tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/MokoFeed2009-11-21T09:24:13+01:00tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-11-16:/2009/11/16/fawlty-tours-7387123/Tryd20082009-11-16T19:20:12+01:002009-11-16T19:20:12+01:00 <p>Hello,<br> I should start calling my boss Basil Fawlty. He has recently employed Europeans (North Americans have been sent home by the Government - no new visas) who haven't got a great grasp of English. One girl, Maria from Spain, is learning the language but is yet to grasp the information to describe the company to a tourist. Another is called Manuel who is disappointingly not from Barcelona but from Switzerland. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>St Margaret got her revenge today. I was up at the castle and banged my head trying to get into Edinburgh’s oldest building. <img src="/img/smilies/graydead.gif" alt="XX(" class="middle" border="0"> I can see the headlines now <em>"History tour guide injured by oldest building"</em> It only hurts when I laugh. Strangely enough, I do take the piss out of this building when I do my tours - telling people that if your name is Margaret in Scotland you can join the chivalric order and clean the place up. St Margaret got her revenge. Cow. </p> <p>R. Voice. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/11/16/fawlty-tours-7387123/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-11-10:/2009/11/10/having-a-recess-7344909/Tryd20082009-11-10T15:15:58+01:002009-11-10T15:15:58+01:00 <p>Hi,<br> I was listening to the radio the other day and there was a quick newscast. One of the topics was how things are getting along in the recession. Edinburgh and its tourist industry, i.e. where I am now, was the example of things going well. West Wales and the manufacturing industry i.e. where I have come from, was an example of things going badly. I could only sit and reflect on how important it is to be in the right place at the right time. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/11/10/having-a-recess-7344909/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-10-27:/2009/10/27/blog-fast-7252784/Tryd20082009-10-27T12:38:20+01:002009-10-27T12:38:20+01:00 <p>Hello,<br> Being a busy bee I was given this link to a website to help write BLOGS. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" class="middle" border="0"> I will certainly start using these methods and if it helps any of you then all the better:</p> <p><a href="http://www.copyblogger.com/write-article-fast/">http://www.copyblogger.com/write-article-fast/</a></p> <p>I saw a car crash on Sunday. Waiting at the traffic lights I was suddenly passed by a blue sports car with an out-of-control rev. I heard a quick pop, followed by the said car losing control and careering into a shop. At the scene the car was trashed, and I was being talked to by an old lady who said "<em>Poor lad must be so embarrassed everyone staring at him</em>" and "<em>Here's the bus were off to Church</em>!” A bizarre scene!<br> <img src="/img/smilies/icon_confused.gif" alt=":-/" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/10/27/blog-fast-7252784/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-10-18:/2009/10/18/back-online-again-7196366/Tryd20082009-10-18T20:32:36+02:002009-10-18T20:32:36+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> I've been with out t'net for a week and what a strange experience that was. I found that I was able to breathe without having to check my e-mail everyday, or check what people were doing on Facebook <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0">. </p> <p>It was nice to have a break. I would have eventually bought some quill pen and ink including that wax stuff and signature ring, writing to Mamaa about the rudimentary of Edinburgh Town. Thankfully 02 broadband was sorted out before I even bought a typewriter. </p> <p>I promised myself that I would no longer waste time on the net and use the tool with discipline. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/10/18/back-online-again-7196366/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-09-27:/2009/09/27/good-king-wenceslessass-7049921/Tryd20082009-09-27T17:43:55+02:002009-09-27T17:43:55+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> Or should I say Merry Christmas? Too early? Not for some people. I will admit that many companies compete over Xmas events which mean getting to people first early on in the autumn. Fine. However, Lidl have already put out their Christmas stuff much to the alarm of their employees. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I did, however, get this wrong the other day. Sainsbury’s had a pamphlet which suggested "Now is the time to start your cake to be ready for Christmas” - which upset me and I complained at the right desk. But, according to someone in work, it takes three months to bathe Crimbo cake in alcohol so it’s at its best! I stand corrected. </p> <p>Remember, remember its not even the 5th of November. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/09/27/good-king-wenceslessass-7049921/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-09-19:/2009/09/19/royal-mile-vox-pop-6998150/Tryd20082009-09-19T20:15:17+02:002009-09-19T20:15:17+02:00 <p>Hello,</p> <p> Man comes up to me and I hand him a flyer, after reading it he says:<br> "I have memorised the information in my head (taps right temple) - no point wasting any (flyers)" and hands it back to me before walking off. