as well as related charities.

It's a team of Newcastle Falcons Legends against a select side from clubs across the North East. From a Scotland point of view, the squad list for the Legends is insane!

NEWCASTLE FALCONS LEGENDS: Stuart Grimes, Garath Archer, Micky Ward, Dave Walder, Steve O'Neill, Mike Wood, Gary Armstong, Dean Ryan, Jim Naylor, Stuart Legg, Jason Oakes, Michael Stephenson, James Cartmell, Phil Godman, Andy Perry, Ian Chandler, Carlo Antonio del Fava, Steve Douglas, Neil Franklin, Shaun Richardson, Martin Wilson, Joel Branagan, George Robson, Danny Brown, Pat Lam, John Fowler, Simon Mason, Ross Beattie, Billy Balshen.

Attending but not playing: George Graham, Mark Beattie, Ross Wilkinson, Hall Charlton, Jonny Wilkinson, Richard Metcalfe, Mark Wilkinson, Rob Andrew, Doddie Weir.

NORTH-EAST SELECT: Richard Lydiatt (Houghton), Ian Chandler, Graeme Clarkson, Fergus Mitchell, Steve Douglas, Matt Long (all ex-Gosforth), Noel Mather, Craig Tomlinson, Leon Smart, Neil Mather, Ross Bailey (all Whitley Bay Rockliff), Peter Carter (Sunderland), Shaun Cassidy (Middlesbrough), Lyndon Tweddle, Garry Hodgson, Greg Hayes (all Medicals), David Whitehead, Deano Laws (all Northern), Glen Teeley (Combined Police), Graeme Turnbull, Paul Richardson (all Ponteland), Paul Spowart, Mark Jackson, Greg Dixon (all Percy Park), David Carson (Hartlepool), Jo Coffey, Alan Rogers, Graham Crozier (all Gosforth), Paul Jackson, Paul Mooney, Dave Reed (all Morpeth), Andrew Wilkinson (Army), Craig Wrightson (Wallsend), Andrew Tucker (Guisborough), Mickey Wright (Newcastle Ravens), Neil Young (Redcar), Gareth Kerr (ex-Falcons academy), David Mackenzie, Dan McKay (all South Shields), Jack Liddle (Prudhoe and Stocksfield), Duncan Henderson (Ashington), Richard Elliot (Alnwick), Mike Hay.

[RDW]

I watched Gary Armstrong play in a charity match a couple of years ago, Townsend was at 10 - they've both still got it!

Armstrong couldn't pass and spent most his time in rolling mauls and fighting with the opposition, but that's what he did in his prime anyway!

Townsend was sheer class.

[IanBru]

Steakwise Kyloe is excellent, as is Steak, but an off the beaten track favourite of mine is Calistoga, on Rose Street Lane. It's a Californian wine restaurant which imports its own wines and sells all wine in the restaurant at a flat £5 mark up from the shop price. Their Ribeye is absolutely stunning. You can also do a wine tasting of 5 wines, with a 3 course dinner, for under £40.

Absolutely agreed on that, mate. I can't believe I forgot Calistoga! Bloody brilliant place.

I went there after Scotland v France with a lovely Frenchman, an old friend of my parents - he used to work at the French Embassy in Brussels before he quit to start a winery in the Loire valley. He was hugely impressed with the wine list, though he had an annoying habit of sucking air through his teeth while tasting the wine. Seriously René, not cool.

[highland_scot]

Steakwise Kyloe is excellent, as is Steak, but an off the beaten track favourite of mine is Calistoga, on Rose Street Lane. It's a Californian wine restaurant which imports its own wines and sells all wine in the restaurant at a flat £5 mark up from the shop price. Their Ribeye is absolutely stunning. You can also do a wine tasting of 5 wines, with a 3 course dinner, for under £40.

Absolutely agreed on that, mate. I can't believe I forgot Calistoga! Bloody brilliant place.

I went there after Scotland v France with a lovely Frenchman, an old friend of my parents - he used to work at the French Embassy in Brussels before he quit to start a winery in the Loire valley. He was hugely impressed with the wine list, though he had an annoying habit of sucking air through his teeth while tasting the wine. Seriously René, not cool.

Went there with my better half (now fiancé now I mention it - didn't say on here!) and her parents a couple of months back. They were very sceptical as we passed the International Beer and Vodka Bar and the Rose Street Sauna, but ended up pleasantly surprised!

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

Went there with my better half (now fiancé now I mention it - didn't say on here!) and her parents a couple of months back. They were very sceptical as we passed the International Beer and Vodka Bar and the Rose Street Sauna, but ended up pleasantly surprised!

Casually dropped that in, not like the dramatic reveal RDW went for

Congratulations are in order I believe

[RDW]

Went there with my better half (now fiancé now I mention it - didn't say on here!) and her parents a couple of months back. They were very sceptical as we passed the International Beer and Vodka Bar and the Rose Street Sauna, but ended up pleasantly surprised!

