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 Iāve 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. Itās the kind of place youāve 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 architectās dream, the light of the Edinburgh night.
And you realise that your āday outā 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 skyās always telling of something more encouraging. Something has happened to me in Edinburgh – slowly, certainly, and even within the limiting context of Covid-related ālockdown.ā Yes, something has happened to me – and itās good.
But I think itās going to take more than a āday outā – or even the gloriously unexpected, unanticipated and extended stay Iāve enjoyed thus far, to work out, fully, quite what šāļø
The light. The light. Ah, the light …
more at gardenstudiogram
Oh Simon, Edinburgh sounds captivating. Itās 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!) š xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Lori – itās truly serendipitous that Iāve wound up at such a time in such a place. Iām hoping that my windinmywheels Muse will stay close here too. Itās funny with writing, isnāt it? Sometimes it just flows and at others thereās just the contours of the riverbed. But I feel thereāll turn out to be plenty to write about here. Hugs & love šxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely, Simon. Sometimes the words pour out of me, and other times itās like pulling teeth. So happy you have this respite in such a beautiful place!š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lori š. How are the winter temperatures with you? x
LikeLike
Can I share a bit of this please in my Edinburgh brochure of course with attribution? it’s wonderful!
LikeLike
With pleasure! Thank you. Hope youāre both thriving š
Please attribute to
ācaptivatingā – windinmywheels.com
LikeLike