Ten Questions

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 11:20

BEN JONES, 34, owns Furniture Medic Lothian. He lives in Broughton

1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? I remember seeing the statue of Greyfriars Bobby on a family holiday when I was ten. When I came to live here 11 years later, I realised Edinburgh had even more to offer.

2 What are your memories of school? I went to Stokesley School in North Yorkshire, had lots of fun, got a few qualifications, made some great friends and met my wife-to-be.

3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? It would have to be our back garden, in the sun, with a beer in one hand and barbecue tongs in the other.

4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? A long list that includes fantastic bars, restaurants and hotels (especially those we work for!), the Fringe festival, the Hogmanay fireworks, the architecture, the parks and the people. Edinburgh is a small city but it has an amazing buzz.

5 What would you change about the city? Nothing – I love it! Although if the tramworks could hurry up, that would be nice. Oh, and easier parking.

6Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out. A leisurely breakfast at the Globe on Henderson Row, followed by a family bike ride with a picnic lunch somewhere, then get back home and in the evening go for dinner at the Tower.

7 Which sports interest you? I love running and cycling through the city, particularly up round Arthur's Seat and the Crags as the sun is setting.

8 What was your most embarrassing moment? My stag do from start to finish. Having to make your way back from Leeds with only your boxer shorts and a train ticket isn't my idea of fun. Although seven years later I can just about see why my friends and family would find this so amusing.

9 What is your greatest achievement? Seven years (and counting) of marriage to my brilliant wife, Jen, passing on 34 years of "wisdom" to my two fantastic kids, Owen and Hannah, and finishing the Caledonian Challenge twice.

10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Small, perfectly formed.