More Medical Care

Minor Injuries Unit

Another learning experience. Earlier, Mike learned about getting some basic medical care here in Edinburgh; it was a positive experience. Now, it was Beth's turn. After an unfortunate fall on an uneven cobble street, she injured her leg. Hmm, injured is not an adequate term. It hurt like hell.

Worried about a possible fracture, she sought medical care at NHS (National Health System). A call to their hotline resulted in an immediate appointment at a "Minor Injuries Unit." That is similar to an Emergency Department at a US hospital, but limited to minor injuries (the real big emergencies do go to an emergency department). Her experience was definitely positive. In the span of only three hours she received the benefit of an exam, an x-ray, a diagnosis, and a discharge set of instructions. All at no cost. Repeat, no cost.

Luckily, no fracture. Ligament damage only. Some physical therapy should do the trick. By the way, the Minor Injuries Unit was in the same hospital where she volunteers two days a week. Karma.
 

Floral Clock

35,000 Flowers

The annual planting of the Floral Clock has been completed. Each year 35,000 flowers and plants are densely packed into the intricate shape of a working clock; even the rotating clock hands consist of flowers. The clock is located in the city center in Princes Street Gardens.

The floral clock was first created in 1903; it's the oldest of its kind in the world. It used to be operated mechanically and had to be wound daily. Each year it designed in honor of various organizations and individuals. 

1,000 Bagepipes

Pipe Band

We spent the day at the UK Pipe Band Championships. "Pipe" is the word for "bagpipes." The championships were held at the Royal Highland Center in Edinburgh; just a short bus ride from the city center.

Bands from all over the UK competed. In total, there were 1,000 bagpipes, 350 snare drums, 250 tenor drums, and 60 bass drums. Tartan was everywhere. Wonderful sights and sounds.

Although the musical instruments were quite different, this event reminded us of the many High School marching band championships we attended when William was Drum major.
 

Family Time

Together In Our Flat

We sure enjoyed the two months that William visited. During the summer months, when he does not teach classes at Texas Lutheran University, he does research. And since he can do that anywhere there is an Internet connection, he spent time most days with us in Edinburgh doing just that.

He also spent time most days on the phone, either coaching students doing independent study or working with contacts in India regarding an upcoming research trip. He joined us on hill walks, on local sightseeing outings, going to shows, visiting museums, grocery shopping... Fun time together.

City Skyline

Edinburgh

It was a nice day to walk up Salisbury Crags and look out over the city. The Edinburgh Castle can be seen in the center of the photo; if you look closely you can see the temporary seating that has been erected on the promenade for the Tattoo. That is the over-the-top show, with hundreds of bagpipes and a thousand performers, that is put on daily during the month long Fringe Festival every August. We had a terrific time at the Tattoo a couple of years ago.

19 Arches

Viaduct

Mike and William spent the day hill walking in the Borders area of Scotland, not far from the boarder with England. One of the highlights was passing under the Leaderfoot Viaduct (see photo). That structure, which consists of 19 arches spanning the river Tweed, was built out of sandstone in 1865 to carry rail traffic. Interestingly, it is built at the site of a former Roman fort and river crossing; the Romans did not make it much farther north into Scotland before being turned around.

Fancifully, they also passed by The Rhymer’s Stone. It tells the story of Thomas the Rhymer, a famous poet from the late 1200s. Legend tells of Thomas having fallen asleep near this spot, beneath a tree. According to the story when he awoke, Thomas was confronted by the Queen of the Fairies on a shining grey horse. He then went on an adventure to Fairyland where he stayed for what seemed to be three days, but was in fact seven years. Upon leaving this enchanted land, Thomas gained the gift of speaking the truth and told of many prophecies related to Scottish history.

Not Smiling

Wet Beth

Well, to be fair, not everyone on the rainy hill walk was smiling all the time (see photo). Some of the long-time club members remarked that they could not remember the last time they hill walked the entire day in the rain. After we had ascended and descended 1,400 feet, as we slogged through miles of puddles, as mud caked on our boots, and as people were chilled by the decreasing temperature, an occasional expression of something other than joy could be heard.