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>After telling tourists about spitting on the Heart of Midlothian for good luck, a chap from Cornwall says; "They will be closing it down soon with the Swine Flu!"</p> <p>During my Mary Queen of Scots tour a small boy decides to dance through the group, and then sing opera style about 50 meters away. The group are in hysterics while I try to remain composed. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/09/19/royal-mile-vox-pop-6998150/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-09-17:/2009/09/17/dan-brown-and-the-lost-symbol-6986212/Tryd20082009-09-17T20:41:04+02:002009-09-17T20:41:04+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> I am reading the new Dan Brown Book "The Lost Symbol" - so far so good and the formula never changes - secrets organisations, lone villain <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wth.gif" alt="|-|" class="middle" border="0">, symbols! Ancient secrets! However, Brown is skilled in making a book read like a film which is great entertainment. </p> <p>My attempt to buy the book turned into a mystery - I forgot my wallet when I went to collect my reserved copy, and when I later returned I was told I was at the wrong branch! My reserve had been made at the opposite end of Princes Street which is a half mile walk! Could a secret society been trying to prevent me from reading secret stuff <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"> - or had I been working too hard and needed a day off...</p> <p>I had a day off and now feeling better! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"> Or was I kidnapped and...</p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/09/17/dan-brown-and-the-lost-symbol-6986212/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-09-12:/2009/09/13/the-danger-of-labelling-6951119/Tryd20082009-09-13T00:05:22+02:002009-09-13T00:05:22+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> SMALL FOREIGN women sitting on the pavements of Edinburgh, in some strange posture while begging, is becoming a common sight here. When I saw one woman in such a state at one end of Princes Street, then saw an almost identical copy on the other end I thought "hang on - this looks almost planned - if not...organised?" <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wth.gif" alt="|-|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I did get a shock, however, when one was sitting on the Royal Mile and when I passed she said my name like a rasping witchy-old crow type thing! <em><strong>"Tttttrrrrryyyysssttttaaaannnn"</strong></em> <img src="/img/smilies/graybigeek.gif" alt="88|" class="middle" border="0"> I was, in fact, wearing my company name badge at the time and as soon as I remembered this I calmed down. </p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/09/13/the-danger-of-labelling-6951119/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-09-11:/2009/09/11/loserville-6941061/Tryd20082009-09-11T09:48:48+02:002009-09-11T09:48:48+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> BIG BROTHER is on its way out: yes: and most people will not have heard of or recognise this year’s winner. The usual response to the show is "yes, I enjoyed the first series with Nasty Nick but..." - didn’t we all! </p> <p>My alarm, however, is towards Katy Guest, in The Independent on Sunday, who was cheered when BB winners came from traditional "Loserville" territory; "the gay man, the transsexual, the Tourette's sufferer, the Welsh"! R. Voice covers two of those territories! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Any chance of another BB series? R. Voice also has long ginger hair so ticking three boxes with C4 viewers would put me in for a chance...</p> <p>Of course - it’s the fashion today to do your own show and post it on YouTube! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wth.gif" alt="|-|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/09/11/loserville-6941061/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-09-06:/2009/09/06/royal-mile-vox-pop-6907615/Tryd20082009-09-06T22:38:11+02:002009-09-06T22:38:11+02:00 <p>Man comes up to me and wants to know about the tours </p> <p>"Are you the people who come into the city chambers make a lot of noise and disturb our meetings?"</p> <p>"Yes, that’s us - sorry"</p> <p>"Its ok - its more interesting!"</p> <p>A horse parade in the Royal Mile finishes and people pass me and my walking tours placard:</p> <p>"shouldn’t that be riding tours" or "what about horse tours"</p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/09/06/royal-mile-vox-pop-6907615/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-09-06:/2009/09/06/fringetastic-6907534/Tryd20082009-09-06T22:18:53+02:002009-09-06T22:18:53+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> So much happened in August it is difficult to know where to start. I did on average three tours a day on the Royal Mile through huge crowds of tourists and festival types. I must have seen some of the weirdest things in the world from street performers, zombies, and suffragettes to big fat Americans carrying huge cameras. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Back to "normal" now and I do miss the show <img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0">, but glad to have "my" mile back! I am now reading up about the Highlands, my mission is to travel north sometime and see it all properly. </p> <p>R. Voice. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/09/06/fringetastic-6907534/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-09-03:/2009/09/03/rolls-royce-voice-is-back-6882269/Tryd20082009-09-03T11:30:47+02:002009-09-03T11:30:47+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> Back from the dead <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wth.gif" alt="|-|" class="middle" border="0"> am I, R Voice, or back from the crazy <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"> August Fringe festival. What a month! Three history tours a day through the humongous crowds of Edinburgh. I think I lost a few tourists on the way, and I hope they made it back home safe. </p> <p>A clean slate and my New Year start is here. Any advice or suggestions for the blog are welcome and I hope to build this up nicely to include a few original and innovative pieces. Of course, talk is cheap and typing even cheaper but it's here in black and white. </p> <p>Did anybody attend Edinburgh’s craziness this year? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_question.gif" alt=":?:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/09/03/rolls-royce-voice-is-back-6882269/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-08-07:/2009/08/08/crazy-festival-6675542/Tryd20082009-08-08T00:32:22+02:002009-08-08T00:32:22+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> It’s the Edinburgh Fringe and the Royal Mile now looks like a refugee camp for the planet Wibble. The lottery of acts has already caught my attention - today I saw a wonderful act where various things were balanced on other things, but also an Australian trying to the do the same thing but failing miserably. My experience of this act wasn’t improved by a child next to me pooing itself. I left quickly. </p> <p>I am now going to look out for famous people and get their autograph - haven’t spotted anyone yet and to be honest I wouldn’t know how to ask - "It’s not for me it’s for my sister?"</p> <p>R. Voice.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/08/08/crazy-festival-6675542/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-07-25:/2009/07/25/clan-colours-6587737/Tryd20082009-07-25T21:50:21+02:002009-07-25T21:50:21+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> This weekend is the <em>Gathering</em> - thousands of people of Scottish decent returning to the Homeland. The Parade from Holyrood to the Castle was on this evening. Bagpipes and tartans abound with a great atmosphere. Weird bits included the booing from the crowd of the Clan Campbell (bad reputation), one unfriendly member of the Clan Wallace slyly flipping me the bird when I shouted <strong>"Freedommmm!”</strong> Some unfortunate names included "Strange", while one man carried a board with the word "Wood" and a poor middle aged woman with the word "Young". <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>My own, the clan McNooClan, were not there as we are still trying to get Christopher Lambert to recognise that he is our clan chief. There can be only one.<img src="/img/smilies/graysigh.gif" alt=":**:" class="middle" border="0"> </p> <p>R. Voice. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/07/25/clan-colours-6587737/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-07-25:/2009/07/25/strange-rain-6583679/Tryd20082009-07-25T09:02:36+02:002009-07-25T09:02:36+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> Almost festival time here in Auldest Reekie and so the invasion will begin. The rain is a bit weird though - one minute it’s sunny and dry the next torrential (!) rainfall like someone pulled out Gods bath plug. Climate change anyone? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>The more I learn about Scottish history the more silly the film Braveheart is - Robert the Bruce was about 16 and more worried about his spots than the Saes. Whether he did indeed have Mr Potato Head as a father I haven’t found out yet. </p> <p>For those of you unfamiliar with Edinburgh history, Princes Street gardens in the centre of town used to be a large loch or lake for drowning witches - after yesterday’s weather I found a large pond developing. With rubbish building up in the streets Auld Reekie is making a comeback - black cats and broomsticks! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif" alt=":>" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/07/25/strange-rain-6583679/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-07-16:/2009/07/16/he-who-writes-wins-6527855/Tryd20082009-07-16T17:04:37+02:002009-07-16T17:04:37+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> One small victory for man; one giant leap for R. Voice. OK it’s not Trafalgar, but I have managed to sort out a bee in my bonnet that has been there for weeks. My flat mate decided not to pay his Council Tax - putting me in the shit with the Council. After many a phone call and letter I have now managed to get a Home of Multiple Occupation label on the place making Mr Landlord take the flak. </p> <p>Of course there was much reluctance by anyone to do anything along the way. Its only when the legal threats started popping up such silly people took notice. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Take it easy out there!</p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/07/16/he-who-writes-wins-6527855/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-07-09:/2009/07/09/milk-6481119/Tryd20082009-07-09T21:42:59+02:002009-07-09T21:42:59+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> Just finished watching Milk - the OSCAR winning film about the Californian gay activist of the 1970s Harvey Milk. If you haven’t seen this film then you are missing out. Before I watched the film I thought it would be some kind of sentimental melodrama full of silly cliché. Glad I was wrong as it well paced (I like pace), dramatic and didn’t milk (he he) the real life story too much. Sean Penn is great and thoroughly deserves his OSCAR for best actor. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>After reading about California’s financial crisis I discovered that the anti-gay marriage lobby had spent $75 million to win public opinion. Now that is some expensive bigotry - any economy students out there want to do a thesis on the mental money market? <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/07/09/milk-6481119/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-07-06:/2009/07/06/the-revenge-of-auld-reekie-6459587/Tryd20082009-07-06T15:59:31+02:002009-07-09T21:20:31+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> Edinburgh is returning to its nickname of Auld Reekie (or Old Smelly) which is not good. The council, in its wisdom, decided to mess with the pay of the rubbish collectors just before summer and the busy tourist season. With a strike declared the streets are full of black bags and litter creating a bit of a pong on hot humid days. Of course, Edinburgh council were doing more important things such as improving our transport routes by letting every company have a free for all in digging up the roads. <img src="/img/smilies/grayupset.gif" alt=":##" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I shall now include in my tours the tales of fools who sit in power and lose their brains. </p> <p>Latest: The army will be brought in to clean things up, to quote one person on The Evening News website: "Great, with the Tram works and the Army in town the place really will look like a warzone!!!" <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Latest: Vandals set fire to small refuse hills in an area called Broomhill. Council took days to respond. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/07/06/the-revenge-of-auld-reekie-6459587/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-06-19:/2009/06/19/my-15-min-6344810/Tryd20082009-06-19T20:21:55+02:002009-06-19T20:21:55+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> Yesterday was interesting and today added a bit as well. In the Royal Mile an old woman came up to me and said <em>"we saw you on the telly last night!"</em>, followed closely by a bus driver who said the same thing via sign language <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0">. My boss, unknown to me, had arrived in the office earlier that day cheering that <em>"Trystan had been on the News"</em>. One of my colleagues thought it great fun to tell all my customers that I was a regular TV personality which then took a lot of explaining from yours truly. </p> <p>People, it was 5 seconds and about one sentence. If Ban Ki-Moon and the UN want the rest of my views they are gonna have to start reading blogs. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/06/19/my-15-min-6344810/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-06-19:/2009/06/19/sir-real-day-6340633/Tryd20082009-06-19T09:19:13+02:002009-06-19T09:19:13+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> The Royal Mile in Edinburgh is often quite a strange place and at some point I believed that interesting things would start to happen. Yesterday was exactly that. While standing with my colleague, Oasis were in the bar opposite having a drink, so the pair of us decide to start singing Wonderwall, Supernova etc. There was no comment or contract proposal, however, from the infamous Gallagher brothers. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>A camera crew then appeared a hundred yards away and Andrew bullied me into speaking to them - so I went up and had a chat about Sir Fred Goodwin - this was the BBC news. Later on yesterday R Voice appeared on the national news at 6pm and 10pm (follow the link and go to 19.55) <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00l8512/BBC_News_at_Ten_18_06_2009">http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00l8512/BBC_News_at_Ten_18_06_2009</a> (you might need a download or two to view this). I am the ginger one. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/06/19/sir-real-day-6340633/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-06-15:/2009/06/15/the-lifting-of-the-curse-6311577/Tryd20082009-06-15T22:03:49+02:002009-06-15T22:03:49+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> It seems the spirits of the Royal Mile are quieter these days - must be the weather. At last my tours are moving so I am actually earning money - the shock of which has brought up questions I have never had to deal with before, example: <em>"shall I buy that £500 kilt costume?"