Casually dropped that in, not like the dramatic reveal RDW went for

Congratulations are in order I believe

I don't know what you're talking about!

Congrats mate!

[jimbopip]

Steakwise Kyloe is excellent, as is Steak, but an off the beaten track favourite of mine is Calistoga, on Rose Street Lane. It's a Californian wine restaurant which imports its own wines and sells all wine in the restaurant at a flat £5 mark up from the shop price. Their Ribeye is absolutely stunning. You can also do a wine tasting of 5 wines, with a 3 course dinner, for under £40.

Absolutely agreed on that, mate. I can't believe I forgot Calistoga! Bloody brilliant place.

I went there after Scotland v France with a lovely Frenchman, an old friend of my parents - he used to work at the French Embassy in Brussels before he quit to start a winery in the Loire valley. He was hugely impressed with the wine list, though he had an annoying habit of sucking air through his teeth while tasting the wine. Seriously René, not cool. So I stabbed him with a broken bottle and did unspeakable things with his girlfriend

Bru, you were perilously close to going all MFL there, so I fixed it for you. No charge.

[George Carlin]

Well done Highland Scot.

And obviously, deepest sympathies to Mrs Highland Scot who has to put up with all of your nonsense.

[jimbopip]

Congrats, Highland Scot.

However, the engagement is merely the phoney war which precedes the carnage that is the run up to the wedding itself.

p.s. Schiz, Bru, GC and myself are looking forward to the invites but, personally, I wouldn't invite RDW. His treatment of the bridesmaids at his nuptuals was positively Dothrakian.

[EWT Spoons]

Congratulations Highland Scot

[RDW]

Rumours starting to build about 22 year old SQ stormers centre Huw Jones

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland/stormers-star-huw-jones-could-be-the-next-true-scottish-hero-1-4108641

The article suggests he may be off to Glasgow in 2017, but that would be a crazy move from s Scotland PoV - Glasgow have 3 Scotland centres already, Edinburgh have none now with Scott leaving!

Since he's already SQ a move go England may be more likely, but I'd love to see him at Edinburgh. He's exactly what we need - a class SQ 13!

Morrison also mentions prop Oliver Keppler as a project signing - anyone know anything about him?

[nickj]

Christ, I'd love Scott Johnson's job. All he has to do is log on here and we, or should I say Maj https://www.606v2.com/t57127-scottish-professional-players, and Simply https://www.606v2.com/t60997-scottish-player-list-playing-outside-of-scotland-transfers, do his job for him. How much is the flaming galah paid again?

Jones would be a cracking recruit IMO and the fact that the laziest journo in Scotland has picked it up, can only mean Morrison has broken the embargo of a formal signing announcement that was meant to go public sometime this week.

If he's heading to Scotstoun could it mean one of Bennett, Dunbar or Horne are off?

Kebble seems to be a 23 year old loose head, who was heralded as Steven Kitshoff's replacement at the Stormers. a Height: 1.91 m, weight: 124 kg

[RDW]

Kebble seems to be a 23 year old loose head, who was heralded as Steven Kitshoff's replacement at the Stormers. a Height: 1.91 m, weight: 124 kg
[/quote]

Ooft - he's a big lad!

[George Carlin]

Rumours starting to build about 22 year old SQ stormers centre Huw Jones

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland/stormers-star-huw-jones-could-be-the-next-true-scottish-hero-1-4108641

The article suggests he may be off to Glasgow in 2017, but that would be a crazy move from s Scotland PoV - Glasgow have 3 Scotland centres already, Edinburgh have none now with Scott leaving!

Since he's already SQ a move go England may be more likely, but I'd love to see him at Edinburgh. He's exactly what we need - a class SQ 13!

Very happy if this is true. Would be madder than Scott Johnson with heatstroke to have him at Glasgow when he's needed desperately at Edinburgh although fair play to the boy Huw if he would rather join a team who can win something other than the 1872 Cup.

I think that we are still some distance away from bringing him into the Scotland fold, though. This is the double edged sword of bringing over good Super Rugby players - he actually may still have aspirations to being a Springbok and he is probably only 2 or 3 injuries away from that being a reality. He's only 22 and may well feel that the time to move will be later in his career if his ambitions with the Bokke come to nothing. He is also potentially EQ or WQ as well and I am not sure that he would automatically choose us if Fatland and Tiny Eddie Gobsh!te also start making overtures.

Surely we can do what we always do and cap the fecker before anyone even notices that he's here?

[RDW]

Anyone fancy doing a Munster-Edinburgh thread?

[MacKnocked-on]

Rumours starting to build about 22 year old SQ stormers centre Huw Jones

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland/stormers-star-huw-jones-could-be-the-next-true-scottish-hero-1-4108641

The article suggests he may be off to Glasgow in 2017, but that would be a crazy move from s Scotland PoV - Glasgow have 3 Scotland centres already, Edinburgh have none now with Scott leaving!

