Menorganikul; Edinburgh Botanic Gardens

As mentioned in earlier posts, Aitch got on the train south of the border and came all the way up to Edinburgh for an afternoon shared at the EBG.

We got lucky... the summery weather that had brought the country close to announcing drought conditions had changed over the preceding weekend: indeed, on the Monday before this Tuesday visit, it had poured rain on the Scottish capital and turned really rather chilly once more. However, our day shone bright, very warm, and just perfect for a saunter around some of the park - no way to cover it all in one visit. There will be more trips!

I drove The Grey over from the usual southside park-up by Mac1's place to spend the night on Arboretum Place, by the gardens. It's free overnight, and—for the city—relatively inexpensive parking rates through the day. In the morning, I was able to take my time for ablutions, breakfast, puzzles, and blogs prior to walking around by Inverleith Terrace to the East Gate, where, within five minutes, the bus carrying Aitch arrived. First order of the late morning was a cuppa and a bit of cake! As we sat and enjoyed the sunshine and the very good tea and carrot cake, we assessed the route that would optimise the finding of caches. There is no way Aitch could travel without her GPS unit and cache plotter!!! It turned out there were five to find - but two were on one side of the quite large park and three on the other, so we opted for the three, leaving something for another visit.

The peachy-coloured line is the meander we followed. You can see we only covered about one-third of the garden area. We were in no hurry and took every opportunity to stop and appreciate the bits we did see.

First, we went up around the rockery garden, which is always one of my favourites. It was on this part of the park that we found the dedicated area to those who had experienced transplants. I took the opportunity to remember my late niece, "The Maestro", who underwent a kidney transplant among many other health invasions. I didn't have a stone, so used an ivy leaf. This little haven is where you see Aitch sitting in the first photo above.

From here we sauntered a little uphill to reach the hilltop waterfall - you will see that in action in tomorrow's post, but here is the still shot...

There were further waterways and lots of botanicals - but I am reserving most of those shots for other posts!

The first cache Aitch picked up was at Caledonian Hall. Then we traipsed down the hill to view the Himalayan Blue Poppies, which were in their prime.

Then it was back up the hill, past the azalea garden - sadly mostly past, clearly affected by the recent spell of exceptionally hot weather - up to the pond by Inverleith House for the second cache. By this time (about two-thirty p.m.), we were ready for a meal, so we dropped down the west side of the hill to the main restaurant at John Hope Gateway. I had a very delicious veggie mousaka with salad, followed by a Moroccan orange pistachio cake, while Aitch enjoyed a well-filled roast chicken foccacia, then Isle of Arran Ice Cream. 

From here, we once more went uphill to the viewing point on the south side of Inverleith House. It has to be admitted that the line of sight over to the key spots in the city centre are a little obscured by the ever-growing trees, but we still managed to enjoy the line from St Mary's Cathredral in the west, travelling over to the castle, the camera obscura, the spires of St Giles' Cathedral, the drop of the Royal Mile as it heads down to meet The Crags and Arthur's Seat. Then there were all the bits between us and that... the 'new town', Dean Village, Stockbridge... it really is a little jewel of a city!

After taking that in, we were on our final stretch. A quick visit to the Aolian harp, then back down the slope following the Chinese Hillside Garden, zig-zagging past more of the aforementioned waterways, finally reaching the pond and pavilion - and the third cache. That's Aitch looking very satisfied in the third of the first lot of photos!

It only remained to find our way back to the West Gate and out to The Grey for a welcome cuppa, some fresh berries, a try-out of the summer jacket (as seen on recent stitches post), and before we knew it, time had come for Aitch to get back on the bus to the centre and to Waverley Station for her train back south.

It was an absolute delight to introduce my pal to these lovely spaces. I hadn't realised that she'd never visited there before, despite many trips to Edinburgh over the years. It may have been her first, but I am sure it won't be the last!

I spent another night on Arboretum, then took off north into Fife for a period of 'cocooning' ... I do love all my sisterly and old pal visits, but I do find more and more that I need lots of recoup/recharge time afterwards! Anyway, the weather really did turn nasty after this, dropping back into single-figure temps and blattering rains. Hey ho...