</em></p> <p>I do like my standard of tourist (much better than cheapo backpackers <img src="/img/smilies/graylaugh.gif" alt=":))" class="middle" border="0"> and my only obstacle has been a guy from London who wore a cheap black suit, white trainers, one eye pointing in the wrong direction, a keen interest in ghosts and a lack of personal space awareness. He didn’t tip either. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif" alt=":>" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>I am now going to do the Burke and Hare tours with a hope of sleeping well at night...</p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/06/15/the-lifting-of-the-curse-6311577/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-06-04:/2009/06/04/cursed-tour-6238204/Tryd20082009-06-04T19:00:23+02:002009-06-04T19:00:23+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> I am open minded but not particularly superstitious. However, my tour guide work on the Royal Mile is starting to freak me out. Here is the evidence:</p> <p>1) Two people resigned as soon as the business started</p> <p>2) Business has been void except for a few tours</p> <p>3) Signs have been vandalised</p> <p>4) A teenager tried to terrorise me</p> <p>5) Expensive PA equipment bought but not used</p> <p>And today a full tour turned up but nobody to guide them...<img src="/img/smilies/icon_twisted.gif" alt=":>" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/06/04/cursed-tour-6238204/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-05-30:/2009/05/30/thought-of-the-day-6203115/Tryd20082009-05-30T15:29:22+02:002009-05-30T15:29:22+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> Its funny the response you get from people when you are out distributing flyers. The usual responses are "youre good", "I'm good", "thanks!"(but not take the flyer), or raise an odd hand gesture saying no. </p> <p>At least this is better than doing an evening ghost tour. That is when the real strange stuff happens: drunks with a grievence, an old woman with a witch complex. </p> <p>The odd people are out there and tour guiding is the best way to get to meet them. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/05/30/thought-of-the-day-6203115/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-05-16:/2009/05/16/tour-takes-off-6125273/Tryd20082009-05-16T15:33:31+02:002009-05-16T15:33:31+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> R Voice has finally broken the glut in the Edinburgh tours. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> With sure footed advertising, good weather and a tourist season people finally want to walk along the Royal Mile and understand the place a bit more. </p> <p>The Eurovision tonight and it’s been roughly a year since I started blogging! I hope you have all enjoyed my writing, which I hope to expand over the next year and have a new format. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="B)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Good luck to Jade tonight - its tough out there but I think the UK will get back on its feet in the top 10 songs. <img src="/img/smilies/grayembarrassed.gif" alt=")-o" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice (aged 1)</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/05/16/tour-takes-off-6125273/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-05-11:/2009/05/11/the-sun-never-sets-6095611/Tryd20082009-05-11T10:36:46+02:002009-05-11T10:36:46+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> After getting more interested in history I have decided to take a look at the British Empire. When I was in school we did the Industrial Revolution, Welsh history, and Nazi Germany plus a few others. Is the empire taboo? Is it anti-English or anti-British? Most people will probably only know about Michael Cain calling "thousands of 'em". <img src="/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif" alt="8|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>After having to sell the virtues of Edinburgh and its glory days (not something I dispute) it’s important to have a bit of balance. I think the Brits need a bit of balance as well when we judge the US on its imperial adventures. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/05/11/the-sun-never-sets-6095611/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-05-07:/2009/05/07/london-calling-6074652/Tryd20082009-05-07T11:21:21+02:002009-05-07T11:21:21+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> R Voice was at a choral festival last weekend and loved every minute of it. The early May sunshine was great along the Southbank, surrounded by lots of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transsexual) people having a merry time. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>What joy singing. Something I have not done for a long time and my first outing for 10 years. Southbank - what a venue! I had no idea about the place but it has it all. </p> <p>You know when you had a good time when brushes with death include the crazy underground <img src="/img/smilies/icon_crazy.gif" alt=":crazy:" class="middle" border="0">, bed bugs in a cheap hostel and 10.30 closing time fail to diminish the frivolity!