Scotland the brave; Iain reports in

Delighted to have heard from Iain and fairly astonished that he has written nothing libelous and I can copy in full, here below. Further Scottish news is that Steve may be coming to stay... watch this space:)

Well that was all very nice. Edinburgh suddenly turned into a southern European capital. Relentless sunshine and reasonably high temperatures for a week. Sadly seems to be over now but it is good to see Edinburgh people find that they have a neck rather than a head pushed in to their shoulders. Of course it could be that that was summer and we have to wait till next year for it to return but no matter it was fun. That is the pessimist in me but to be honest I’m not feeling particularly pessimistic even though the news is filled with the start of the pro independence referendum campaign.

I have this deeply depressing fear that the SNP and Salmond in particular are going to run the best campaign by far. His appearances have appeared measured and he looks as though he is in control. The pro unionists have been caught on the back foot again. The problem is they are a coalition who don’t really like each other. The labour party should be taking the lead but they have a new leader who is virtually unknown and she is unlikely to raise her profile any time soon. The worst thing that could happen is for Westminster politicians to look as though they are leading the campaign. There is talk that Alaister Darling could lead them and that would probably be the best outcome but I suspect he would need to move out of the Westminster Parliament to do it. I’ve been looking to see what I can join but not found anything yet so I am as bad as the rest of the noes.

Our choral concert was a triumph and was sold out. I found the whole thing quite uplifting, whatever that means. Never joined anything before so it was a first for me. We have another concert late in the summer during the festival so I expect there’s a lot of new songs to learn. I’ve even started singing in the shower. Perhaps I’m going through some sort of change.

Life here is much as ever which to be fair is good. Went to see Danza Contemporanea de Cuba last week which was brilliant and rather exciting and not only because the men were blessed with thighs that could choke a bear. Going to Tosca on Saturday with Steve, Rudigore next week and Porgy and Bess by the Capetown Opera the following week. All great fun and all the better because I’ve never seen Porgy and Bess.

Great exhibitions this summer, Van Gogh to Kandinsky: Symbolist Landscape in Europe, Picasso and Modern British Art and the Edvard Munch, Gundersen Collection. The city seems as busy as ever so hard to see many signs of tight budgets. The pound rising might make it a bit more expensive but they still seem to be coming. Steve runs one of the city’s top restaurants and he seems busier than ever.

The bloody trams are still not here yet. To be honest I’m not bothered about the trams I just want the work to be finished. It is a nightmare to get around the city by car.  I only use the car to collect the dogs but they keep on digging somewhere new and redirecting us.  Sadly it has all turned into a great farce, particularly as it is now only go from the Airport (nearly) to the east end of Princes Street.  They spent two years digging up Leith for bugger all.

I hope you are all well and basking in glorious sunshine.

Thanks Iain, its clear that you still miss us, hurumph.
Don't forget Tillings cultural event tomorrow, everyone - Jills expo in Rennes-les-Bains -