However, not a discouraging word was heard during the pub stop that immediately followed. That "proud we did it - happy it is over" attitude prevailed.
 

It Rained...and Rained

Elevenses Stop

It rained continuously from the start to the end of a hill walk that Mike led; often the rain was coming down hard. The photo was taken of the 13 of us when we stopped for "elevenses." That is the word used to describe a late morning coffee stop, usually about 11am. Virtually everyone, including Beth, carries a thermos of hot coffee on the hill walks.

Note that all were smiling in the photo in spite of the rain. That positive attitude is quite typical, and yet another reason we enjoy spending time with people here. This was the second hill walk that Mike has led for the club; it rained on the first one as well. Given that track record, he is now learning some new Scottish vocabulary.

- Dreich:  Well-known word for rain, often describing a dull, dreary, and miserable type of weather.

- Drookit:  Means extremely wet, drenched, or soaked.

- Teeming doon:  This phrase describes heavy rain, when it's pouring down.
 

900 Years

Capella Edina Orchestra

Wow, what a great concert. We returned to Usher Hall, this time for a concert by Edinburgh's Capella Edina Orchestra. The city was founded in 1124 and this concert was part of the ongoing 900th birthday celebrations. The program was packed with works from Johann Strauss and others. As good as those works were, the biggest crowd pleasers (and our favorites) were a couple of traditional Scottish pieces where the orchestra was accompanied by a pipe band. Nothing says Scotland more than bagpipes and snare drums.

Interestingly, we were seated immediately behind the VIP section where the Right Honorable Lord Provost of Edinburgh (similar to a city mayor in the US) was seated with a delegation of dignitaries.
 

Underwhelming

Stone of Destiny

Underwhelming:  fail to impress or make a positive impact, disappointment, lame. That is just how Beth reacted when she saw the Stone of Destiny. It is an oblong block of red sandstone that was used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs until the 13th century, and thereafter in the coronation of English and later British monarchs. It was last used in 2023 for the coronation of King Charles.

The stone isn't very big, measuring about 2x1x1 foot on a side; and weighing 335 pounds. The stone is located in a brand new museum in the city of Perth, about an hour-and-a-half train ride from here. She likened her disappointment to that when she first saw Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts; it isn't very big either.

Fortunately, she was accompanied by a Scottish friend of hers (who also was underwhelmed). They made a fun all day trip of it.

 

Medical Care

Prescription

We just had a good first experience with medical care here. After a symptom cropped up and did not go away on its own, Mike went to a local doctor, was examined, and received a prescription.

That is the same basic process as back in the US. However, for us, there is more to it than meets the eye. The UK has had one of the world's best universal healthcare systems; it aims to provide healthcare to all legal residents of the UK regardless of their ability to pay.

As US citizens, we do not qualify to use the system except in the case of an emergency. So, for all non-emergency needs, we must use a private doctor. Lucky for us, our US medical insurance policy covers us while overseas. So, Mike booked an appointment with a doctor, called our insurance company for pre-authorization, went to his appointment the very next day, was examined, and received a prescription. That's right, he only waited one day; don't think that has ever happened back in the US. Better yet, since the doctor he went to is on our insurance provider's list, he did not have to pay; they will bill our insurance directly. How nice.

 

How Exciting?

Clothes Horse

How exciting. Not Really. But doing laundry is a part of the lifestyle we are living here in Edinburgh. Fortunately, our flat does have a washer/dryer built in to the counter in the kitchen (a separate laundry room is a luxury not commonly enjoyed here). Read on to hear about the mundane topic of laundry.

Laundry loads are quite small, an armful at a time at most. And, it takes a long time to do that armload, an hour and a half for the wash. Caution, drying anything beyond damp results in wrinkle city. Really, we have never seen laundry that wrinkled, worse than the face of a Shar Pei.

