Christmas Shopping In Edinburgh

Golly yesterday was like going to work - setting the alarm clock at a similar time as to going to work, getting up in the dark, leaving in the dark etc etc, oh and coming home in the dark. I felt as if I was the only one doing this until you get on the train, from Berwick, to hunt out my reserved seat. I then discover the train is virtually full and these people have been on the train earlier so they must have got up even earlier than me! It must be my age but the train was boiling hot, had the same problem when I used the trains to and from Birmingham the previous week. I was very glad that I had worn a thin tunic dress with short sleeves and a cardigan. As soon as I found my seat the coat and shawl was off followed very shortly by my cardigan. I bet I provided some amusement for my fellow passengers. I love the way that the train arrives into the heart of the city, with all the historic buildings on show - gives me a happy glowing feeling.

I headed straight to John Lewis to get Mr P's Christmas presie. Now I had a good idea what I was getting but wanted some extra information. After a lovely young dishy Scottish man answered ALL my questions he then discovers they have sold out but don't worry he'll order "secret" for me to collect in Leicester. Disaster they've sold out everywhere and may or may not get "secret" in time for Christmas! Aaaaaaargh - devastated. So I then ask him where else I might be able to buy "secret" from in Edinburgh. He kindly gave me a few options, but I felt disappointed as I must be a real shop snob and didn't want to purchase from there! Had to give myself a good talking to and tell myself that I was being ridiculous. It took me a few shops to get what I wanted - also a huge walk, but I was successful.

Lovely to see the trams up and running. It made me feel as if I was in Switzerland or some other country. Must come up with an excuse to go on a tram one day.

Love seeing shops at this time of the year, with their twinkly lights and trees. Now what am I doing in Broughton Street? I know it's not in the main shopping area. Any ideas?

Of course it had to be a woolly shop! Sorry about the picture not displaying all the letters but I feel a bit embarrassed trying to take a picture head on. Apparently she is in the process of having her name repainted on the front of the shop but it keeps on raining and the painters have to come back again, as the last time the paint ran before it had time to dry. Of course it would have been rude to just visit without buying anything. So I got , I know I have OCD, another shawl pattern! I had seen this designer on Ravelry - Lucy Hague. I especially like the way she incorporates celtic patterns into her designs. I looked at the book and was rather overwhelmed by the instructions. So Kathy showed me one of the easier patterns to start with and that was what I ended up getting.

No I have not knitted it already! This is just someone elses knitting. Also I shall be knitting it with a paler coloured wool as Kathy said it is easier to see where you might go wrong. So this will be a project for the new year and not one for in front of the television!

Then I walked about a mile to get to McAree. They have an amazing amount of books and wool. Sorely tempted, but resisted!

I headed back to Princess Street to discover they had a German Christmas market, similar to the one I had seen in Birmingham. Look at the size of those pan handles!

They also had a big wheel, open air ice skating rink and a fair.

Sorry the pictures are dark, but that was the sort of day when it never seems to get bright. Having seen all the food I decided it was time to head to the Royal Mile for lunch. I remember going to a Mexican restaurant some years ago and thought I'd try and find it again.

Viva Mexico in Cockburn Street. I had a seat by the window, so I could carry on watching people. I was not sure what to order and I asked what had a bit of spice and was told the potato and bean dish would hit the mark. The waitress got it right and I found myself drinking a pint glass of water! It took me a while to be able to drink my tea, as my mouth was burning! Now don't let me put you off because I asked for spice and I got it, not everything is that heavily spiced. It was delicious.

After this wonderful refreshment it was time to do some more shopping. The weather outside is getting rather blowy!

I head up the Royal Mile, quick photo of the castle. Then I took this picture.

It came out so blurred because I was physically being moved by the wind! As the wind blew so the rain came and I sought refuge in this woollen mill. There was all the usual tourist stuff and then came the whiskeys. I was staggered at the price tags! Good job I'm not a whiskey drinker! Better stick to my red wine.

Can you imagine buying one of these bottles? I'd be terrified of breaking it on the way home! Perhaps you have a chauffeur if you can afford one of these bottles?

As the day got darker so the shops looked prettier.

The next picture is my last one because I had to stop and put my camera away as the rain became too heavy and the wind became gale force!

I had a fabulous day and spent most of it on my feet. Oh boy was I tired! I treated myself to a long luxurious bath, lit the coal fire watched some television and had an early night. Hopefully off to some woods tomorrow.

I'm Home - Northumberland

Oh at long last I have finally made it back up north, home. Haven't been to the cottage since March of this year and I have sooooooooo missed it. So unashamedly I have loads of pictures.

View of the River Tweed after the weekends Desmond Storm.

Golly I forget how bright the sky is here. I wonder when I retire will I get used to this brightness and not notice it? Hope not.

Of course I have to have a pilgrimage to Holy Island, looking across to Beal.

A paddle in the sea - yes with wellies on! Cheating I know, but I'm not stupid. But I couldn't wade out to St Cuthberts Island.

Tide was in too high to venture across.

Golly I think this castle must hold a record for the number of photographs been taken of this view!

Trying to be arty farty!

Now the beauty of being on my own is that I can choose all the rubbishy films to watch. So here I am watching Disney's film "Santa Who".

