Pedestrian Bridge

It was with great excitement and a touch of scepticism that we sallied forth to the Craiglockhart Campus of Napier University to arrive at 3.30 prompt for our Flu vaccine. Not that we had an appointment as such, but were asked to attend between 3.30 and 4.30 with anyone else whose surname began with the letters S-U today or tomorrow, failing that the following three weekends.

Armed with plenty of reading matter and empty bladders we anticipated some time waiting, indeed traffic on the narrow approach road was slow. But as we passed the site we were pleased to note that only a few cars were actually queuing, most were attending the gazebo, where it all happened, so were hopeful of a straightforward transaction.

To our great indignation, it transpired that the queue was so short because there was a lorry blocking the entrance and two bods in Hi-viz jackets were turning cars away, with the information that 'the nurses have called it for today' and that we could come another time. 

I wonder what went wrong? Call me a poor organiser, but to invite anyone over 65, those below that age in clinical risk groups, those living with people shielding, pregnant women and unpaid and young carers, all of whichever initial to their surname, and not expect them to turn up at the same time is stark staring bonkers. How many times must we attend, only to be told that since 9am everyone with initials A-R had already used the supply of vaccine? What of those people with initial V-Z, will they ever receive a vaccine? Should I attend under my maiden name, letter C? (Not allowed, unfortunately).

So we drove on a little aimlessly then parked in Morningside, crossed the pedestrian bridge over the South Suburban Railway line and went to the paper shop for the Scotsman calendar to send to Australia. And, anyway, I've a nice supply of elderberry rob to keep the bugs at bay.