Fortunately, we have a clothes horse (see photo). AKA drying racks, airers, clothes maidens, or winterdykes. Now, there is a name for you, winterdykes. In Scotland, the word "dyke" means a wall or a fence made without mortar that was occasionally used for hanging laundry in the summer months. Hence the winter dyke refers to drying in the colder weather months.

Interesting how we, accustomed to US standard of living, can be having such a great time living in a European (lower) standard of living. Clue:  it isn't about the physical features of where we live. It is all about how we spend our time. Lifestyle.

 

Pubs

Standing Order

Pubs are an important part of the culture here in Scotland and throughout the UK. Many of the pubs are independently owned and operated, some are owned by large beer brewing companies, and some are part of a chain. The largest pub chain in the UK, by far, is Weatherspoon. There are 800 of these pubs, each and every one housed in a converted historical building of some sort.

We recently stopped for lunch at one of the Weatherspoon pubs in Edinburgh, the Standing Order (see photo). It is housed in a former Union Bank of Scotland building. The building was built in the late 1870s in a neo-classical style; it retains features from its banking past, including an original Chubb vault. 

It Rained Again

Digestive Biscuits

Well, it rained a second time. No matter, all in our hill walking club, including us, are happy to be out in any weather. We have waterproof jackets (sometimes referred to as a "mackintosh"), waterproof pants (called "trousers" here), and waterproof covers for our daypacks (called "rucksacks" here).

On this particular hill walk, Mike brought along several packages of Digestive Biscuits, which he surprised everyone by handing out during lunch. By the way, the word "biscuits" refers to cookies. And these particular cookies were developed here in Scotland in 1839 by two doctors to aid digestion.

Arthur's Seat

Highest Point

We enjoyed walking up to the highest point in Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat (see photo). It is popular as can be. As with so many names here in Scotland, which go back centuries, the origin of "Arthur's Seat" is clouded. Most historians discount the obvious reference to legendary King Arthur. Instead, they support it being a corruption of the Gaelic phrase "Ard-na-Said," which translates to "Height of Arrows."

On the day we were there, massive preparations were underway for he Royal Family's annual Scottish tour. From the top of Authur's Seat we could clearly see the Palace of Holyrood house in Edinburgh where they will stay and where multiple days of pomp will occur. We are still waiting for an invitation...

 

Passed The Test

National Park

Thankfully, Mike passed the test. He led his first hill walk with our club. Twenty-three people joined his walk, and the same number finished his walk; including both Beth and William. That is a bit of a joke, in a Scottish sort of way. The unserious rule in hill walking is that the leader can declare success if he/she finishes the walk having lost fewer than 10% of the walkers.

Seriously, Mike enjoyed leading the group over a 10-mile point-to-point route that included 1,600 feet of elevation gain and loss. He had done a recce of the walk a couple of weeks ago. The hill walk was in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, one of two national parks in Scotland. The views were stunning (see photo). He looked after both the faster and slower walkers, took coffee and "comfort" breaks, and picked a scenic spot for lunch (where he surprised everyone by providing a big bag of chocolate cookies). He even shared a couple of interesting historical facts along the way (thank you, Wikipedia). 

Symphony

Season Finale

Great performance. We enjoyed the season finale of the Royal National Scottish orchestra at Usher Hall in Edinburgh. It was an all Shostakovich performance; the Festive Overture piece particularly struck us. As impressive as the music and venue was, the season statistics impressed us even more. Including the 2,000 who attended this performance, we learned that a total of one hundred and fifty thousand people attended the 130 performances during the season. Busy.

BBQ

Hill Walking Club Members

What a great time. Sharp contrast to the negative experience of being bummed out at the Barton Bunker. We joined 20 members of our hill walking club for their annual BBQ. Never mind the misuse of the term "BBQ;" it was really a picnic. We gathered in one of the numerous private parks in Edinburgh; a club member lives in a neighborhood that has access. In Edinburgh, there are many many public parks (more than any city in the UK); there are also many private parks.

