Crab apple

I was up early but even so, before 06:00, the sky was showing signs of light. The front of the house faces south east and when I open the front room shutters I can see the dawn. At the back, though, it's still dark enough at that time of day to show off the lights on the little crab apple tree. There's a long saga of these lights but when you think of what's happening in Mariupol and other parts of Ukraine it doesn't seem right to relate such a frippery. But we all need light so here is some.

Today is momentous because we are going to Edinburgh for lunch with friends. We haven't seen them in person since August. I see my friend C. most Saturdays but only on screen. I haven't been in Edinburgh for two years. I can hardly believe that. I will be having a lovely walk over the Links and Meadows near our friends' flat and I might well have the opportunity to blip scenes from there. I decided, though, to blip early from home so that I could stay in the moment when I'm in Edinburgh. It's maybe  a missed opportunity but too bad if so.

It doesn't help people in Ukraine if I stop seeing friends and having a nice day out. It does feel like a privilege though. I'm so ashamed of the way the UK government is (mis)handling visa applications. All I can do at the moment  is give money to people or organisations which know best how to alleviate the impact of the war.