Running Rings?

Athletic poses.

Short on the paint budget?

Carrying a Torch

Anyone who thinks the Olympic Torch has had a lukewarm reception in Scotland is mistaken.

Norman's Picture

 So many people turned out that I couldn't find a vantage point. So I've borrowed Norman's picture. (He was only about 50 yards away)

My picture of the torch

The same street corner 1/2 an hour earlier

Dull - but not Boring

Today was a special day for several reasons: 

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee 

My Birthday

Our First Munro   see Munros

The village of Dull "sistering" with the town of Boring   see Dull and Boring

On our way to our chosen Munro (Schiehallion) we happened to pass said village. It didn't bode well:

OFT Compliance in action

On arrival at base camp the weather was... dull

However we are not ones to grouse - as we reminded by this pair we met on the way:

Grouse - Shot of the Day?

Shiehallion has at least one false summit



 but you can tell the real one because by that stage it looks like the Moon's surface. (There are people on the summit and one on the approach in this picture)

When we got to the summit a kind fellow walker offered to take our picture together

Toby did particularly well on the rock scrabbling as he is profoundly blind.

Around the bend

Snow in June

The way up looking back

Toby

All in all a very memorable day!

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle - The Half Moon Battery

There's no denying the power of Edinburgh Castle

Tattoo Seating from the Grassmarket

Right now preparations are under way for the Military Tattoo. The seating arrangements are like building a stadium on the Esplanade, but they are only there for three months each year.  The buses pass our house each night to drop the performers off and bring them back to barracks each night.

Sometimes it seems the castle is around every corner.  The other day, when it was windy,  there was a workman on the scaffolding up by that flagpole!

Also comes in pink

There's something to be said for mass planting:

The Meadows today

Despite the cold weather we've had that is blossom, not snow on the ground.

Barclay Church

If you try hard you can imagine a rocket taking off from clouds of pink exhaust fumes!

Neglected Portals

There's something about a doorway. Even if,  especially if, it has fallen into disuse.  Here's some of my favourite Edinburgh portals with changed uses :

My personal vote goes to this gateway in Colinton Road:

Just up the road, and probably of more historical significance are the two lions couchant of Merchiston Castle, home to the Napier family and now Napier University. The gateway has been moved from it's original location and is no longer used.

One that is used a lot but looks a bit fragile and neglected is the entrance to Greyfriars Kirk Yard of "Greyfriars Bobby" fame.

Here a recent translocation. The Edinburgh Meat Market moved out to Sauchton and has since moved on again, but the old entrance has been restored  and relocated so as not to impede the "Exchange" development. It looks a bit redundant I would say.

Another very recent development has been the Museum of Scotland.  The steps lead to the old entrance, now nailed shut. The lower ground level entrances take you in conveniently through the museum shop.  Much better for wheelchairs and buggies.



Old Museum Entrance


My last portal is one which has been lovingly restored at the cost of millions. Once again it goes up and down to allow canal boats entry to Lochrin Basin.  Before it was fixed and no longer locked in the down position there used to be a through road across the bridge which was a handy route if you knew it. vehicular access was stopped when the bridge mechanism was restored.

Seven Swans a Swimming

 This is the end of the Union Canal in Edinburgh and the beginning of a redevelopment pushing outward from the financial zone "The Exchange"  via "The Quay" into the suburbs. You will notice all the buildings are new. Now that Scottish and Newcastle have been taken over and moved out of Fountainbridge there is plenty of "brownfield" resource to rebuild on.  Myself,  I prefer my swans live.