Blizzard of 2010?

Edinburgh continues to be slammed by some unusual winter weather and I continue to be mesmerized by the snow and the city. It snowed pretty continually all last week before stopping over the weekend. It seemed the worst was behind us when the city (country, really) woke Monday morning to heavily falling snow that didn't stop for 7 hours! As I've said before, Edinburgh--and much of Scotland--isn't really equipped to deal with snowfall like this, as it just doesn't happen often (I honestly have seen backhoes out clearing snow as there aren't enough plows!). So, the streets are still covered with snow and the continued accumulation just results in more and more disruption (trains aren't running, buses are running reduced services, schools have been closed, the airport has been closed, workplaces are closing early and opening late). There are even avalance warnings as people flock to Arthur's Seat and the Pentlands for some sledging and skiing!

Inverleith Park

Water of Leith

It is pretty crazy here and I think a lot of people are getting tired of the disruption to travel and daily life. Still, it's interesting to see how things go on. People are routinely making 2 hour walks to work, if they can't get a bus or drive and, although there are some grumbles, people seem to be taking it in stride and just getting on with things. I think it has brightened people's days as well, and have noticed a lot of people stopping to chat, take pictures, and just enjoy the surroundings. Most people seem to be having fun with it.

The snow has even brought out some unexpected visitors! Today, at work, while on the phone with a client, I noticed something moving outside my window (my office is on the ground floor and my desk overlooks a little patio). I'm so glad my camera was handy so I could capture a picture of this fine fellow.

Mr. Fox

For my part, I've been trying to get out every day, even if I don't have to go to work. It's nice to slow down a bit and to take things in. And, there is something about the snow that just makes this city even more charming and transports you to another time. I just love it. Last week, I took a walk through Inverleith Park and it started to sleet/heavily snow. I ran into a few folks walking their dogs and we had a laugh about how their dogs are so enjoying the snow!

Swans in Inverleith Pond
This is the only unfrozen section, so they were all huddled here together. What you can't see in this picture is a couple of girls feeding them and their dog who was only a couple of feet away from the swans. Didn't really seem to deter anyone!

Inverleith Park

View into the city from Inverleith

Dean Parish Church

Dean Village

New College

Snow person (a little melted)

I promise to stop posting about the snow! I am just so enchanted by it. Has it started snowing where you are?

Moving

I don't think I've mentioned this on the blog, but we are moving this weekend. Not far, just up the hill and to the West End of town. But, moving still. The owners of our flat decided early in the fall to sell the flat and so we were given notice that we'd eventually need to move. We decided to start looking in September and if the right flat came up, we'd go for it. Well, a flat did come up that fit many of our needs/wants and so we decided to act on it. And, so we are now moving from our dear flat in Dean Village.

I probably haven't said anything about it because I am just so sad to be moving from this particular flat. I love Dean Village (hello charm and beauty!) and I love this flat. I like to think of myself as adaptable and I don't usually get attached to places and things (I mean, I have moved a fair number of times by this point and can't ever remember being too worked up over it). Although, this is an unsolicited change (I did not ask for this--in fact, I imagined spending our entire time in Edinburgh in this flat) and I do know that I don't usually have immediate openness to unsolicited changes.

The most picturesque place I have ever lived!

But, really, it's more than that. This has been our first home in Edinburgh and in many ways it the first home that is ours (Joe moved into my St. Louis apartment for the first year we were married). This charming little place has been our sanctuary through the joys--and trials--of expatriating, making new friends, starting new studies, new work, developing our relatively new marriage, and--well--just life. This sweet place has hosted our first visitors from the states, new friends for dinners, farewell parties, cook-outs, game nights, and holidays. It's been filled with laughter, fellowship, quiet, conversation, some tears, and lots of fun. It's really just been home. Which is a blessing seeing as we are so far from "home" right now.

Home

We've actually moved everything out today, but I am insisting on spending one last night here. I just really don't want to leave.

I'll post about the move (read: adventure) and the new place once I've grieved this one and settled into the new one. In the meantime, tell me about the place that's most been home to you and what made it so.

More snow!

Well, it keeps snowing. Schools have been closed two days, the airport has shut down twice in 24 hours, trains and buses are delayed and canceled. It's a bit mad. But, it sure is beautiful.

The Meadows

Arthur's Seat

From our living room window

View from the dining room

I'm not sure why, but this snow is making me positively giddy. I love, love, love it. Love walking in it, love throwing snow balls at a certain someone, love seeing everything all covered in snow, love watching it fall. Just love it.

What is your favorite thing about snow?

Snow Biking

What happens when your typical mode of transport is cycling and it's been snowing for days? Apparently, for the craziest most committed of cyclists, this means snow biking. Snow biking, you ask? It's nothing fancy. Just cycling in the snow. And, it's hard core.

Today, my boss had the audacity to declare the office open thus requiring us to make the trek to work (before deciding to close down early). Being that I can tend toward the all or nothing kind of thinking, I decided to bundle up and cycle out. I'm just that bad-ass.

Pictorial proof that I had my bike at work today!

The main roads weren't bad. Slushy. Imagine 8 inches of snow cleared away by grit (read: sand and gravel) and continuous road use. Slush to the max. But, not icy and manageable on the bike. The tricky parts were the few side roads I had to use and that all-or-nothing thinking that required me to at least try to stay on the bike (which, I might say, I managed for the most part). I imagine all those people staring were doing so in admiration of my extreme dedication.

