Old tech

When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.

Feeling rough, I squeeze a spare mattress into the car, along with a selection of stuff we bought months ago for the previous flat-that-fell-through. Then into Edinburgh for a physio appointment (knee), followed by a leisurely poorly across the bridge.

Claire and I cart the things to the top floor. This is the first time we’ve been in since the viewing and it soon becomes clear that the boiler is going to preclude one of the changes that Claire had been hoping to make. Oh well ...

We look at the antique stove in the kitchen - a Holyrood #2. It hails from a time when heavy tech was made locally. This came from across the water, probably by boat. It must have been a struggle to get to the 3rd floor and it will be a pain to take out. I guess someone will want it (although it is missing two doors) or maybe it will just go for scrap.

Hamish and Rob arrive at four, and Hamish moves in. We’ve owned the flat for less than a day and already we are hosting the family. Result!

We go to the Harbour View for a snack and a drink and have a truly awful experience. Black sweet potato chips, desiccated burger, dry nachos. Somethings not right in the kitchen. Plus, when I order a Bloody Mary they come back saying they don’t have the ingredients. Finally, a bottle of Lea & Perrins is found and I nip out to the corner shop for Tabasco. Gruesome.