 We brought our food; the club provided the tables, chairs, and grill. Oh yea, they also provided a seemingly endless number of bottles of wine and champagne. Nice touch for a BBQ. By now, we know and are friends with most everyone. How nice. Interestingly, a small group at the event sat together and laughed boisterously throughout the evening; Beth was either an instigator or participant. Good for her. By the way, the attached photo was taken at ten-clock at night; still plenty of daylight at this northern latitude at that hour.

Bummed Out

We were bummed out with our visit to the Barton Bunker. Even though it is but a few miles from our flat, the small amount of effort to get there was not adequately rewarded. Fortunately, the event that we signed up for at the bunker was free. Can't imaging how we would have felt if we had gone when the regular $35 admission was in effect.

We ventured inside this decommissioned WWII bunker to see a mayfly art exhibit. Fair enough. It turned out to be nothing more than a bunch of paper cutouts in the shape of mayflies that were glued to the wall and ceiling in a small claustrophobic room inside the bunker. Five minutes was more than enough for that. The bunker itself was in a complete state of ruin. Turns out that it is being used, as are the surrounding grounds, by a commune. Looked more like a trash dump to us.

On the up side, the three of us have a bit of a story to tell.
 

Soggy

Lunch Break

After about three months here in Scotland, we finally had a soaking rain. The lack of rain has been record setting. Coincidently, the day of soaking rain just happened to occur on a day when we went hill walking with our club. No matter. As they say, "there is no bad weather in Scotland, only bad clothes." And, since we have good clothes, in spite of the expression on Beth's face shown in the photo eating lunch, we enjoyed our ten miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Note that many of those miles were muddy. Doesn't get any better than this.

Boat Ride

The Forth Bridge

After the Isle of May puffin boat trip cancelation, we quickly switched to Plan B for that day. We went on a different boat trip from a different port to a different island. Great time. Our sightseeing boat left from the village of Queensferry, which is located on the Firth of Forth; that is a huge estuary flowing into the North Sea. We passed under the Forth Bridge (see photo); opened in 1890, it is was the world's first major steel structure, and it held the record as the world's longest span. Fun fact, 6.5 million rivets were used to construct the bridge.

We cruised for an hour-and-a-half during which time we stopped for another hour-and-a-half on a very small island run by the Historic Environment Scotland organization; we are members. There, we spent time in Inchcolm Abbey, Scotland’s best-preserved group of monastic buildings. We also spent time avoiding being dive-bombed or pooped on by the thousands of nesting, noisy, and very aggressive sea gulls (really).

No Puffins

Unbelievable

They did it again:  canceled our trip to the Isle of May to see the puffins. The only way to get there is via a one-and-a-half hour chartered boat ride. Access to the island is strictly limited. We were supposed to ride in a small boat operated by the Scottish Seabird Centre (organization with official responsibility for island management). When they canceled last month, the boat operator cited the weather; we thought that was a bummer. Now that they have canceled again, citing the weather, we find the explanation hard to believe.

The weather is, and has been forecast to be, warm and sunny, little to no wind, and calm seas. This is peak season on the island, thousands of puffins and thousands of other seabirds are currently there. Given the limited access and the popularity, spots on the boat book early; we booked in January. At this point, the puffin season is ending, and no spots on the boat are available anytime soon.

Recce

Hiking Friends

The standard practice in our club is for the hill walk leader to do a recce (short for reconnaissance) in preparation for every time they lead an actual hike. Mike just did a recce for the first hill walk he is leading:  a 10 mile point-to-point route with 2,000 feet of elevation gain that starts in one village and ends in another village. However, the recce for this walk had some complications.

The club will be traveling to this particular hill walk on a bus that we charter each month to transport us to somewhere remote that is not served by public transport; the bus will drop us off at the walk start location and pick us up at the walk end location. This lack of public transport is what complicated the recce. Thankfully, a generous club member, who Mike is becoming friends with, offered himself and his car for the recce. The car was parked at the walk end location. They walked toward the start location along a road and luckily caught a ride for some of that distance. Then they walked the planned route on trails through the mountains back to the car. Lots of miles. Long day. Mike said he had a great time.