Diary of an Edinburgher

By LadyMarchmont

More bus stop ladies. Is this a theme?

Blue skies, with rain promised tomorrow, so I decided to get out early this morning to go up Calton Hill. We always pop up there with visitors but it's usually cold and windy, so we spend a few minutes admiring the view before rushing back to the car.

On one very memorable occasion, the Millenium New Year, I decided that the best place to see the new century in was not with a good band and jolly crowds, but up here. I thought that there would be a crowd, but not a huge crowd, with the same idea. I thought there might be a ceilidh band there, and possibly a hot dog stand and perhaps a small van selling alcoholic drinks, or even better, Hot Chocolate.

But no. There was nothing. Just us, and our two pals who were too polite to beg to go down again. So we stood in the freezing cold, with nothing but darkness all around, and the twinkling lights of everybody having a good time down below. We did see the fireworks, but when they're that far away, you might as well see them on TV. By the fire. With the central heating on. And a hot chocolate...

So, as I said - memorable.

But this morning it was glorious. Warm, no wind and tourists were just flocking up in their droves as I left. I met a woman who could be a relative of mine - my forebears are from a wee island off the coast of Lewis, and so were hers! My Uncle A would have loved to have met her, because he knows every branch of the family tree, and probably would have discovered that we were second cousins several times removed.

Also met a woman and a dog sitting on a bench. My initial thought - to ask to take a photo - was banished after getting into a bit of bother yesterday, but when I came back round I sat down and we had a chinwag. I then told her about blipfoto, and asked if I could take her photo. It seemed churlish to then say that I might not use it, inferring that I might get something better!! Anyway, she's there every morning, so I could get a photo another time.

By this time the fluffy clouds had been almost been replaced by the white fluffy duvet, so the skies weren't as dramatic as I wanted for my blip. Another day.

When I was waiting for the bus home, these ladies were chattering away and laughing in French. No, they were chattering in French and just laughing in universal. One of them was taking a photo of the group, so I offered to take it of all of them, and then asked if I could take one as well. They were happy to pose for me. My French did not extend to explaining about blipfoto, so I didn't, but I did find out they were going to Holyrood Palace. And yes, I'm in the reflection again! This is getting tedious!

Coming home, I was standing up by the driver and saw the car in front of us slow down while three pedestrians ambled across the road. The last of the group, a young man, was really taking his time, and then he turned around and spat on the car!! Can you believe it?

I mis-timed my return, so although it was hot, and I didn't have my hat on, the hooligans school pupils were rampaging round the shop, so, not wanting to be trampled and yelled over, I didn't have my Magnum Classic, sadly.

List of annoying things (contd)

Pedestrians on the road who spit on cars!

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