Day 75: Out Of The Mist (Edinburgh)

Today Pin and I took the train to Edinburgh.  It was the first time I've done so from Airdrie on the 'new line'.  We made it just in time and got settled for the journey, while I wrote my morning pages and Pin scribbled away in her little notebook.  After a few stops I glanced out the window and pointed out to Pin that the fog was coming in, as I've said before, not on little cat feet but on heavy tiger paws. It covered everything.  The dark ground contrasted with the white, misty sky (it feels strange to call it 'sky' when it's completely obscured, really); and the trees were just a vague suggestion rather than defined, stand-alone items.  It was the kind of fog that hangs around all day - not just an early morning mist that is whisked away and by the afternoon you're walking in bright sunshine and feeling like you're in a new country, but the deep, heavy fog that is weighed down by its troubles and wants to bring you down, too.

We resisted, though, and enjoyed thoroughly our walk through the gardens near Princes Street - eschewing the roads filled with businessmen and those intent on their purpose, harried-looking mothers with prams, giggling teenagers, and lost tourists.  We did run into two lost tourists who asked us in a slight accent how to get to the Castle.

"Well, it's right there," I said, pointing to what looked like to them, absolutely nothing.  "I assure you it is there, and the easiest way to get there is to walk to the next traffic lights, turn right, and wind your way up the road until the Castle is on your right."

They stared at me.  "But can't we just - " one of the girls gestured vaguely towards what I had proclaimed WAS a Castle, clearly doubting my word - "go up that way?"

I tried not to laugh.  "Well, you'd need good rock climbing equipment, and I'll tell you - there are many armies who tried it and weren't successful, so I wouldn't suggest it."

They just stared at me.

"Really, you're better going this way," I pointed, and explained again clearly which way to go. 

They thanked me, but I had the feeling that it was the kind of thanks that you give when you either don't believe or don't like the advice you've been given and decide you'll wait till the first person you asked is out of sight so you can go up to another and get a second opinion.

Pin and I carried on, enjoying the mist and the fog and the general lack of other human beings around - everything was so quiet and the world seemed stopped in time as we passed through the gardens.

Up close, water droplets sparkled on the trees; tiny buds are beginning to form, the hope of spring in miniature; and the colours were an odd combination of grey, silver, and green.  We came up the other end and found the Starbucks we were seeking, and as we did, I saw one of the lost tourists coming out.  (I recognised her by the leopard-print fake Ugg boots.)

"They decided to get a second opinion," I said sadly to Pin, shaking my head.

"Maybe they only needed coffee for the journey," she suggested hopefully.

We wish you the best, lost tourists!

Walk length: 45 minutes

Day 56: Everything Stops For Tea!

Went into Glasgow today for my British passport interview.  Had no idea what that was going to involve, turns out there were loads of questions about my application (many of which I stumbled over because I had had to look up the answers myself when writing it!), but I imagine they expect that people don't know all those answers from memory anyway.  Hopefully get my new passport in about a week.  At any rate, after the interview I stumbled across this beautiful little tea-shop tucked into a corner of Buchanan Galleries.  It's called Brewhaha and has these 50's drawings all over the wall, and happy little tables with comfortable and beautiful chairs.  (The tables really are happy - they just look contented to be there.)  I ordered a jasmine green tea and sat writing and thinking and resting and just generally enjoying some me time.  There are statements painted on the wall like "Everything stops for tea!" and I couldn't agree more.  I had plenty of errands to run but for the moment time just took a break and so did I.  It was very enjoyable. 

A lot of walking today - dropped the car off at the garage to get a puncture sorted, and then walked from there to the train station; then walking here and there in Glasgow, and then back to my flat.  I'll need to walk back to the garage later as well.  Again, just rejoicing in the fact that although a little tired, I'm holding up quite well with a good bit more walking than I used to do.  It did help that the sun was showing face today (a little shamefaced, I must say, and rightly so!), but still sharply cold -  I never took off my  hat and scarf, not even during the interview!  (I was a little surprised...I mean I could have just had a wig or even false head on under that hat for all they knew!)

Glasgow was its own inimitable self - a man in full Indian (or should I say, Native American) garb playing some kind of windpipes...a noble statue with an orange and white traffic cone on its head...the sun sparkling off the windows of tall buildings...people hurrying, hurrying...people doing nothing....people stopping in the middle of the walkway for no reason, or to check their phone...so many people on their phones...a building under construction that was wrapped entirely in blue, like a birthday present...people talking...snatches of conversation and snatches of many swear words...frustrated people, happy people, bored people, people who seem to be dead inside....friendly shopkeepers....a helpful security guard who noticed me trying to find a shop and helped me out...and me, winding my way amongst it all and being part of someone else's scenery. 

Took the train home, having to remember to actually get off in Airdrie now that the train goes all the way to Edinburgh.  Still haven't taken the Airdrie-Edinburgh line yet, but it's on my list! 

Walk length:  1.25 hours +