Queensferry and Light Night

I’m sorry to not post much lately but we’ve not been up to much besides life. I’ve worked four shifts at Paperchase now and I really like it. All of the people are nice and friendly and the atmosphere of the store is very welcoming. I signed up for extra shifts next week and because the store gets so busy in the two weeks before Christmas I’ll have nearly full time hours coming up. Brandon’s doing well at Heller’s Kitchen and there may be other opportunities for him coming up too.

Yesterday we both had days off so we packed a lunch and caught a bus to South Queensferry. It’s a town just outside of Edinburgh and it’s famous for being situated in between the two Firth of Forth bridges. The original intention was to spend the day hiking the shoreline trail that starts near the Queensferry pier. It’s about a 5 mile hike that is supposedly really pretty. What actually happened was that we got off the bus in the old part of town, ate our lunches in the garden of a little church, and then we went to see what it looked like inside. We were welcomed in by a group who were just cleaning up their weekly coffee time. They whisked us in, gave us warm drinks and cakes, and asked us all about what we were doing here in Scotland. Then Margaret, a parishioner since the late 70’s, gave us a very informal tour around the church. It was very small but very interesting. It dates from the 14^th century and much of it is still original. We learned that when they pulled up the old slate floors ten years ago they discovered the remains of about two dozen people – some of whom they couldn’t account for or identify from church records. The bones were all sent away to Edinburgh to be analyzed and then they were re-consecrated and re-interred below the new foundations. It was so wonderful to be embraced the way we were and we left after about forty five minutes thinking that this was one of the best experiences so far.

From the church we wandered into the old town and browsed through a couple of neat little artsy shops. Then we found a way down to the shoreline where we spent a good deal of time skipping rocks, picking through mounds of seashells and talking to two swans who seemed sure we were there to feed them. Brandon finally pulled me away from the shells and we found the dock where next spring we’re going to take a ferry across to Inchcolm Island to see the ruins of an abbey that sits on there. Then we had a drink in a neat little pub, found our way back to the bus stop and came back home.

 

 

We had a quick stop in the flat to pick up Brandon’s pipes, gulp down a piece of leftover pizza each, and we were back out the door to watch Christmas come to Edinburgh. This is the place to be for Christmas, no doubt. There’s a fair in the Princes Street Gardens that runs from now until January 4^th and last night, along with about 10,000 people, we watched as the lights, decorations, and tree were turned on. I actually got all teary eyed. I don’t know if I can describe the atmosphere…it was totally magical. Imagine the sounds and scents of Stampede mixed with the sight of brightly coloured toques and kids with wide eyes. Then add huge cauldrons of mulled cider, a giant snow globe, a skating rink, Christmas crafts, baking, gourmet cheeses and cured meats, crepes with Nutella, fair rides and games, and people in a general sense of excitement. Brandon and I felt like we were in a movie. Being there last night, getting teary and emotional, felt like the reason we’re here. I’m so glad we went to see the lights and I can’t wait to go back when we have more time to just wander around and take everything in more fully. And I can’t wait till it snows…then it will truly be magic.