There are places on Earth that have captivated me utterly. Jerusalem did, years ago, as have Manaus in Brazil, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris, PoreÄ, Tallin, and Rome.
But an extended locked-down living in Edinburgh has been comparable to no other experience Iâve known. It creeps up on you, quietly but certainly. My neighbour has spoken to me of its being full of mystery, beguiling and enchanting. I agree. Itâs the kind of place youâve long felt you might like to have a day out to sometime and then you notice the sea air – somehow unexpected. And seagulls in the city centre. And a thousand little coffee / eating places to look forward-to post-lockdown. And the promise of Spring. And the delighted squeals of adults and children alike, careering down the Crags in Holyrood Park on sledges. And that you live a few doors away from a genuine Scotch Whisky distillery. And that if you stand on the hill right next to home you can see the Castle just above you. And the light. The ever-changing sunrise to sunset spectrum of light. And the special light, the architectâs dream, the light of the Edinburgh night.
And you realise that your âday outâ could very easily turn into a lifetime out and about – in the little Closes, and the grand gardens, and the museums, and the afternoon teas. And the not thinking to turn on the television news because the skyâs always telling of something more encouraging. Something has happened to me in Edinburgh – slowly, certainly, and even within the limiting context of Covid-related âlockdown.â Yes, something has happened to me – and itâs good.
But I think itâs going to take more than a âday outâ – or even the gloriously unexpected, unanticipated and extended stay Iâve enjoyed thus far, to work out, fully, quite what đâïž
The light. The light. Ah, the light …
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Oh Simon, Edinburgh sounds captivating. Itâs a city I have always wanted to visit, and you have heightened my desire. Delighted that you are experiencing this enchanting respite in the midst of these difficult pandemic times (and sharing it with all of us!) đ xo
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Hey Lori – itâs truly serendipitous that Iâve wound up at such a time in such a place. Iâm hoping that my windinmywheels Muse will stay close here too. Itâs funny with writing, isnât it? Sometimes it just flows and at others thereâs just the contours of the riverbed. But I feel thereâll turn out to be plenty to write about here. Hugs & love đxx
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Absolutely, Simon. Sometimes the words pour out of me, and other times itâs like pulling teeth. So happy you have this respite in such a beautiful place!đ
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Thank you Lori đ. How are the winter temperatures with you? x
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Can I share a bit of this please in my Edinburgh brochure of course with attribution? it’s wonderful!
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With pleasure! Thank you. Hope youâre both thriving đ
Please attribute to
âcaptivatingâ – windinmywheels.com
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