I love exploring. However, I equally like finding a good seat for my coffee break. This seat was amazing!
Culross never looked so good! Perfect.
Flask in hand. Coffee poured. Now this was a coffee break ☕️
Now where is that Abbey?
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
Christmas and New Years celebrations are now all behind us. With that realisation, a stillness is evident in the Bonnie capital. As I walked the streets, I cannot but notice that with many of the holiday dressings removed, the “bones” of the city are truly visible. With very few adornments, the buildings and structures are even more prominent.
As I walked across Waverley Bridge and through Princes Street gardens, the old town still looked amazing.
Although the structures look a little monochromatic, they still were a feast for the eyes. The detail in the architecture is wonderful.
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
There is a real love affair between the UK and birds. I think it is one relationship that actually defines the culture and yes that includes Scotland! As I mentioned before, although I am British, I have lived many years in Canada and have travelled extensively. However, I have not witnessed this passion to walk to a park armed with a loaf of breadcrumbs, to then spray them around with such intent anywhere else in the world, like they do in this Bonnie land.
Yesterday, while I was taking a quiet stroll I was suddenly interrupted with a sound that rose to a crescendo. I turned to see what I can only describe as a mix of a grand operatic performance and some form of professional wrestling conducted by our featured friends. I was transfixed by the performance and stayed until every last crumb disappeared which for the record did not take long! I could not help myself; I had to take a clip in slow motion.
It continues to put a smile on my face.
My advice to you – do not get between a bird the their breadcrumb! It is an operatic, feeding frenzy.
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
What a delight to see and be reminded by this late icon, Archbishop Desmond Tutu!
“No outsiders. No enemies.”
As I walked Princes Street and without a doubt, totally in my own world listening to the daily hum of the city, it was a lovely surprise to happen-upon this billboard outside St John’s in the city centre. I had not noticed it before. How was that even possible? But glad to see it now; gracing the city centre in Edinburgh. As I reflected on this painting, a friend came to mind, Kashmir Birk. He had written an excellent tribute and I would like to quote this sentence from that tribute:
“Desmond Tutu reminds us what true leadership is: Compassionate defiance of what is wrong, and fearlessly true to what is human and honest.” Kashmir Birk.
Word!
Thank you St John’s for this reminder.
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
It still blows my mind that I can see signs of plant growth in January! Having lived in Ontario, Canada for many years, I have been conditioned that all plants are dormant from November to April with the only colours in my surrounding being white [snow] and brown [bark]! So I am delighted to see signs of growth in my container garden. As I strolled onto my terrace with morning coffee in hand, I saw bulbs poking out of the soil, as if they were saying “Hello”.
It never fails to put a smile on my face to see the first signs of new growth reminding me that Spring is a chance to start again. I think friends must know this about me, as I recently received bulbs as a gift to witness its growth on my sill.
Are you thinking Spring yet? I would enjoy hearing your thoughts.
I think Spring growth in January is a delight.
© The Scottish Pearl 2022
I found this post intriguing and thought I would share it. After all, haggis is a national treasure “Synonymous with great haggis, the Macsween family are rightly hailed across Scotland, here are ten facts you might not know about them.”
— Read on foodanddrink.scotsman.com/producers/10-things-probably-didnt-know-macsweens/