Menoggling; Eyeing Up Art, Part The First

I landed up in Edinburgh last week. Had three days with Mac1, on and off. Lunch and a long natter in The Grey on day one. A day between when she had other commitments, and I did van chores. Then, two days of visual culture. We wanted to view three exhibitions at the National Gallery. We managed to fit that into one day, but I will make two posts from the visit, or you'll be here until your next meal...

Day One, First Half.

The No. 31 bus stop is halfway between Mac1's house and the street where Grey is parked. We meet there for the 11 a.m. bus. We alight by the Scott Monument on Princes Street, close to the gallery. We note the damage caused by the recently departed German Market stalls. By summer, the grass will be back.

The first exhibition is on the basement level and is a loan from the Chatsworth House collection of drawings by Albrecht Dürer, Hans Holbein the Younger, Sir Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Rembrandt and others. We first sit for a brief video showing Chatsworth and the permanent home of the drawings collection. 

Non-flash photography is acceptable, so naturally, the YAMarazzi clicked like crazy. Several images will appear in the Menonday Art Vibe series, so hold your horses for those. Some tasters here, though...

Landscape With Peasants by Hendrick Goltzius

Anyone interested in art must know that the fundamental basis of it all is simply making marks upon a surface with a friable medium. It began centuries ago in caves, with powdered rock being applied to rock walls. By the 16th century, when most of these works were created, there was sophistication and a variety of tools and pigments. Both dry and wet mediums were used, here displayed in two cases.

Also, anyone who has ever had a go at drawing will know its challenges. Much of the challenge is mental, overcoming one's inhibitions and thoughts of judgment. Skill is another thing - and having the determination to develop it. Yes, there are a few gifted people for whom the skill comes easily, but not without practice and continual exploration.

To stand before these works, to be so up close and personal with the skill of these masters, was - in every sense of the word - awesome! Many were quite large, being sketches and studies for full-size paintings that would follow. Some were complete in themselves and relatively small. Even miniature...

As you can see by my thumb, this was tiny, but it was also a perfect image—by one of the lesser-known artists, Hendrick Goudt, Salome Receiving the Head of John the Baptist.

Mac1 and I lingered long, drooling over the mark-making and sheer brilliance on show.

To say that we were both thrilled and enthralled would not be overstating matters. The cherry on top came when we had completed the circuit of the exhibition and returned to the reception/shop area, where we found tables and supplies to put our own marks down... Mac1 opted to use the photo above that she took of me as her subject, whilst I used the photo I took as I entered the gallery...

We then hung them on the wall at the side—not too shabby for a ten-minute scratch. I'll leave this part with another angle on my effort. Back next Thursday with part two of this visit.

Menooooooooopppphhhhh... On Da Nose

An event at the Mac Clan House on Monday, May 4th...

The Wiltshire man was delivering dad's ready-meals (they help out when the helper is past the helping stage in the kitchen...), but rather unusually, rang the doorbell. Normally the order goes straight into the freezer downstairs, no fuss. I answered and the cheery fellow said, 'You have a problem.'

As he was telling me this, a rather pungent odour was reaching my nostrils. "Hmmm," thinks I, "that's fourthful,,, err,,, forceful..."  The cheery fellow continued, 'The drain at the front there is overflowing - with sewage!'

Thanking him for the alert, I ran out to find that, indeed, there was a river of effluent bubbling up from the gulley grate which just happens to be outside our driveway, but is not 'ours' per se. I dashed back inside to alert father and Mac2 and to locate emergency numbers. First was to alert the council, as they are responsible for the gulleys (aka storm drains). Pressing each "1" when requested by the auto voice, at the sixth time I reached - 'this number is not active due to COVID-19'.

EMERGENCY NUMBER FFS!!! (Steady YAM, this is family viewing...)

I duly filled in the electronic form.

