Big City

Well, guess what? A long, busy day.

I went over to Edinburgh mid morning to meet a very old (same age as me, and we've known each other since we were 11) friend for lunch. Good food (Mum's in Forrest Road), good gossip (not too much discussion of our ailments and medications) and a good catch-up.

Then we jumped on a bus to see a rugby game. It was a bit tedious, but not as important as spending time with a friend.

I got home just after 6pm. 

I'd arrived a little bit early for lunch so I sat down for a coffee overlooking the city. It was lovely to sit there for a while and be warm enough even out of the sun - as in the Blip. The extra is Victoria Street, which I passed and decided was worth Blipping - almost.

Shame to see a beautiful city centre strangled by traffic.

For those who are interested, some facts about May's Florence jaunt which the UK media won't mention:-
- she had no reason to be there except to make that speech;
- EU leaders were invited by the UK Government, but declined;
- the regional governor of Tuscany was invited, but declined and joined the demonstration outside instead; 
- the "audience" was made up entirely of journalists - it was just a press conference;
- they couldn't fill the room with accredited journalists, so they dragged in a few who hadn't asked for accreditation;
- whatever the merits of what she said, almost none of the UK coverage has mentioned that the rest of the EU members would have to agree to what she proposed.

In effect it was like one of the faked "events" she used during the recent UK election. What a way to conduct a negotiation...

Another insight into May's modus operandi was revealed by Scottish FM Nicola Sturgeon the other day. Even in informal one to one meetings, May has to read from a script. She makes no attempt to create a relationship.

I'd heard that about May's first meeting with Chancellor Merkel too.