Thursday 25 May 2023
We got home at 22:50 last night and it was still light enough to see outdoors without a torch. This morning, the sun has been up since 04:45 and everything is looking lovely. The grass that was cut on Sunday appears to now be ready for mowing again and it feels like a load of leaves have burst open overnight. I’m glad lovely weather has been laid on for Annie and Tony’s visit, they have had the best weather for a stay of anyone who’s visited.
The four of us went to Edinburgh for the day yesterday, another sunny day. We went to Valvona & Crolla, an Italian deli that’s been running since 1934. There is something very satisfying about an old-fashioned deli where everything is beautifully displayed, not a speck of dust in sight, and there is a sense of history. The ingredients all looked so good that we decided to have lunch. Wow, really good food. I had a nutty pesto with pasta and a very good tiramisu with chunks of caramelised chestnut.
Over the day, we walked between everywhere, only catching a bus to our last stop. We went into the Georgian house museum on Charlotte Square and down to Stockbridge for a shopping errand I had but also to see a nice, non-touristy area and sit down for a coffee. Shortly after half-five, we met a friend of ours, Ciaran, who happened to be working in Edinburgh this week. The five of us sat for a while in Greyfriars Kirkyard before heading to Solti, a Nepalese restaurant, for dinner. I think the fact of a group of us meeting up made me feel very much like we really do live up here now.
The drive back from Tweedbank station at dusk was enjoyable. I didn’t see it but an owl flew past us, bats were flying around, Tony spotted deer by the river and we followed a hare about one hundred metres down the road until it decided to move out the way and let us pass. When we pulled up at the front gate, I got out to open the gate and appreciated a lovely earthy smell. It was good to be back in the middle of nowhere, the clean air and a lovely clear view of a fingernail-moon and the bright light of venus, followed soon after by an amazing display of stars.
As ever, I loved having a city fix. As ever, I loved getting back to the house. Most of all, it was a joy spending time with friends in two amazing places. And eating good quality Italian and Nepalese food.