10 July  - Edinburgh

Quiet few days as Stephen still battling some sort of lurgy.  At least timing was good as was planning a quiet week before we headed up to the even farer North. Fortunately also a lot of Wimbledon on TV and we are in the right time zone plus the football is back on and our favourite team - Spain  - has gotten through to the finals.  Also discovered a new show on the BBC called The Turkish Detective.  It's got mixed reviews but I like it.  It is filmed in Istanbul, not in some remote place pretending to be Istanbul so is interesting at the very least seeing the city.  Relieved to see it only has 8 episodes.  

We got caught last time watching something called the Black List that had 218 episodes.  That was a serious commitment and we ridiculously found ourselves staying in to binge watch it.  Not making that mistake again.  Bit disappointed to see the Olympics is only partially on while we are here.  Was hoping to be able to view it during more civilized hours than when back in Australia.  It is sport though so I guess my enthusiasm will wane quickly.

I have finished a book Stephen found called Went to London, Took the Dog by Nina Stibbe.  It is a diary of a 60 year old woman's year in London. Not planning to run away to London for a year especially with a dog but it was quite hilarious. Laugh out loud funny in parts.  

Having just found myself with a fitbit whose sole purpose seems to be to issue instructions to me - particularly that I need to get up and move when all I wanted was for it to tell me the time; I laughed at one of the author's friends who 'accidentally' bought an Apple Watch as she was assisted by a young man who told her it would assist with her notemaking and protect her from death by drowning. "Things became complicated when he started to explain the full range of capabilities".  Sounded like my face at John Lewis when purchasing my fitbit.  Also laughed when the author said "she placed the box on the table containing the new watch but we couldn't work out how to open it without a Stanley knife so we just admired the packaging and asked for the bar menu."   Soon the author's son arrives  "and opened the box with ease." Very relatable.

Have managed to get out a bit.  This is me at the entrance to the Commercial Quays which essentially is the beginning of the bonded warehouses where we reside. They are meant to be fish above me.  Given the warehouses largely stored whiskey I think a bottle may have been more appropriate.

Didn't realise Stephen had taken a photo of me at our last visit a few days ago at the Cafe Royal.  He usually pretends he isn't taking it to try and take me by surprise as I dislike having my photo taken.  There is evidence of us sharing a packet of crisps which is a treat that does go well with beer and cider.

The pretty summer flowers are everywhere now.  The climate, with all its drizzly rain very much suits these displays.

And a nearly cloudless sky in Leith.

We have passed the Summer Solstice I believe so while it is still summer the sun is starting to rise just that little bit later in the morning.  Have noticed that there is no longer a bit of a low light when I am awake at 3am.  Nearly have to turn a light on to wander around.

Random things I will miss:

The excitement people have here when the Sun shines

The optimism wearing T shirts and shorts in freezing weather

The community feel in Leith

Leith Saturday market - the best bread and pastries (and boar sausage rolls although stopped buying them as crazy expensive)

The berries and tomatoes and cheese and bacon - much nicer and flavorsome than at home

Stephen's venison stew - can't get decent venison at home

Cadenheads whisky shop

Stockbridge deli - the best pate

George Bower the butcher and Stephen's excitement when going there to purchase meat

The bookshops

The pubs - so much better than home.  They even welcome female baby boomers in them!

The art galleries - still much better than home

The interesting architecture

Being so close to the Continent

Having to clean only a one bedroom flat

Being in the same time zone as Will and Em

 

Things I won't miss:

The weather

The NHS

The lack of tropical fruit

The pollen

The coffee (admittedly has improved)

Living in a one bedroom flat

Having to wear an eye mask to keep out the sun when trying to get to sleep.

Mmm list seems a bit unbalanced.