First full day of the Sundial Conference and it included a trip to see some dials in the city.

I stuck out at lunch to sample a pint or two in the Cask and Barrel.  Wylam Brewery is at Wylam in Northumberland – the home of Parsons, the inventor of the turbine – so they offer Wylam Turbina.  Highland brewery had Orkney Best, badged as the champion beer of Scotland, 2012.  Also had a half of Billabong, previously sampled in the Craft Beer pub in Brighton.  Its from that Welsh teddy bear brewery, whose name I temporarily forget.  The young barmaid was very knowledgeble about real ales – turns out she moved up to Edinburgh recently to do a brewing degree at Heriot Watt University.

Made my way to Heriot School – one of many private schools in the city – but was too early, so found time to pop intoa bar called Doctors for a half of Fyne Brewery Jarl Ale.  Only had good beers from that brewery so far.

Waiting for my conference colleagues to arrive I read two notices outside the school gates.

A long history, mainly as school for boys

It may take girls, but still doesn’t know about staffing rather than manning

The school was set up through the will of George Heriot, who was a wealthy goldsmith and banker to a king, and this earned him the name Jinglin’ Geordie.  Must have like sundials because there are 22 on and around the school.

There is a statue of him high over the inner quad (where a notice proudly announces their Eco-School status – a passing reference to an earlier career, Rob Stephenson – author of Eco-Schools).

Our man has cherubs above him, but I am uncertain that the hand gesture is appropriate for a school.

How many fingers?

Even higher is a clock and a sundial – can you see why its British Summer Time – the dial and clock are an hour different.

OK, it may not be easy to see that.

We walked tothe National Museum of Science, to visit several dials inside and one on the wall outside.  Then onto the Royal Mile to see two more dials before entering the Holyrood palace to see a multifaced dial on a lawn where maybe we should not have been.

The dial is high on the right, the keep off the grass sign rather lower.

On the way out of the palace we pass a strangely zombie-esque statue, of unknown origin, the notice said.

Onto the coach and back to our rooms before boarding another coach for trip to the Playfair library for our grand dinner.

Here we are – you might see me raising a glass to Jackie and the camera

I have watched the Cask and Barrel being built, discounting in my mind that it would take months and months so wasn’t paying THAT close attention. However, as I left the office on this sunny afternoon, which also happens to be my last day of work before vacation,  I noticed this welcoming and colourful sandwich board sign, and said to myself…. “hellooooooo” what have me here?

I did a quick re-direction and was immediately welcomed by staff and patrons alike. How can one resist? I was given a quick tour by Susan (memories of Stella from Coronation Street – that’s a compliment for those not familiar with the show), given a seat at the bar, placed my order for a draught and settled in like I have been going to this place for decades.

I thought the place was to open as a whisky bar, being competition for my beloved Bothy, but turns out this place is not restricting themselves and are offering a nice selection of everything. They have a great looking, straightforward menu that will serve both the lunch and after work crowd quite nicely.

Their prices. Well let me tell you about their prices. You might think, being located in a now trendy corner of Edmonton that they will charge huge sums for a glass of wine, but let me tell you this. They sell wine by the 6 oz or 10 oz glass. The 10 oz glass can go as low as $10! $10!!! Susan also said, she will sell you a bottle, and if you can’t finish it, she will cork it and save it for your next visit. Of course, I didn’t believe her at first because I cannot understand who the hell wouldn’t finish a bottle of wine! 

The furnishings are all unique in that some of the light fixtures are recycled salad bowls. Sofas are refreshed from Sutton Place hotel. Bar stools were former wine barrels, and have been recycled into these gorgeous, comfortable seats by Vinoture, based out of Walla Walla, Washington. It’s a small space, but the layout is welcoming, cozy, but not crowded.

Today was a soft opening, tomorrow and Saturday being the official Grand Opening. This space is attracting a lot of attention, and already has forged a loyal following.

I made new friends in my short introduction, and look forward to my next visit.

Cask & Barrel
10041 104 St
Edmonton, AB
(780) 239-7899