Eternal Refuge

I decided that as it seemed to be mostly blue skies I decided I would go for a walk.  I wore my heavy coat, so if I got caught out I would mostly stay dry ... brilliant, except for half way round the 10mins of wet was hail stones, not rain.  So I now have a cold, and sore scalp!  Oh well, I shall thaw out.

One of the competitions today for Photocrowd was that of photo manipulation. That is a rare competition, so decided to have a go, and thought I would share the before & after with you for something different -

Shall I point out which was the original, or let you guess!!





So that was a great excuse to stop the spring cleaning I was doing this morning! So what with both of those, as well as some basic shopping I had quite a busy morning. Now I am going to do this and then do some knitting while I watch a DVD ... I have started a re-watch on Blakes 7 . But before I do that I will get the questions done before I switch off the computer for the rest of the weekend -


13. Do you work harder with or without supervision?

With - I can get so easily distracted otherwise

14. Are details more your thing or do you prefer focusing on the big picture?

Depends on what/why/when. Mostly I like the big picture over-view, and sort out the details as I go


Well I think that's me up to date with you all. So will sign off till Monday - Hope you all have a good weekend x

I was having problems uploading last week, but just wanted to share a few photos of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh ... the nearest landmark to where I was staying and the Church I went to on Sunday.

Certainly a beautiful building - full of faith & history ... especially as you see a lot of the Regimental Colours up, those that have led many men into battle

( Enjoy a stroll around this lovely cathedral )

Even if you don't really know much about the city, most of us have heard of Edinburgh Castle. I went there on my trip, and really found it a fascinating place - complete with the Scottish War Memorial, 3 museums, a Norman Chapel and various Tudor buildings. Yes, it was a full day, but still hard to take in - and even harder to try to share in just a few photos.

However, while there I did try to collect a souveneir, or two ... but sadly I only had one ticket for the return home!!




( Trying to get a taste of the Castle )

And, for those who don't recognise the icon - In the Dresden Files, the council of wizards is situated in a tunnel network under the city, and especially the castle

If you love graveyards then Edinburgh is certainly a place to go. Literally around the Old Town are 4 Kirkyards/Burial Grounds that I went to, and a little further out were even more. Burial in Churches was banned in the 1660's, and so the elaborate memorials we see in English Churches just moved outside ... and amazingly are still in good condition.

However, anyone who doesn't like graves has to go and see one grave, of they never visit another ... that of Greyfriars' Bobby. Just outside the Kirkyard is his statue, and it is good luck to rub his nose. I don't actually believe in luck, but still couldn't resist. And for those who are confused, I will "borrow" Wikipedia ...

Bobby belonged to John Gray, who worked for the Edinburgh City Police as a nightwatchman. When John Gray died he was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, the kirkyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in the Old Town of Edinburgh. Bobby then became known locally, spending the rest of his life sitting on his master's grave.

In 1867 the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir William Chambers, who was also a director of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, paid for Bobby's licence and gave the dog a collar, now in the Museum of Edinburgh.

Bobby is said to have sat by the grave for 14 years. He died in 1872 and was buried just inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard, not far from John Gray's grave.

The full Wikipedia article is here



( A few views around Greyfriars, and Carlton Hill Kirkyards )

While I was in Edinburgh, as I said I couldn't get to Holyrood as the Queen was in residence ... however I did get to see the Church she went to on the Sunday morning (although I went to the Cathedral instead!!). She goes to Canongate Church .... and yet again, it has an amazing Kirkyard

( Following in Her Majesty's footsteps )