Hot and very busy Edinburgh

 I left home soon after eight to get to the station and catch the train to Edinburgh. The rhododendrons along the church path as I went through are coming into bloom, very pretty.

When I got to Edinburgh I familiarised myself with the station, where escalators and lifts were to different platforms and where information and loos are. Then time for a drink before going out into Princes Street. It was very hot and very busy, like bing in Oxford Street in London! Numerous benches in Princes gardens  but not many unoccupied! Started taking pics.

The Royal Scottish Academy had their annual exhibition, it was the 200 year anniversary so they were offering people party hats as they went in. A few of us took them and wore them whilst looking round!

Most of the work was for sale, don’t think I saw anything for under £1000 and the crouching youth bronze in the photos wA £100,000. Some items were very modern and some more traditional.

This painting caught my eye and the plaque next to it was sad and shocking.

This next one won an award.

One more photo and then I crossed over to go in shops to stay out of the heat for a while.

I missed the direct train home so he to change at Perth. I had tried to get timetables but they haven’t had them for years and there aren’t even any up on the walls as there used to be. I did download the app which states it has timetables, but I can’t find them! I got home hot and tired, but at least I feel more confident about travelling now.

Tina took a couple of photos while she was out so will finish with those, while I sit here and get used to my new chair.

Jigsaw started and new chair

 I have felt tired today, I think a combination of the heat and more walking at the weekend made me feel my age! I did some chores this morning the sat with the cat for a while, I think she has been affected by the heat and slept and I was trying to read and was dozing off!

She obviously heard something so that was a good time to move! I went outside and pruned the bonsai trees, even my favourite one as the benches were getting too long.

I made a start on the jigsaw and found the missing edge piece.

I had ordered a manual recliner chair from Wayfair and it was due to arrive between five and six today. It arrived at the allotted time and he put the box in the office for me.

Tina had just gone out so I set bout getting it out and assembled. Getting the rocking chair out and the new one in was quite a manoeuvre and all was going well until I attach the wings. First on only a couple of attempts, the second one I lost count, but here it is.

I have loved the rocking chair and stool but it was getting a bit difficult getting up from it, I bought it at auction and have used it for over eight years. Hopefully it will be enjoyed by someone else.

I watered the garden before Tina got home and we had dinner.

I am planning to get the train to Edinburgh in the morning to checkout the railway station before I travel south.

Morning and evening walks

 This morning I walked to Dunkeld along the river path with Darren while Tina was at a meeting. We had a drink there and went into a couple of shops and then returned along the river path. Darren went down the bank at one point, I watched!

We had an early lunch and Darren was on his way back to Hornsea before midday. It was hot and muggy this afternoon so I fed a bit but it was making me doze so I did a sketch from a photo I took yesterday indoors. Need to keep practicing those trees!

When the sun was going down a bit o watered the garden and tree and pots before Tina drove up to The Hermitage so we could have a stroll. 

It was still quite warm and there were a few people enjoying a walk there. 

I am feeling quite weary so won’t be late to bed.

Jigsaw edges and a walk

 I packed the bee jigsaw away yesterday and got the new one ready, this morning I hunted for the edges and pieced them together and only missed one piece! I think this one will be fun.

I put the new ankle support on and decided to go for a walk, stopped at the Co op in Dunkeld and bought a  meal deal which was only a little more than having a drink out. I had walked along the river path to Dunkeld and then I headed for the river path heading towards Dunkeld house but I only went as far as the first bench I came to. Had my lunch there and just sat and looked at the view for a while. Idid take my sketch book but thought it was too difficult! I went a bit further on the way back as I headed for the public loos at the top of the town. Wasted effort as they were closed! Jesu did come out for a while and it was quite hot, so flopped for a bit. I did take some photos while I was out.

This afternoon we went to the garden centre for a cuppa and cake and I bought a couple of birthday cards and a gift.

The plants in the garden were visibly wilting, which reminds me that the special oak is looking on its last legs again. Back to the garden plants, I got the garden watered before I got on with dinner. I have done more steps today than in a while so resting the legs and uncles at the ankle, but the support did make walking easier today.

Blair castle part two

After lunch we had a wander along the forest path, some very large trees!

There was an amazing wall behind the stream.

Then we made our way to the grass area where we sat to watch the parade of the only private army left in Europe.

That canon was very loud!

It was quite a spectacle, and hundreds of people there. There are extensive grounds so I am sure we will be going there again.