Lucky
Impressions
Life is a catalogue of impressions. Every day we meet people, we complete tasks, climb mountains. Last year in my time of rebirth I departed to the other side of the world. How easy it is to travel. How tiny is our world. To travel in less than two days and be enveloped by another way of life. How lucky are we. Sitting waiting at Launceston Airport. Carting luggage, overcoats, wearing too many clothes, but I am ready for the cold snap that will greet me in Edinburgh. Fortunately the air conditioning is working well as I am over dressed as well. But I still have to get past an 8 hour wait in Melbourne . Luckily the luggage is checked through so only have to check myself in. No waiting with big luggage is a bonus…………….All is good I have landed in Edinburgh. Arrived 10 hours later than expected. Delays all the way, starting in Melbourne and the ripple effect of missed connections. Got stuck in Doha, an alcohol free zone so no drink to help while away the time. Having made a couple of friends on the way we suitably grumbled, grumped, huffed and puffed about delays, bad service and shitty cramped planes. We departed knowing that we would never meet again, even though we promised to connect on social media. I have discovered Scottish people are so friendly, upfront and honest, they call a spade a f..kn.. spade. This fellow on the last plane jumped seats to sit with me, plied me with alcohol and Walkers biscuits. Lovely fellow, very chatty. We spoke of life and friends and connections. His mate lived in a place that ultimately I was on my way to reboot my life. Coincidence. The universe at play again.
I arrived in Edinburgh to be greeted by my beautiful, smiling daughter. I sank in to her embrace and I realised how much I have missed her. My first born child. Now a grown woman with a life and family of her own. But oh how I love this girl. This wise, beautiful, accomplished young woman who carries within her some of me. Jet lag is not something that has particularly worried me before. But for some reason I have been hit by a tidal wave. Maybe it is the tidal wash of the last year. But I have hit a wall. My girl is out at her Christmas dinner and I am sitting here watching a weird Tarantino movie. I was meant to train to Glasgow to meet up with her, but slept till 7.30, it would be 9.30 before I got there and I am still suffering the rigours of being in transit for 30 hours. Edinburgh is beautiful and every thing is in walking distance. I can’t wait to explore it with my camera; Edinburgh castle, walking to the top of Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood house (the queen is not in residence so I can do a tour) the church is amazing. I walked in to the whisky tasting today and everything is so relaxed, the fellow behind the barrel was tasting the liquor as he was working. Apparently a good sign if you sample your own wares. Dogs are welcome in bars and restaurants, if they are well behaved and on a leash. Had a hot toddy at the ice skating and there were flakes of snow falling as we stood outside clutching the hot cups. Carollers were singing
Christmas carols and lone pipers are dotted around the city (though some are better than others). The accents are lovely and it is a “lazy wind” that blows (cuts through you doesn’t go around you) but coats, hats, scarves and gloves are real fashion statements. My Christmas in Winter.
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