Edinburgh Surprises

Edinburgh was full of surprises - the secret leafy feel of the Water of Leith Walkway, though it goes through the heart of the city. At times we felt we were in a green tunnel, dark and cool, emerging after a time into dappled light. Sometimes we had to come away from the river for a few moments, and find our way back to the Walkway, across a road and round a bend. The loveliness of Dean Village and Stockbridge which the Walkway took us through.

This statue of Hygieia Goddess of Health, who guards St Bernard's Well, whose waters are said to be health-giving (not that any of this can be learned at the site - I had to look it up on the internet!)


The sheer variety of the architecture in the city, its height, grandeur, and yet, what I want to call friendliness... so that despite its often towering qualities, it never seemed to intimidate as some city architecture can...


...except perhaps the Castle!



And then there were the cats! Not really a surprise, and yet, I had perhaps forgotten the very great pleasures of the company of cats. And they allowed us, total strangers, into their lives with such a good grace. They were at first a little wary, appropriately enough, then rather curious, and soon positively affectionate in Cassie's case, who came and made herself comfortably at home on my lap, entirely without prompting, of an evening. Sirius, of a rather different cast of character, was magnanimously accepting of worship, in the form of stroking and tender words...
Sirius in particular, reminded us strongly of our dear departed Kali, dead these nine years. A poignant pleasure.

Cassie takes a stroll around the garden.

Sirius as a pot of begonias...

More surprises still to come. Don't miss the next thrilling instalment...