Since he's already SQ a move go England may be more likely, but I'd love to see him at Edinburgh. He's exactly what we need - a class SQ 13!

Very happy if this is true. Would be madder than Scott Johnson with heatstroke to have him at Glasgow when he's needed desperately at Edinburgh although fair play to the boy Huw if he would rather join a team who can win something other than the 1872 Cup.

I think that we are still some distance away from bringing him into the Scotland fold, though. This is the double edged sword of bringing over good Super Rugby players - he actually may still have aspirations to being a Springbok and he is probably only 2 or 3 injuries away from that being a reality. He's only 22 and may well feel that the time to move will be later in his career if his ambitions with the Bokke come to nothing. He is also potentially EQ or WQ as well and I am not sure that he would automatically choose us if Fatland and Tiny Eddie Gobsh!te also start making overtures.

Surely we can do what we always do and cap the fecker before anyone even notices that he's here?

Edinburgh have signed that 13 from Oz (can't remember his name) and seem to have offered Sasa Tofilau, the Kirkcaldy centre, a deal so you would think if Huw Jones was heading to Scotland as Morrison hints then Glasgow seem to be the most likely?

[RDW]

Juniour Rasolea has signed from Western Force but is a 12 - that's where he's been playing for them all season anyway.

Tofilau looks promising but is only 20 and has never played pro rugby before - we need a top class 13 who can slot in immediately.

Michael Allan is decent enough but Chris Dean is hardly setting the heather alight.

[MacKnocked-on]

Pleased to see that Glasgow have extended the contracts of Rory Hughes and Junior this morning, I think Junior in particular has a lot of potential and hopefully he'll be getting a good deal more playing time next season, a good SQ winger.

[Hazel Sapling]

Kepple is a tighthead? Certainly could do with another one being put in the pipeline.

If Huw Jones is off to Glasgow to replace Bryce and Fergusson, it is a small upgrade. Jones has not been in the starting line up this year (played 5 times at an average of 9 minutes) with the Stormers (De Allende, De Jongh, Taute, Kotze are being played ahead of him). He has also had no starts on the wing where last year he was shoehorned due to injuries on a couple of occasions. He looked decent but was still learning his role (as you would expect of a 21 year old).

If he signs for Glasgow, it may be insurance for Dunbar or Bennett leaving. We could also see one of Horne, Vernon or Johnson be asked how they like Edinburgh. Still reckon Vernon makes a lot of sense.

Glad to see Hughes and Junior got an extra year. Junior especially needs to be playing more often than this season in the 15s.

[funnyExiledScot]

Juniour Rasolea has signed from Western Force but is a 12 - that's where he's been playing for them all season anyway.

Tofilau looks promising but is only 20 and has never played pro rugby before - we need a top class 13 who can slot in immediately.

Michael Allan is decent enough but Chris Dean is hardly setting the heather alight.

Agreed. I've been impressed with Michael Allan but there's no-one behind him. Chris Dean has had a bunch of opportunities and has yet to show much other than being perfectly solid in defence. Will Helu, if he isn't leaving, could perhaps be tried at 13 as I think he lacks the gas for a winger (plus we have Scholes joining to add to Brown, Hoyland and Fife) but it isn't really an exciting prospect.

Duncan Taylor would be perfect, if only we can convince him than winning stuff isn't cool anymore.

[nickj]

I was looking at the Edinburgh back division, particularly at centre, for next season and there's a worrying lack of Scots:

Burleigh
Allen
Rasolea
Dean
Tofilau tbc
Bryce - or will he be seen as more of a 15?

When you consider Katoa and Helu are taking up squad places while we wait for Robbins and Howarth, its a bit 'journey man' heavy...

The SRU have obviously spotted it, that's why Galbraith and Taylor have been allocated, but its a bit of concern.

I wonder whether we'll see a bit more card shuffling with the likes of Vernon or Johnson swapping clubs? If not, Huw Jones would appear to be the perfect fit.

On another note, I wonder whether Eddie, Bordill or Holmes would consider swapping Scotstoun for Murrayfield, with Edinburgh needing a player or two more as cover in the back row.

Glasgow could pinch Grant Shiels and reignite his once promising career in return?

[funnyExiledScot]

No thanks to Eddie - he's a bit too "Glasgow" for my tastes. I'd be fine with Holmes coming over - he's 30 so should have a few more useful seasons left in the tank and can rotate with Hardie and Watson, plus cover 6 if needed.

I have no doubt that if Shiels moved to Glasgow he'd end up touring New Zealand with the Lions.

[RDW]

It is a shame for Shiels - he is a decent squad player but at 4th choice he's not going to get gametime.

