edinburgh

I've just had an unexpected few days in Edinburgh. What a city it is, I never cease to be amazed by it. Arthur's seat, seeing the sea from the Bridges, the Castle Mound, that long view over the Waverley and Princes Street Gardens. I feel so much more affection for Edinburgh than I do for Dublin, my home town.  Not so pleased about the proliferation of tartan tat shops. Were they there when I was a student? I don't remember so many.

We went to the Dovecote and saw the Wendy Ramshaw show. I appreciate her rigour and liked the early jewellery and large scale work but the Room of Dreams didn't transport me - it was good to see in any case.  Unfortunately it was after 3pm so we weren't able to go to the viewing gallery and see the weavers working. (Open noon till 3pm).  Another day we popped into the City Art Centre where we saw the Derek Williams collection, the highlight for me being  an Ivon Hitchens ( Arched Trees) and a little Lowry - can't remember the title - of a boat with an island behind it. Dark and flat and empty. I don't think I've ever seen a Lowry in the flesh before.

Of course no visit to Edinburgh could possibly be contemplated without a visit to the Kalpna - so we did - twice!