Derelict

In a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect:


It doesn't look in a particularly poor condition and from the outside the facade looks ok but look closer and you see the lower windows are boarded up, the upper ones are dirty and shrouded with unkempt curtains and out of shot the entry doors are contained behind steel frames.


This is the heart of historic Edinburgh, the World Heritage site.  A whole block of tenements that have been empty for years pending the redevelopment as part of the Caltongate site.  Further up the hill the rampant buddleia has been removed from the roof of the former Sailor's Ark and round the back there are cranes and scaffolding.  I expect the squirrels have left too. The original developer went bust in the crash and progress was halted until the new owner started work last year. 


I'm not sure what the plans are for these former family homes, overall there will be a hotel and executive apartments and mid market rent accommodation but it's ironic that for the last few years these properties have been lying empty and derelict when within a stone's throw those without homes live in temporary hostel accommodation for month after month after month.


I had a good day today.  Survived the snow, achieved quite a bit in meetings, signed 315 thank you letters to Christmas volunteers, spoke to colleagues and still avoided making decisions about May, and September.


It is cold outside, the red recycling bin went awol yesterday and I struggled with the home scanner.  


But overall a good day with some great video of Olivia giggling her head off and a picture of her enjoying a beer (!) to celebrate her popo's 60th.


Not so good, diet, what diet?