If Ryan Grant is off at the end season he's more likely to get some gametime at Glasgow ( especially given the Toony Tombola) but you can guarantee that if we did send him to Glasgow we'd pick up 2 injuries and end up with a prop shortage!

[funnyExiledScot]

Agreed that it's tough on Shiels. Dickinson and Sutherland have both been outstanding this season - best two looseheads in Scotland - and Dell has shown some promise when he's been involved. It's a position of real strength for Edinburgh, and with Solomons opting to play his best available players at all times even Dell has struggled to get much rugby this season.

[Majestic83]

I was looking at the Edinburgh back division, particularly at centre, for next season and there's a worrying lack of Scots:

Burleigh
Allen
Rasolea
Dean
Tofilau tbc
Bryce - or will he be seen as more of a 15?

When you consider Katoa and Helu are taking up squad places while we wait for Robbins and Howarth, its a bit 'journey man' heavy...

The SRU have obviously spotted it, that's why Galbraith and Taylor have been allocated, but its a bit of concern.

I wonder whether we'll see a bit more card shuffling with the likes of Vernon or Johnson swapping clubs? If not, Huw Jones would appear to be the perfect fit.

On another note, I wonder whether Eddie, Bordill or Holmes would consider swapping Scotstoun for Murrayfield, with Edinburgh needing a player or two more as cover in the back row.

Glasgow could pinch Grant Shiels and reignite his once promising career in return?

Bordill is away to Australia this week I think to play in the Sydney Shute shield for Manly.

[EWT Spoons]

Rumours starting to build about 22 year old SQ stormers centre Huw Jones

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland/stormers-star-huw-jones-could-be-the-next-true-scottish-hero-1-4108641

The article suggests he may be off to Glasgow in 2017, but that would be a crazy move from s Scotland PoV - Glasgow have 3 Scotland centres already, Edinburgh have none now with Scott leaving!

Since he's already SQ a move go England may be more likely, but I'd love to see him at Edinburgh. He's exactly what we need - a class SQ 13!

Very happy if this is true. Would be madder than Scott Johnson with heatstroke to have him at Glasgow when he's needed desperately at Edinburgh although fair play to the boy Huw if he would rather join a team who can win something other than the 1872 Cup.

I think that we are still some distance away from bringing him into the Scotland fold, though. This is the double edged sword of bringing over good Super Rugby players - he actually may still have aspirations to being a Springbok and he is probably only 2 or 3 injuries away from that being a reality. He's only 22 and may well feel that the time to move will be later in his career if his ambitions with the Bokke come to nothing. He is also potentially EQ or WQ as well and I am not sure that he would automatically choose us if Fatland and Tiny Eddie Gobsh!te also start making overtures.

Surely we can do what we always do and cap the fecker before anyone even notices that he's here?

Would he have aspirations to be a Springbok? He only moved there in 2013. He could, I suppose, be their project player, but it's not like he has family ties etc. I think he might be far more likely to have English aspirations, given he's spent most of his life in England. Like you say he is eligible for England as well (maybe Wales, not sure on that one). I think if he has international aspirations it will be with a UK team, unless he has really loved his time in South Africa.

[EWT Spoons]

Anyone fancy doing a Munster-Edinburgh thread?

Done

https://www.606v2.com/t62928-pro12-munster-vs-edinburgh-friday-29th-april#3338875

[highland_scot]

Thanks all for the congratulations. I hadn't quite appreciated from the previous discussions on here just how dire wedding fairs are - Mrs H-S to be has now been told that "it might be lovely for you to go to some with your bridesmaids so that you can look at dresses and makeup without me..."

Last one I went to I ended up blethering for half an hour with the guy from John Lewis who also clearly didn't seem enthralled by the whole concept.

Unfortunately the wedding will clash with the Lions tour, but then pretty sure flights to NZ, tickets and accommodation for a few weeks would still be cheaper... On the plus side, our venue is in the New Town so FES can come along and buy a round of Bollinger!

Mrs H-S unfortunately does not approve of my frequenting a forum, she pretty much wet herself laughing.

[RDW]

Thanks all for the congratulations. I hadn't quite appreciated from the previous discussions on here just how dire wedding fairs are - Mrs H-S to be has now been told that "it might be lovely for you to go to some with your bridesmaids so that you can look at dresses and makeup without me..."

Last one I went to I ended up blethering for half an hour with the guy from John Lewis who also clearly didn't seem enthralled by the whole concept.

Unfortunately the wedding will clash with the Lions tour, but then pretty sure flights to NZ, tickets and accommodation for a few weeks would still be cheaper... On the plus side, our venue is in the New Town so FES can come along and buy a round of Bollinger!

Mrs H-S unfortunately does not approve of my frequenting a forum, she pretty much wet herself laughing.

Jeezo you have my sympathies.  We went to the Corn Exchange one a week after getting engaged and it was terrifying – people not appreciating that a week after getting engaged we hadn’t considered what flowers we wanted, if we wanted to arrive in a Jaguar and how much we want to spend on stationary.

