House of Flying Scotsmen
It was very dark when we woke up at about 10am. Guess that'll be because we are further north than normal. We wandered into town via a hilltop park where the Nelson Tower monument is and appreciated the view.
At the summit a band of security guards were looking after some metal cans on poles. I asked one what they were up to and it turned out they were keeping people from parking up there as there was to be a torchlight procession through town culminating at the peak where a huge bonfire was waiting to consume a model Viking boat which was going to be dragged through the streets and onto the pile!
That was something to plan the day towards!
We wandered down the hill and towards the new Scottish Parliament building at the end of the Royal Mile. It was agreed that it is an even uglier structure than it looked on the TV when it opened. God only knows who chose that from the scores of designs that were undoubtedly put forward.
From there we wandered up the Royal Mile, stopping in what could be my favourite shop in the world - Plaisir du Chocolat. Mmmm - a tea shop dedicated to all things chocolatey. It just needed Johnny Depp to arrive in his rickety old river boat (which in Chocolat ended up be consumed by fire!) to make it perfect. I had to make do with The Other Half instead. He insisted on having a dry old biscuit with his drink and then ate half of my dreamy chocolate cake.
The buildings along the mile are beautiful. Oldy and woldy. My favourite had little turrets built on to the sides of a granite tower.
We made it to the castle at the end with only one purchase - a cashmere jumper for TOH.
As dusk fell, we headed back to the flat for food before heading back up the hill to watch the Viking procession arrive. We had spotted a troop of Vikings ar-arrring in town during the day by the sacrificial boat. The whole town must have joined them for the march as about a mile of torchlights could be seen weaving their way through the streets and up the peak. Bagpipes and samba bands accompanied them.
The bonfire was quite impressive. By the time the boat caught light the wind was so strong that I feared the sparks flying off the fire were going to burn someone or something. But it was also a very damp night so Edinburgh was safe from the flames.
As we headed back to the flat to pick up the car, a stunning display of fireworks went off. I expect the New Year's Eve ones will be even better.
We went to the cinema to watch House Of Flying Daggers. It is a beautiful film to watch - the scenery, the costumes and the actors. The story was adequate.
At least it took my mind of the 100,000 people who died at the weekend, and presumably still counting. Like so often when the news is full of death and destruction, it's easy for us to think of something else.
At the summit a band of security guards were looking after some metal cans on poles. I asked one what they were up to and it turned out they were keeping people from parking up there as there was to be a torchlight procession through town culminating at the peak where a huge bonfire was waiting to consume a model Viking boat which was going to be dragged through the streets and onto the pile!
That was something to plan the day towards!
We wandered down the hill and towards the new Scottish Parliament building at the end of the Royal Mile. It was agreed that it is an even uglier structure than it looked on the TV when it opened. God only knows who chose that from the scores of designs that were undoubtedly put forward.
From there we wandered up the Royal Mile, stopping in what could be my favourite shop in the world - Plaisir du Chocolat. Mmmm - a tea shop dedicated to all things chocolatey. It just needed Johnny Depp to arrive in his rickety old river boat (which in Chocolat ended up be consumed by fire!) to make it perfect. I had to make do with The Other Half instead. He insisted on having a dry old biscuit with his drink and then ate half of my dreamy chocolate cake.
The buildings along the mile are beautiful. Oldy and woldy. My favourite had little turrets built on to the sides of a granite tower.
We made it to the castle at the end with only one purchase - a cashmere jumper for TOH.
As dusk fell, we headed back to the flat for food before heading back up the hill to watch the Viking procession arrive. We had spotted a troop of Vikings ar-arrring in town during the day by the sacrificial boat. The whole town must have joined them for the march as about a mile of torchlights could be seen weaving their way through the streets and up the peak. Bagpipes and samba bands accompanied them.
The bonfire was quite impressive. By the time the boat caught light the wind was so strong that I feared the sparks flying off the fire were going to burn someone or something. But it was also a very damp night so Edinburgh was safe from the flames.
As we headed back to the flat to pick up the car, a stunning display of fireworks went off. I expect the New Year's Eve ones will be even better.
We went to the cinema to watch House Of Flying Daggers. It is a beautiful film to watch - the scenery, the costumes and the actors. The story was adequate.
At least it took my mind of the 100,000 people who died at the weekend, and presumably still counting. Like so often when the news is full of death and destruction, it's easy for us to think of something else.
posted by The WyeBird @ 8:41 pm
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