Saughton Gardens

For unknown reasons my fancy sewing machine has decided to go on strike and refuses to lower the foot (this is necessary to grip the fabric and maintain the correct tension) so today it went to the mender's. In a couple of weeks' time my purse will weigh considerably less

Travelling from there we took a look at the restored Saughton Gardens, admiring the new glasshouse and restored bandstand, and examined the sundial situated in the centre of the renowned rose garden.

Dating from the C17 and restored in 1899, it is described by rcahms.gov.uk as a baluster sundial on stepped base. Around the centre are four cherub's heads below four sundials; the top is carved with foliate forms. There are inscriptions around the four sides of the base  Around the second step from the ground, it is inscribed "Bless ye the Lord and praise him and magnify him forever o ye light and darkness".


The four inscriptions mentioned above read: 
 Alas how fleeting  while thou lookest I fly: Goa bou tyo urb us in ess. 1899. (sic) (= go about your business).
As a shadow so doth life pass: Tak tent o time ere time be tint. 
How quickly the pleasant days have passed away: To die is to live.
I mark but the hours of sunshine: God is light.  

Best of all, the time is correct for GMT