Noise! Dust!

Last night we spent the whole evening rolling up the new carpets, moving stuff into the back room, and sealing up the doors. For the brick wall is being cut as we speak! And there will be a LOT of dust.

I thought we were pretty tricky, cutting up plastic rubbish bags and taping them together to make a curtain over the doors that we will need access to. The other doors have just been taped up.

Of course, in the middle of the night, I realised I had taped my coat carefully into one of the cupboards! Duh! So I had to rescue it this morning. Then, as I was leaving (at 8am) I couldn't find my hat. Luckily it's not as cold as it has been, but I have been tempted in one of these Tartan Tat shops. Could I wear a woolly bunnet with SCOTLAND emblazoned on the front? I may well have to.

I also forgot Z's keys - I could go over there and spend the day peacefully. But no, I am very thankful to Richard Branson and his Club. I can sit here all day - free papers, wifi, coffee, and I am even in time for the morning pastries.

Walked down the beautiful 'Scotsman Steps'. They're all different kinds of marble. These steps used to be a no-go area, and yet they're so handy for getting from the Bridges to the station. However, I was predictably disappointed to find them full of litter, ground in chewing gum, even broken bottles. At the bottom I met two chaps with a hose, who were about to hose them down. I asked how often they did it. One said, 'Once a week,' and the other said, 'Every day.' I do hope that wasn't a day's rubbish! And they need to do it more than once a week, IMHO.

I always like to look at the view of the Old Town from the top of the Princes Mall. It's the subject of our big painting which is still wrapped in bubble wrap. The day that goes up on the wall again we will truly celebrate the new house.

Two women were taking photos of each other. I offered to take one of both of them. Job done, they then insisted that I join them and crowd of others lined up to snap us. They were from Thailand.

So I'm banished from the flat for the day. But hopefully when I go back, there will be a big hole in the wall and most of the dusty bit will be over.

I shall now catch up with everyone from yesterday.

But perhaps another pastry is needed...