CAMERA OBSCURA

Backblipped - photo taken on the 8th - written on the 9th.

Trip to Edinburgh to take G for a hospital appointment at St John's Hospital in Livingston.

Got up at the crack of dawn (well 6.00 am, which is very early for me these days).  Parked at Oxenholme with no problems and train was on time going.  Good journey.  

G and I were hoping for the short stroll from Waverley to the Scottish National Gallery cafe for a coffee via part of Princes Street Gardens.  Unfortunately they are dismantling everything from the Christmas Market so it was closed.  We walked (as best as G could) via Princes Street and got lost in the building as normal entrances were shut.  We got there eventually.  

We then caught a train to Livingston North (only about 20 minutes and 4 stops).  Then a short taxi to the hospital.  Taxi driver was superb, very helpful both with getting G into the cab and on where to go within the hospital.  

The hospital is huge.  We had an hour to spare so found a coffee shop on the ground floor, but nowhere to sit so we tried to find the on the 2nd floor.  Got in wrong lift first of all - it goes to right floor but a different section apparently.  We eventually found it and shared a mocha and a small sandwich.  Then found our way back to the waiting area for his appointment in Outpatients 4.

Hospitals are far too hot for outpatients, we all arrive for the cold outside but the heat inside is far too high. Still at least we didn't have long to wait, we were only about 10 minutes behind G's appointment time.

The young Dr/Specialist whom G saw was excellent, very informative and helpful.  He now has to wait for anything up to about 6 weeks for a small surgical procedure, so I will be going up again when that day arrives.

After this we called the lovely Taxi driver again to come and collect us and we caught the train back to Waverley - there is one every 20 minutes.  Went to The Ivy On The Square for a late lunch and had non-alcohol cocktails, very delicious and a lovely lunch.

Went for a stroll down George Street and then down Hannover Street  for me to take some photos.  This skyline caught my eye as it is a little different to the normal Emboro skyline.  It is of the Camera Obscura on the right, lit up as it was now dusk with the top of the Royal Scottish Academy on the left with various buildings off the Royal Mile inbetween.  Appropriately flying The Saltire.

G escorted me to Waverley to catch my train (he then gets a taxi back home).  My train departed just a little late but was making up time nicely.  However when we got to Carlisle The Train Manager said there was a small technical problem so everything had to close down and be re set up  again, which meant we were plunged into darkness for a couple of minutes.  This all took about 5 minutes or so which meant I arrived back in Oxenholme about 15 minutes late (not too bad really).

He is due to visit us at the end of February but this may be re-jigged depending on his next appointment.  Fingers crossed for that.

Thank you for dropping by again, stay safe all and see you all tomorrow.  I have put a silhouette of the more recognised skyline in the extras.