I only went to one further one after that but luckily Mrs RDW hated them as much as I did!

It’s not as if you get much free stuff either – a tiny piece of cake if you’re lucky.

You’ll also quickly realise that the majority of stuff on show at these events you don’t actually need.  We made loads of things ourselves and even got Mrs RDW’s brother’s friend to drive her to the venue in his Lotus! Harpists, ice sculptures, singing waiters, string quartets, mobile casinos, photo-booths etc – all a load of stuff that just costs money!

If you’re looking for recommendations I would thoroughly recommend our band and photographer who were both incredible – PM me if you want any details.

[highland_scot]

Thanks all for the congratulations. I hadn't quite appreciated from the previous discussions on here just how dire wedding fairs are - Mrs H-S to be has now been told that "it might be lovely for you to go to some with your bridesmaids so that you can look at dresses and makeup without me..."

Last one I went to I ended up blethering for half an hour with the guy from John Lewis who also clearly didn't seem enthralled by the whole concept.

Unfortunately the wedding will clash with the Lions tour, but then pretty sure flights to NZ, tickets and accommodation for a few weeks would still be cheaper... On the plus side, our venue is in the New Town so FES can come along and buy a round of Bollinger!

Mrs H-S unfortunately does not approve of my frequenting a forum, she pretty much wet herself laughing.

Jeezo you have my sympathies.  We went to the Corn Exchange one a week after getting engaged and it was terrifying – people not appreciating that a week after getting engaged we hadn’t considered what flowers we wanted, if we wanted to arrive in a Jaguar and how much we want to spend on stationary.

I only went to one further one after that but luckily Mrs RDW hated them as much as I did!

It’s not as if you get much free stuff either – a tiny piece of cake if you’re lucky.

You’ll also quickly realise that the majority of stuff on show at these events you don’t actually need.  We made loads of things ourselves and even got Mrs RDW’s brother’s friend to drive her to the venue in his Lotus! Harpists, ice sculptures, mobile casinos, photo-booths etc – all a load of stuff that just costs money!

If you’re looking for recommendations I would thoroughly recommend our band and photographer who were both incredible – PM me if you want any details.

Well, I strategically proposed the day before the Corn Exchange one, and had booked a night away, so unfortunately we couldn't go...

We went to one where we were told just how good it would be to have a wedding car, even if we were both staying in the venue, so that we could get taken for a 20 minute drive around the middle of Edinburgh to get some peace and quiet! For £500 I think not... I have colleagues/bosses with nice cars who could do it if need be, for the sum of a bottle of whisky anyway. After saying that our wedding is next summer, some flower and stationery people asked what colour scheme we wanted - who knows? The other one I can't fathom is chair covers. Who even knew they were a thing?!

With you on the ice sculptures etc., we've already decided to do our own centrepieces and sweet table. We had a photobooth sorted as somebody's boyfriend has one but they very selfishly broke up!

Will drop a PM though - looking at photographers at the mo!

[IanBru]

I love the way perceptions of photobooths at weddings have changed over the years. I remember a Not The Nine O'Clock News sketch, of a  couple having their photo taken. The shot slowly pans out to show it's actually a photo booth, with Rowan Atkinson in a kilt saying (with a rather good Edinburgh accent), "Could we have the bride's parents now please?"

Now the photobooth is an unmissable part of trendy wedding fare!

[RDW]

Feck me I’d forgotten about chair covers - £6 for the cover and £1.50  for the wee tie thing round it – per chair!! Plus Vat.

So for a reasonable sized wedding that’s £1000 to make your chairs look slightly prettier.

Luckily my venue had nice chairs!

I’m really not a fan of photobooths – they have been done to death a bit lately.  Everyone is all enthusiastic at the start then they realise that they just end up with the same ‘silly’ photos as everyone else – look how funny it is that I’m wearing a sombrero and got over large sun glasees on and am sticking my tongue out and am in a headlock from wee davey Bwa hahaha.  The pictures are all then thrown out and forgotten about until the next wedding rolls along. Bah humbug!

We had a polaroid camera in lieu of a photobooth – lucky there were no ‘up kilt’ shots taken!

[highland_scot]

Our only prerequisite for the venue was that they have decent drinks at the bar, and provide (at least) half a bottle of wine per head with dinner as standard. The number of venues that only give you 1 or 2 glasses is ridiculous!

[RDW]

It's not all doom and gloom being a bloke when it comes to wedding planning - our menu 'tasting' was an absolute highlight of the whole build up.

6 canapes, 2 starters, 2 mains, 2 deserts - EACH!! I basically had a 6 course dinner.

It was incredible. Especially given the two bottles of wine and bottle of prosecco that was involved too!

Also, go to as many cake tastings as you can, even if you have already decided who you are going with - free cake!

p.s. I very much hope Jimbo is enjoying all this wedding chat. I know how much he likes it!

