Diplomatic Relations

Took a few more boxes of assorted stuff to the charity shop this morning. JR noticed some of my blouses, possibly expensive at the time, hanging up with £5 on them - she didn’t know I had donated them this week and thinks I might need them… She was about to protest loudly in the shop, but I hustled her out.

In town we came across some wee girls dancing in St Andrews Square. I was delighted to catch them, but then realised there was an even bigger event on the other side - tents, a stage and lots of colourful people. A blipper’s bliss!

Turns out it was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the UK, the Vietnamese Important Person told us. He declared that Scotland and Vietnam have a lot in common - our sense of humour is the same, he declared, (maybe they have the Broons and Oor Wullie albums as well) and they love whisky! Well, that’s a start.

There were half a dozen of the tallest, thinnest most impossibly beautiful models in the most gorgeous colourful costumes. They floated around and when they reached the general public who were all shapes and sizes, but mainly short, podgy, peely-wally, scruffy and not particularly beautiful, (and I include myself in this of course) - they looked like aliens from another planet!! They assembled for an official photo with the Scottish Important Person (he was wearing a chain of office) while the dancing was going on.

As we left, a chap was on stage playing some sort of stringed instrument with a bow. And yes, there was a similarity there too - there were a few several screechy notes that really grated on the ears, just like some of our very own lone bagpipers on the Mile...

We proceeded to John Lewis to have a look at chairs, tables, sofa beds, rugs etc. A whole new department of JL that now needs JR’s undivided attention. However, I soon got fed up and a scone and cuppa were needed.

A whole load of new students are moving in. For the first time ever, they came and knocked on the door and introduced themselves. Maybe because I’d already met one of them out at the car and given her a pile of clip frames. Three young chaps on the other side. The students have never been much bother, just the odd party in 13 years here. I think they’re all so serious now and work so hard they don’t have time for larking around.

I had trouble choosing my photo for today, but in the end plumped for this one showing how the models stood out from the ordinary folk. And please note, aspiring models, - this is obviously the way to pose.

PS: Reprieve for MacTaggart and Chagall and Jane Evans posters…

PPS: JR has just come home. We won a prize in the raffle - a dozen Saigon beers! But she was too embarrassed to go up on stage to get them! Mind you, if we'd won the Main Prize - flights to Vietnam- I like to think there would not have been a problem.