Also can be selfish and choose exactly where I want to walk and the distance. So today, after struggling for 10 days with some sort of virus that has left me with very little voice I chose just to do a short walk along the coast into Seahouses.

I love the way these seagulls were lined up sitting on top of the poles.

I can't help it I love boats! Sorry family! You just don't have to look!

I love Seahouses harbour. It's a great place, if you are hungry, to sit and eat fish and chips looking at the boats!

Playing around with the colour settings.

But what I need to remember that this isn't just a postcard picture place but somewhere that people's livelihood depends on.

This area is home to the eider ducks. They have a funny neck action and noise!

Then as I'm walking around I remember the wonderful fish shop and have to pop in to buy myself something for my tea.

I opted for a nice piece of smoked haddock - nom nom. Time for a cuppa and then walk back. Suddenly the sky went black and a large shower occurred. But it was so worth it to see this amazing rainbow.

Sorry couldn't get the whole rainbow into the picture.

I am very privileged to be able to have the opportunity to take time off to enjoy walking in this beautiful area and having time to play with my camera.

Well tomorrow I'm off to Edinburgh, on the train, hopefully to get some Christmas shopping done. Thanks for popping by. Take care and have a good week.

Well The Weather Outside Is Frightful......

Golly what a week of weather , ice, rain, dark, frost, hail, wind and occasionally some sun. It's been one of those weeks we have in England when you just don't want to go out unless you really have to. Unfortunately I still had to go to work and do all my usual stuff regardless of the weather. Highlight of the week was the weekend. Saturday was the concert with the choir I sing with. It was absolutely brilliant being able to sing with a full orchestra and professional soloists.

We sang Bach's B Minor Mass. Now I had never heard the music before until we started rehearsing and I can confidently say that it has become one of my top favourites. One of the things that I love about this choir is the conductor Richard Laing.  He is great at picking music that is not often performed and I have never heard of. So the last few years have been great for having my taste in music widened.

If you listen to this mass then you will discover it is two cds long! So it was quite a feat especially I should think for some of the older members of the choir - as we had already spent a few hours rehearsing during the afternoon. Days later and I still have the music buzzing around my head - great night. The evening was finished with some bread, cheese and wine!

Sunday Mr P had a rare day off. But the weather outside was frightful! So no nice country walks with a pub meal but instead a train trip into Birmingham. We decided to go and visit the German Christmas Market.

Apologies for all the pictures but they were taken on my phone as I did not want to take my camera out in all the pouring rain. Well the stalls were lovely and bright but the rain! No comment. I felt sorry for all the people working on these stalls trying to keep warm, stopping their stock being blown away by the weather.

Oooh not sure I could bring myself to eat reindeer burgers! Seems a little cruel at this time of year! What a hypocrite I am!

There was an outdoor icerink, but it was covered with rain. I felt sorry for the people as they fell onto the ice only to get drenched.

Loved the idea of hiring a penguin to push around to enable children to keep their balance. Sadly didn't see any mummy or daddy penguins for the adults!

If you haven't been to one of these markets then you may find it hard to understand why you get so hungry - but everywhere is food! But with the rain pouring and no indoor  seating we decided to eat in a restaurant. By this stage we did not mind where and the first place we found with some available seats was Ask Italian. It's funny we were just going to have a bit to eat but as we sat there the lull of delicious food and wine changed our minds. We ended up eating delicious roasted duck with roast potatoes and spinach gratin.

 Sorry apologies for a terrible picture but it was so yummy that I still wanted to show you. Accompanied this with a large glass of red wine and for Paul a soft drink as he dislikes wine! Now I was really full after the dinner and was not going to have a pudding. I'm not really a pudding girl but I took one look at the menu and fell in love with the pear frangipane tart!

It does come with cream but my body does not get on with cream so I had some ice cream. Oh it was delicious. This was then followed with an espresso and a glass of water. I was worried that when I popped to the loo that I wouldn't be able to do my jeans back up! Oh they even offered mince pies with the coffee - I refused there was NO space left in my belly! We then glanced at the time to discover it was 3pm and we had hardly seen a thing! Being Sunday the shops close early. So we decided to make a dash to John Lewis to have a look at Duplo for the grandchildren. Now Mr P and I were born in Birmingham but left in 1980. I think it would be easier to find our way around if we had never lived there as our brains were trying to get the geography of the town together and failing! It took us a while to find the store.

We discovered that John Lewis has been built above New Street Station(images). Golly it looks amazing but we had not left enough time to discover it more. Have to come back another day.

I know I said we went to look at duplo, but the fabric department was right next door - so couldn't resist a peep. So many wonderful fabrics - very tempting, but I resisted.

I did like the decorations but I couldn't help but see this trees as bottle brush cleaners! Well we couldn't stay long as the store had to close and I too was running out of energy, starting a cold. Time to head back home but not till we had a mooch in Foyles Bookshop.

On the crafting front it is a little bit secret - busy making things for the grandchildren - so sadly cannot display my creativity! But I can show you a hat I quickly knitted last week for a very dear friend who has started chemotherapy and will need some hats.

Well I better love you and leave you. I need to go to work and leave some products for my clients this afternoon. I am going to be unable to see them as I have NO voice! Mr P is jumping with glee - he says I cannot nag him now! Bye and keep warm.