[IanBru]

Sorry to rain on the wedding chat, but it's just been announced on the Glasgow Twitter account that James Eddie is retiring.

What can you say? A great club man, a versatile and humble player who worked hard. That try at Ravenhill - the walls at Waxy's were about to melt. Utter pandemonium.

Damn.

[funnyExiledScot]

Sorry to rain on the wedding chat, but it's just been announced on the Glasgow Twitter account that James Eddie is retiring.

What can you say? Damn.

This is a dark day indeed. I hope the iron mongers of Glasgow are already stealing iron from various places to work on the statue at Scotstoun.

The epitaph: He Tried.

[funnyExiledScot]

Thanks all for the congratulations. I hadn't quite appreciated from the previous discussions on here just how dire wedding fairs are - Mrs H-S to be has now been told that "it might be lovely for you to go to some with your bridesmaids so that you can look at dresses and makeup without me..."

Last one I went to I ended up blethering for half an hour with the guy from John Lewis who also clearly didn't seem enthralled by the whole concept.

Unfortunately the wedding will clash with the Lions tour, but then pretty sure flights to NZ, tickets and accommodation for a few weeks would still be cheaper... On the plus side, our venue is in the New Town so FES can come along and buy a round of Bollinger!

Mrs H-S unfortunately does not approve of my frequenting a forum, she pretty much wet herself laughing.

That is a very kind offer indeed, but I'd rather drink decent champagne. Bolly is for spraying.

[Hazel Sapling]

Sad to see Eddie go. He gave it all on the field and was always worth his salt. With Hall, Kalman, Kellock and Eddie all disappearing, there is a need for guys to carry the culture forward like Harley, Wilson, Murchie and Fusaro.

Also did anyone know there was a biopic of Stephen Donald called "The Kick"? All about what led to the moment he kicked the winner in the 2011 RWC. Apparently a former Glasgow player, Joe Naufahu, starred as Mils Muliana. He has also played a minor recurring Gladiator in Spartacus and is in GOT season 6 as Khal Moro. Amazing what lunchtime wiki leads you to.

[funnyExiledScot]

They made a film about Stephen Donald?? How did that one get past proof of concept?

[funnyExiledScot]

Some other ideas for rugby films on the same theme:

Desperate Dan - "The Saloon Door": a biopic charting the rise of mediocrity in Scottish rugby. Starring Robson Green with a dreadful Aussie accent.

The Ruck Inspector - "Words Speak Louder Than Actions": a look at a man with Macavity like qualities when it came to delivering on the field. Starring Richard Kiel with voiceover from Robbie Coltrane.

Copyright. fES.

[George Carlin]

Thanks all for the congratulations. I hadn't quite appreciated from the previous discussions on here just how dire wedding fairs are - Mrs H-S to be has now been told that "it might be lovely for you to go to some with your bridesmaids so that you can look at dresses and makeup without me..."

Last one I went to I ended up blethering for half an hour with the guy from John Lewis who also clearly didn't seem enthralled by the whole concept.

Unfortunately the wedding will clash with the Lions tour, but then pretty sure flights to NZ, tickets and accommodation for a few weeks would still be cheaper... On the plus side, our venue is in the New Town so FES can come along and buy a round of Bollinger!

Mrs H-S unfortunately does not approve of my frequenting a forum, she pretty much wet herself laughing.

Jeezo you have my sympathies.  We went to the Corn Exchange one a week after getting engaged and it was terrifying – people not appreciating that a week after getting engaged we hadn’t considered what flowers we wanted, if we wanted to arrive in a Jaguar and how much we want to spend on stationary.

I only went to one further one after that but luckily Mrs RDW hated them as much as I did!

It’s not as if you get much free stuff either – a tiny piece of cake if you’re lucky.

You’ll also quickly realise that the majority of stuff on show at these events you don’t actually need.  We made loads of things ourselves and even got Mrs RDW’s brother’s friend to drive her to the venue in his Lotus! Harpists, ice sculptures, mobile casinos, photo-booths etc – all a load of stuff that just costs money!

If you’re looking for recommendations I would thoroughly recommend our band and photographer who were both incredible – PM me if you want any details.

Well, I strategically proposed the day before the Corn Exchange one, and had booked a night away, so unfortunately we couldn't go...

We went to one where we were told just how good it would be to have a wedding car, even if we were both staying in the venue, so that we could get taken for a 20 minute drive around the middle of Edinburgh to get some peace and quiet! For £500 I think not... I have colleagues/bosses with nice cars who could do it if need be, for the sum of a bottle of whisky anyway. After saying that our wedding is next summer, some flower and stationery people asked what colour scheme we wanted - who knows? The other one I can't fathom is chair covers. Who even knew they were a thing?!

With you on the ice sculptures etc., we've already decided to do our own centrepieces and sweet table. We had a photobooth sorted as somebody's boyfriend has one but they very selfishly broke up!

