On the Beat

I had supper in the Vaults with an old friend. Walking back after a couple of whiskies – including a very fine Caol Isla in the current list – I saw this sunset over Leith.



My iPod played a really wonderful sequence on the shuffle, which really resonated with my mood…

• Until the End of the World – U2
  
• Charlotte Street - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
  
• Birdland – Patti Smith (1975)
  
• Perfect Blue – Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
  
• God, part 2 – U2
  
• Baba O’Reilly – the Who

This filled the whole of the journey, and was truly brilliant.

I have often seen this giant hot dog outside a greasy spoon cafe in Leith when I have been on a bus. Last week, I walked past it, and having my camera with me, I finally took a photograph of it. There is something rather obscene about a hot dog willingly slathering itself in mustard.

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting on the bus on the way to work, staring out of the window; as we drove down the Shore, the autumn sun was rising above the buildings behind and shining on those across the Water of Leith. It created some beautiful reflections in the water.

I wished I was outside, looking at the colours and reflections.

And then I realised I needn’t sit on the bus; so I got off, and took these photographs.

( More pictures behind the cut )

I'm working down by the docks in Leith. There are amazing views of the Edinburgh skyline from the top of the car park at Ocean Terminal, but the light facing south was too strong: the city looked washed out.

The docks, though, looked beautiful, creating reflections in the water that I just loved.

( More pictures after the cut. )

It was a beautiful morning; I decided I should get some exercise whilst the weather held: and so I walked to Leith for my lunch.

It was very good to stretch my legs - literally: I haven't been out much over the past couple of days. The sky was a deep blue, the winter sun bright if not warm. Winter is definitely here (although as someone pointed out, it is the solstice in a couple of weeks, and then the days will grow longer; although there is a while to go to the summer light).

A ham sandwich and chips - the chips being cooked in cocaine-oil, I am sure: they are clearly addictive. No whisky: it would be too, too easy to sit and while away the whole afternoon; easy, but dangerous, I am sure. Some other time. I resisted the whisky and amoretti trifle, too. It sounds very good, though...

There is a large Christmas tree in the south west corner of the large room - rising perhaps a foot below the high ceiling. They must have had fun getting that in here. It is a beautiful tree - not to gaudy despite the coloured lights. It gives the room even more of a Victorian mood. (We are limited to a small tree at home, lest the cats go hunting baubles amongst the needles.)