Liff

Up to Dundee today for the annual festive gathering of a group of friends who at one point about 25 years ago all lived in Stirling. These days we're all scattered and some so scattered, including in different continents, that it's impossible to all be together. Today though there was a great turn out and WhatsApp is perfect for keeping in touch with absent friends.

Our friend in Dundee lives in the grounds of the former Liff Hospital, the Victorian asylum built, as they were, in green and pleasant surroundings well outside the city. From her window you can see part of the old hospital buildings. So typical of their time and purpose. Looks like Gormenghast but I know from my work on institutional care that they were built with good intentions even if they became thoroughly discredited as places for people to live.

A beautiful day again with gorgeous winter sun. 11degrees too. Extraordinary.