Will drop a PM though - looking at photographers at the mo!

Highland - just to be clear about a few things:

1. You may believe that you are contributing to the general decision making on Important Items. You are not. She has already decided what she wants. Your job is to nod like a clinical psychiatrist and write the cheques.

2. If you haven't yet, when you're asked whether you want your wedding band to be gold or platinum, have an answer ready. "I couldn't give a cr@p" is, from experience, not a 'constructive answer'. Also, if you don't plan to wear a wedding ring, get a good answer ready in advance when her family grill you as to why. No, really.

3. Your realm is the honeymoon. This is a Good Thing. My advice - get the feck out of Dodge and go somewhere where you will do nothing, in peace and quiet, with amazing food and drink and where absolutely no family members are able to follow you. When the whole jamoboree is over, you will just want to do nothing. If you always felt like going to a massive resort where you don't need to worry about anything, but were too embarrassed, now is the time.

[RDW]

Thanks all for the congratulations. I hadn't quite appreciated from the previous discussions on here just how dire wedding fairs are - Mrs H-S to be has now been told that "it might be lovely for you to go to some with your bridesmaids so that you can look at dresses and makeup without me..."

Last one I went to I ended up blethering for half an hour with the guy from John Lewis who also clearly didn't seem enthralled by the whole concept.

Unfortunately the wedding will clash with the Lions tour, but then pretty sure flights to NZ, tickets and accommodation for a few weeks would still be cheaper... On the plus side, our venue is in the New Town so FES can come along and buy a round of Bollinger!

Mrs H-S unfortunately does not approve of my frequenting a forum, she pretty much wet herself laughing.

Jeezo you have my sympathies.  We went to the Corn Exchange one a week after getting engaged and it was terrifying – people not appreciating that a week after getting engaged we hadn’t considered what flowers we wanted, if we wanted to arrive in a Jaguar and how much we want to spend on stationary.

I only went to one further one after that but luckily Mrs RDW hated them as much as I did!

It’s not as if you get much free stuff either – a tiny piece of cake if you’re lucky.

You’ll also quickly realise that the majority of stuff on show at these events you don’t actually need.  We made loads of things ourselves and even got Mrs RDW’s brother’s friend to drive her to the venue in his Lotus! Harpists, ice sculptures, mobile casinos, photo-booths etc – all a load of stuff that just costs money!

If you’re looking for recommendations I would thoroughly recommend our band and photographer who were both incredible – PM me if you want any details.

Well, I strategically proposed the day before the Corn Exchange one, and had booked a night away, so unfortunately we couldn't go...

We went to one where we were told just how good it would be to have a wedding car, even if we were both staying in the venue, so that we could get taken for a 20 minute drive around the middle of Edinburgh to get some peace and quiet! For £500 I think not... I have colleagues/bosses with nice cars who could do it if need be, for the sum of a bottle of whisky anyway. After saying that our wedding is next summer, some flower and stationery people asked what colour scheme we wanted - who knows? The other one I can't fathom is chair covers. Who even knew they were a thing?!

With you on the ice sculptures etc., we've already decided to do our own centrepieces and sweet table. We had a photobooth sorted as somebody's boyfriend has one but they very selfishly broke up!

Will drop a PM though - looking at photographers at the mo!

Highland - just to be clear about a few things:

1. You may believe that you are contributing to the general decision making on Important Items. You are not. She has already decided what she wants. Your job is to nod like a clinical psychiatrist and write the cheques.

2. If you haven't yet, when you're asked whether you want your wedding band to be gold or platinum, have an answer ready. "I couldn't give a cr@p" is, from experience, not a 'constructive answer'. Also, if you don't plan to wear a wedding ring, get a good answer ready in advance when her family grill you as to why. No, really.

3. Your realm is the honeymoon. This is a Good Thing. My advice - get the feck out of Dodge and go somewhere where you will do nothing, in peace and quiet, with amazing food and drink and where absolutely no family members are able to follow you. When the whole jamoboree is over, you will just want to do nothing. If you always felt like going to a massive resort where you don't need to worry about anything, but were too embarrassed, now is the time.

Just to add to GC's points:

1 - Completely agree

2 - I really didn't care and ended up going for a titanium ring - it looks pretty good and only cost £65.  For the width of ring that didn't look stupid on my finger a platinum would have been £1200, palladium £650!

3 - If you already have a house and lots of stuff for it, you can't go wrong with a honeymoon fund! We did and we're going to the USA and Canada later in the year. Some of the older generation don't approve of such a thing but who cares about them eh! We went on a 'mini-moon' to London straight after as it would have been a bit of an anti-climax going home the day after.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Went there with my better half (now fiancé now I mention it - didn't say on here!) and her parents a couple of months back. They were very sceptical as we passed the International Beer and Vodka Bar and the Rose Street Sauna, but ended up pleasantly surprised!

