Roofs

Warrender Park Road, originally Bruntisfield Road, was built to be the main thoroughfare through the new development, the Warrender Park estate, in the late 19th century. This section, west of Marchmont Road to Spottiswoode Street, was built by Galloway and McIntosh between 1881 and 1883. What a sight that must have been as hordes of navvies built these stone walls. Queen Mary drove down Warrender Park Road in 1911. She had been opening the new Bruntsfield Hospital for Woman and Children in Whitehouse Loan, established by Dr Sophia Jex-Blake, one of the first woman doctors. Although the north side of Warrender Park Road was built, in Scottish baronial style, in the late 19th century the south side was later. This area was fields and a cattle holding area till after the start of the 20th century, a bucolic oasis in the middle of a newly urban area. The south side from Marchmont Road to Lauderdale Street was built in the early years of the 20th century in a much, much plainer style. Lauderdale Street was still being built in 1911 when Queen Mary passed by.

Here, in 2011, the builder tells me that the work will be finished and the scaffolding down before Christmas. I guess the roof he is replacing has been there since Queen Mary went past.

Today I swam, went to yoga, ate junk, coped (badly) with the chaos in the flat and ordered my Steve Robinson's. Progress is being made - cornice and mouldings done, colours chosen. I wish it felt more organised though.

Elsewhere, Molly has ignored her new activity centre. She resents the disturbance. She quite likes hiding in the bottom of the book case. I think she's lighter though. That's what happens when you don't eat - note to self .....