Disney Princess

Apparently since coming to Scotland I have become part Disney princess. The birds seem to want in. Yesterday I heard loud banging from my bedroom. On investigating, there was a young pigeon standing on my window sill, knocking on the window like he wanted to come. I went and grabbed my phone and he had settled on the ledge below the window when I got back. He didn't care when I stood there at the window taking photos. He just shot me glares as if saying, "When are you going to open that window? It's chilly out here."

I went out a hour later and he was still there. He had left but he time I back from my walk on the beach a few hours later, though he did leave some "gifts" on the ledge.

This morning I was woken up by a magpie, squawking and banging on the window to be let in. Not entirely sure what is going on right now. 

Through the park

During my first weekend in Edinburgh, I took a break from sorting out bags and boxes and went for a walk with Caroline around Holyrood park and along the Royal Mile. It's is not very far to get to the park from mine though I have since learnt that the most direct route is up a 30 deg gradient so I will be taking the slightly longer route. 

There is nice little loch (apparently everything bigger than a puddle is called a loch).

We walked around the park and into town to enjoy a mid-afternoon snack of waffles! So good! 

On the way back we walk ed partly up the hill to get the other side so got some good views across the bay. And can down on the short route to mine. 

Portobello Beach

On the big move weekend, I had the Monday off and mom and dad didn't need to get the van back until the Tuesday. (I think they also wanted a break from the driving as the weather that weekend was pretty windy and raining so the drive up, and back for them, was not fun.) So, after some more shopping for missing bits, we went to the beach.

Portobello beach is a 25 min walk and 5 mins drive away from my apartment. There is huge promenade with some nice cafes. We walked along the promenade and get lunch from a place which sold Gluten free buns for bacon sandwiches so we were all very happy. And they were generous with the bacon too. :)

At the other end we turned and walked along the beach as the tide was out. Dad had his shoes off within seconds. Apparently the sea isn't as cold as he expected. But not sure that tells me much. I wasn't as brave. 

We ended up walking along the promenade twice as when we got to the other end we wanted a cup of tea so walked back again. I am going to love living by the sea. :) 

Another big move

So I finally made it to Edinburgh! I moved the last week in August and am finally settled. Of course I have been working during the week so haven't had much time. But to move I took a 4 days weekend and we got everything we needed to get done in 2.5 days. Thankfully we had some help packing the van back in Kingswinford and unpacking was easier. 

We spent the Friday night on the sofa cushions (the sofa was much further back in the van) watching tv(which was on the top), and sleeping on air beds. 

Thankfully the Saturday onwards was more comfortable.

I got some amazing house warming gifts from Caroline (I have eaten most of them. Oops!) and a lovely bunch of flowers delivered from a friend in London. My new apartment has an amazing south facing bay window so gets the sun most of the day. 

And this time I have a 2 bedroom place so the spare room is set up as an office (and can be easily converted to a guest bedroom). Well it will be soon. Still a work in progress. (The other side of the room is currently the dumping ground for everything I don't know what to do with yet.) But I am super excited about this after lockdown in a tiny one bedroom flat in London. 

Caroline can round on the Saturday to help but we mostly ended up taking a break and having a giant lunch. But I got mom to try Turkish food so worth it. It has been my mission to get both parents trying new things whenever I can and it turns out both parents love it!

Sunday was a trip to Ikea (why do you always come out with a load of things you didn't know about going it but suddenly can't live without?) and a huge supermarket shop. Followed by putting up the furniture (I love doing flat-pack furniture). I love my new place a lot more than London so, so far, this moving is working out just right. :)

Other summer news

Being home, I finally got access to flour so managed to do some baking.

We were supposed to be down Cornwall for an amazing 3 week holiday. That did not happen. But I wanted a cream tea anyway so we made one and it was well worth it.

I also introduced mom and dad to my banana cake. I have had to make it 3 times since then. 

Other summer fun:

- lots of sitting in the back garden

- lots of cooking (I had to make the birthday dinners for both Dad and Craig)

- starting work

- arranging a new apartment (moving day is approaching!) 

- picnic evenings at Arley

- catching up with an old friend I haven't seen in 17 years!

I am looking forward to moving up to Scotland but it has been fun to be home. And I still have some time. :)

Playing with a puppy.

While I have been home, Kerry and Craig came over and brought their neighbours dog, Nuala. They just kidnap the dog whenever they want and she is gorgeous. She is a french bulldog-staffy cross she has the staffy smile and build and the french bulldog ears. She is a bundle of energy and so good natured. I got some photos though some are blurry - she doesn't sit still much! 

Happy. 

It was a good shot until she moved. 

Wightwick Manor

We also spent the day at Wighwick in the gardens. I love the house there but it was shut so we wondered around the gardens and had a picnic. Picnics seem to be the key to this summer.

The kitchen garden is great there. I would love to be able to grow veg like that. And they had seem lovely photos. I got some good bug and flower shots. (Dad got me flash gun and is going to teach me macro-photography. So I am practicing.)

Bee butt. 

Dudmaston

One of the days we went to Dudmaston Hall and had a walk around the grounds. (I'll have to go back another time to see the house.)

The woods are amazing and worth a visit. The trees are huge.

We walked the long way round and stopped and had a picnic at the side of the river furthest from the house. It was beautifully quiet and we sat and watched the ducks and dragon flies. 

Picnic!