Congratulations mate.

Just draw a line in the sand now, whenever you have an argument with Mrs Highland Scot to be you are wrong. No ifs and no buts you are wrong.

Also stand by to take the blame for her mistakes and incompetence. If Mrs Highland Scot decides to hang the washing out despite having seen Judith Ralston in her full cougar blouse state on numerous occasions that its going to rain and you decide to go to Asda or Tesco just be ready to assume full responsibility for the soaking garments when you get home.

[Eejit]

Without meaning to turn this thread into Brides Magazine, I'm getting married in a few weeks as well and as RDW said setting up the honeymoon fund was a great idea. We've managed to raise all our spending money as well as pay down some of the initial costs. Very helpful if you already own the entire kitchen section from the John Lewis catalogue.

Agree that some of the older crowd don't quite get it.

[MacKnocked-on]

Naka confirmed as leaving Glasgow at the end of the season, joining an ,as yet unnamed, French club.
Shame to lose a great player but not unexpected.

[RDW]

Without meaning to turn this thread into Brides Magazine, I'm getting married in a few weeks as well and as RDW said setting up the honeymoon fund was a great idea. We've managed to raise all our spending money as well as pay down some of the initial costs. Very helpful if you already own the entire kitchen section from the John Lewis catalogue.

Agree that some of the older crowd don't quite get it.

Congrats to you too - I hope you have a great day!

[funnyExiledScot]

What's happened to this place??

P.S. Some sound advice from GC and RDW. Nothing to add really, other than to hold off on the booze on the day until after your speech. I learned that one the hard way.

[highland_scot]

Without meaning to turn this thread into Brides Magazine, I'm getting married in a few weeks as well and as RDW said setting up the honeymoon fund was a great idea. We've managed to raise all our spending money as well as pay down some of the initial costs. Very helpful if you already own the entire kitchen section from the John Lewis catalogue.

Agree that some of the older crowd don't quite get it.

Congrats Eejit, hope it's a good day!

Already had discussions about that with parents, who think it's cheeky and rude... But then we have a house, and there's a few things we'd like for it but not really enough to form a full list. I did hear of honeymoon funds where people can buy specific things for you, eg "Champagne at the Eiffel tower - £30", "Flight upgrade outbound - £200". Then people can buy "things" rather than just give money (even though they are just giving you money in effect). Beats what my cousin did, asking for a donation to a cat shelter...

Any suggestions of where is nice in July are welcome - I hear the Caribbean is a bit hurricaney at that time of year...

FES - it's my best man on the booze that I worry about!!

Back to rugby anyway, shame for Glasgow that Naka's leaving but it was pretty inevitable. Maybe he could tell Toonie about some of his mates back home?! Also, what happened to Gilchrist's move to Toulon? Was that a rumour from the same factory as the Hoggy to Ulster ones? Or was there some truth, until Boudjellal realised that even he wouldn't be able to afford the medical insurance?

What do Embra folks think of Tovey - should we try to keep him for next year?

[RDW]

Without meaning to turn this thread into Brides Magazine, I'm getting married in a few weeks as well and as RDW said setting up the honeymoon fund was a great idea. We've managed to raise all our spending money as well as pay down some of the initial costs. Very helpful if you already own the entire kitchen section from the John Lewis catalogue.

Agree that some of the older crowd don't quite get it.

Congrats Eejit, hope it's a good day!

Already had discussions about that with parents, who think it's cheeky and rude... But then we have a house, and there's a few things we'd like for it but not really enough to form a full list. I did hear of honeymoon funds where people can buy specific things for you, eg "Champagne at the Eiffel tower - £30", "Flight upgrade outbound - £200". Then people can buy "things" rather than just give money (even though they are just giving you money in effect). Beats what my cousin did, asking for a donation to a cat shelter...

Any suggestions of where is nice in July are welcome - I hear the Caribbean is a bit hurricaney at that time of year...

FES - it's my best man on the booze that I worry about!!

Back to rugby anyway, shame for Glasgow that Naka's leaving but it was pretty inevitable. Maybe he could tell Toonie about some of his mates back home?! Also, what happened to Gilchrist's move to Toulon? Was that a rumour from the same factory as the Hoggy to Ulster ones? Or was there some truth, until Boudjellal realised that even he wouldn't be able to afford the medical insurance?

What do Embra folks think of Tovey - should we try to keep him for next year?

I would recommend Prezola.com - people think they are buying specific things for your honeymoon (i.e. Empire State Building tickets, Broadway show fund, Basketball game tickets, Mustang Car hire etc) but in reality you are just given the cash value in a big pot of money.

You can also combine it with actual items for those who want to buy a traditional present (we had 6 or 7 things - a Nespresso machine etc)

You can also add charity donations in there if you want.

One of my colleagues is doing a mortgage deposit fund!

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