</p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/05/07/london-calling-6074652/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-04-28:/2009/04/28/starkey-raving-mad-6022594/Tryd20082009-04-28T13:23:03+02:002009-04-28T13:23:03+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> Oooo rant rant rant - David Starkey has finally, after much effort, joined the ranks of the Celt haters to get some attention. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" class="middle" border="0"> Unfortunately this also ties in with a lot of other celebs who attract attention through behaving badly. The real loser is what they study e.g. Ramsey/Cooking (slipping off the culinary radar), Clarkson/cars, and now Starkey/history. Of course there are people like Attenborough and Delia Smith who are in a different league or different planet in many positive ways. </p> <p>But some mediocre celebs have a thing against the Celts. Why? Its a centuries old prejudice and you probably couldn’t pick on anyone else these days. Fortunately its a bit out of fashion - after Ann Robinson asked "what are the Welsh for?" nobody has said anything original, spontaneous or shocking enough for people to really care about. </p> <p>Of course there will be people who will react but I think its history. </p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/04/28/starkey-raving-mad-6022594/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-04-20:/2009/04/20/the-dark-side-of-edinburgh-5974940/Tryd20082009-04-20T09:53:37+02:002009-04-20T09:53:37+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> Besides being a blogger I am also a tour guide in Edinburgh. Since starting a couple of weeks ago I am amazed by the history of the city which includes a host of names including Sean Connery, JK Rowling, Agatha Christie, Chris Hoy, Sir Fred Goodwin, Mary Queen of Scots and many others. It’s also difficult to get bored of the architecture here as Scottish weather, like Welsh weather, is so changeable you get a constant shift of light. </p> <p>I am also amazed by the stories in the Royal Mile where many a respectable person held a double life, witch burning <img src="/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif" alt=">:-[" class="middle" border="0"> and romantic liaisons. Hollywood is no sub for the real thing even though it’s a few hundred years later. </p> <p>Anyway, if anybody wants a free tour of the Royal Mile I will email you the details. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/04/20/the-dark-side-of-edinburgh-5974940/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-04-11:/2009/04/11/a-burnt-witch-5926819/Tryd20082009-04-11T15:18:21+02:002009-04-11T15:18:21+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> R Voice has a new job and it means walking and talking in the Royal Mile, Edinburgh. This is the old town and quite a nice little tour. However, I was in a central location ready to speak when this woman tour guide stood next to me and started talking first: loudly. </p> <p>ME: "Excuse me?"</p> <p>HER: "I have a licence to be here!" (a lie)</p> <p>ME: "But I was about to....."</p> <p>HER: "I am here five days a week every week"</p> <p>ME: "Embarrassing!"</p> <p>HER: "For you maybe"</p> <p>The little lady was about to speak when I started off - and I have a LOUD voice. She said nothing and waited for me to finish <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"> Brian Blessed be praised. I think that’s one more witch who got burnt in old Edinburgh.</p> <p>R. Voice</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/04/11/a-burnt-witch-5926819/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:rvoice.blog.co.uk,2009-04-05:/2009/04/05/the-grand-nuisance-5893535/Tryd20082009-04-05T13:16:44+02:002009-04-05T13:16:44+02:00 <p>Hello,<br> HORSE RACING is odd. I cant seem to get my head around it. I can understand the science behind it; the training, the diets etc but the event itself seems like a farce. </p> <p>Little people are only eligible which is ok but a tad discriminatory - wouldn’t bigger people let the bigger horse have a go? Little people then whipping away for a mile or two - whip whip whip - and that’s entertainment? Sounds more like a circus freak orgy. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif" alt=">:-[" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>The courses are shaped so simply: the Grand National is a doughnut i.e. motor racing with all the fun bits taken out. The whole thing is then mocked by silly names e.g. Butlers Cabin, Numbersixvalverde, and Comply or Die (whip whip whip!). </p> <p>The Grand National winner crescendos horse racing silliness: The gleaming imp, the tired and confused horse, and the fat owner who is trying their best to keep up i.e. circus freak orgy again. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wth.gif" alt="|-|" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>R. Voice. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://RVoice.blog.co.uk/2009/04/05/the-grand-nuisance-5893535/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>