The Edinburgh Promenade

The expected poor(er) (it's really not been that bad - yes, it's rained a bit, but in between there has been some nice enough weather and we still managed to do a bit of balcony gardening) weather rolled in, and that, combined with anticipation of all to be done next week in a week of travelling and conferences, persuaded me against a possible social event. Instead, I had to pop into work to liberate some bits and pieces I need for the week, and then we headed down to Granton and parked up, intending to wander along the promenade. Neither of us had gone far, before we'd got our blips, and then I had a phone call to make, so we retreated to the car.

I'd not heard of the Edinburgh Promenade Rubbings Trail, but when we got home I discovered that it was produced as a commission by artist Kate Ive, in conjunction with some primary school children. I thought the plaque offered a good basis for photographing the cold mass of the Firth.

The aforementioned balcony gardening involved - as a novelty for us - the purchase of nothing. We already had some potting compost left over from last year, and we just moved some plants around, and threw a couple of dead ones away, thus liberating some bigger pots for some 'potting on'. So we've potted on the yucca plant we grew from a cutting. Well we grew two, actually, and gave one away. The picture I've linked to doesn't seem to be the one we still have (which back in October 2010 had no leaves at all), but it certainly gives an impression of how small it was. And here they are again, after they were separated, and shortly before we gave one of them away. I think tomorrow I might blip its current state for a thorough compare and contrast.

The balcony is still a bit lacking in colour, notably because we didn't do any instant gardening this year, thus enriching the garden centre. Once again the camellia hasn't flowered, but it has been lectured to regarding its failings. Nor did the forsythia. Ditto. The lilies should be good, but they traditionally save their best for when we are away. We should also get geraniums and fuschias, but we'll have to wait some time, because the plants all died back dramatically and were late to flourish after the cold snap in March and April. But there is certainly no shortage of greenery on the balcony, which is doubtless why we are the favourite place for the pigeons to spend quality time.