Then rang Scottish Water, who is in charge of sewage as well. Three rings and I was on with Margo. A voice that spoke of being close to my own age, but with the added depth of end to end fags and maybe a dram or three. 'You're speaking with Margo, how can we help?'

I explained the scenario. 'Och aye, that disnae soond richt. Let me check..... nope, nobody has yet reported it. Can I take your details as the reporter? Good - ' and we went through the address and phone number thing. But not directly, for Margo was on for a chat. 'Do you watch "Sewage Men" on Channel 5? No? Och hen, you'd think ah widnae want to wi' this being my work and all - but really, the things they have to contend wi'. Ye just widnae believe whit they bring oot o' they drains!!!'

Oh, trust me Margo, I have  quite the imagination...

After some giggles and important info exchange, I hung up secure in the knowledge that Scottish Water was on their game. Barely two hours later a van pulled up outside. I went down to find Bill, who checked that I was the reporter. Another very chatty and cheery type who took one look at the flow and shook his head sagely. 'Aye, that's gonna require the muckle great beastie. I'll gie them a call and they should be here later today. The trouble is not with this drain, but the main one.' He pointed to the middle of the road. How long have we lived here? Somehow, I'd never noticed that central drain.

It was barely another two hours - indeed it was shortly after lunch, as we were bringing dad back into the lounge, that the muckle great beastie arrived. What ensued kept father engrossed for well over an hour.

The drain cover had not been removed for many years, it was apparent, for the two of them used full force to get the thing removed - that itself took them nearly 20 minutes. Then the 'eel' was sent into the depths. Due to blockage, initially, there was backflow (last image) up out of the main manhole and sending a torrent of yuck down the road. Eventually, the eel got a grip and worked through the block. They worked it this way and that until the water was running clear. In between, they removed items of detritus that clearly didn't belong in the drain. I flashbacked to Margo and her telly show. Let me simply say that there is a young family up the road from us... the rule of thumb, I feel, is that just about nothing should be going down the toilet that isn't directly out of the body. Even toilet paper is a problem. I saw that with my own eyes...

Which is an irony, given recent events.

Anyway. The older fellow here came to the door to report job done and explain what they found. That was free entertainment for dad that didn't involve the television. It was a variation on the monotony of lockdown. And it is a big tick to Scottish Water for speed and courtesy.

Source: Google Images

Menootandabootery; Camera Captures

When having to visit the Council offices a wee while ago, I took the chance to air the camera. It really hasn't been getting much use of late.

I played around with settings and next Me-Now-Views day, you'll see the results. Since taking these, my father has generously passed on his DSLR (Canon EOS350D) to me. He can no longer make use of it.

This is a chance to return to full photographer ways; the camera is a mere 8mp quality in imagery, for it is not young. However, I can now relearn some of what has been forgotten, and have a good play around to see if I can get anything anywhere near the standard of the Fudge, or the wee Hisstix! It'll be a while before I have anything to show you, so keep breathing...

Meanwhile, remember that next Friday is Final Friday!!!

Me-Now-Views; Less Speak More Peek

Menoical; Just a Teeny, Weeny, Itsy Bitsy Kinda Nuts. Part Seven

The last of the images from the visit to the Museum of Flight. Outside, one could view the BAC 111, the Vulcan bomber and enter the Comet commercial jet. There was a microlight buzzing us too!

It was a most wonderful outing and that the father chose to share it with me made it super special.

It has also been a little fortuitous that there were so many images to bore you with share with you; for the broken 'paw' has ensured deep frustration at not being able to type. Well, that should read 'touch type'. I'm a speedy one. Was. This one-handed stuff doesn't please me at all!!! You will have noted though, that the blog break hasn't really happened... can't keep the YAMster away!!!

Menoical; Just a Teeny, Weeny, Itsy Bitsy Kinda Nuts. Part Six

Moving on over to the third major hanger now, which houses the military planes.

This is an interesting one... read on...

Read more about Eric 'Winkle' Brown. Also, watch.

The fantabulous Merlin engine which drove the Lancaster bombers and best of all, the Spitfire...

The Phantom

The Sea Hawk.