Snow covered office

Fortunately, my office is adjacent to a hospital, so the route to work was fairly clear. That is until I hit the end of the hospital, when I was confronted by 50 yards of 12+ inches of untouched snow. I walked. Tredged, more like it, through the snow, lugging my bike along with me. Fun times.

View from the front door. Note: not shoveled. At all.

I'm ready to give it a go again tomorrow, though am now thinking that the lady I saw cross country skiing to work may have the better idea!

Oxford, Part 1

Awhile back, Joe had a paper accepted to a conference in Oxford and since he was making the journey, I decided I should as well! It was extra fun as friends of ours were also heading down for the same conference, so we got to travel there with Katy and Jeremy and see some of the sights with them as well!

Oxford is, obviously, most well known for being the home of Oxford University, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities (it is actually the 3rd oldest university in the world and the oldest English speaking institution; teaching here dates back to the 11th century). Interestingly, the University is made up of 38 colleges, each with it's own facilities and internal structure. Some of the well known colleges include Christ Church College, New College, Balliol College, Magdalen College, and All Souls College. Each consists of their own buildings, usually surrounded by a wall and many have lovely scenery and walking paths. I'm not sure how long it would take you to visit every college, but we tried to visit as many as we could in the few days were were there (in addition to some beautiful churches and other sights).

The architecture throughout Oxford is clearly breathtaking. The buildings are magnificent and the grounds are simply stunning. It is an absolutely picturesque town to visit. Not to mention incredibly historic.

Christ Church College
Founded in 1546, this is one of the most stunning colleges we visited. Really awe-inspiring. We must not be the only ones to think so, as this was used as the setting for parts of Brideshead Revisited and Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carrol was a student here and there is a great story about how the story of Alice came to be). After taking a tour of Christ Church College, we decided to come back later in the evening to attend the evensong service. The service was beautiful and we really enjoyed the chance to hear their renowned boys' choir. Definitely don't go to Oxford and miss this!

Christ Church College

Christ Church Cloisters

Christ Church Dining Hall
Hogwarts, anyone?

Christ Church College

Christ Church College

Balliol College: Founded in 1263.

Alfred Waterhouse's Chapel/Balliol College

Balliol College Fellows' Garden

Balliol College (I think)

Oxford isn't just about the University...there are also some really stunning churches, like the University Church of the Virgin Mary, Oxford's largest parish church dating back to the 1200s. It is also the site of the 1555 trial of the Oxford Martyrs (the three Protestant men were found guilty of heresy and burned at the stake just a few streets over). John Wesley preached there, as did John Henry Newman. Some interesting history here.

Looking back onto the Radcliffe Camera

I really loved the history and architecture of the city. And, the colleges just charmed me. There was so much to take in that I've decided to do two posts of the various sights! So, stay tuned!

Snow!

It snowed a bit in Edinburgh last year and everywhere we went we were told how unusual it was for Edinburgh to get snow. This weekend, we've been hearing the same tune as the always unpredictable Edinburgh weather has brought along several inches of snow--the most the city has seen in 17 years!

There was a small amount of snow when we woke up on Saturday but by Sunday morning there was a substantial accumulation all over the city. We decided to brave the cold temperatures, though, and walked to church for the 9:00am service. The city was so beautiful this morning covered with the fresh blanket of snow and with so few people out that early on a Sunday, it was like our own private winter wonderland. After church, while it continued to snow (some of the biggest flakes I have ever seen) we took a little walk to see more of the city and to marvel at just how beautiful this city really is.

Outside our front door, 8:30am

Queen Street Gardens

German Christmas Market

New College and the Norwegian Christmas Tree

Edinburgh Castle

Princes Street Gardens

Dean Gardens
Water of Leith Walkway, from Dean Bridge

Dean Village

Dean Village

We've got plans to meet up with some friends in town for some mulled wine at the German Market, later today. But, for now we are warm and cozy by this:


Has it started snowing where you are?

Happy Birthday, Mom

(Editor's Note: While working on a couple of new posts, I discovered that I made a mistake with this post and saved it rather than scheduled it for publication. Sadly, this means that it didn't get posted on my mom's actual birthday. Mom, I'm so sorry).

Happy Birthday, Mum!

Today, is my mom's ** birthday (she wouldn't like it if I said the actual age!). But, it's an important birthday and we want to give her a very special shout out on this very special day!

I'm really lucky to have such a great mom. She's lots of fun, is so encouraging, and unconditionally supportive. I could tell you lots of stories of times she's made me laugh with her wackiness (but don't worry, mom--your secrets are safe for today), comforted me with her love, and given me the support I've needed to try something new. You're a great mum and we love you very much!

Happy Birthday!

North Berwick

Back in the spring, when my parents visited, I promised a post about North Berwick, a charming little seaside village we visited and fell in love with.

Bass Rock

North Berwick is located just a short train ride outside Edinburgh, along the Firth of Forth and the North Sea. According to some history I read, North Berwick has quite a history: there is evidence of a small settlement dating back 2000 years and some evidence that there was activity in the harbor as long ago as the 8th century. The village was first recorded in the 13th century.

View from the train

North Berwick Beach

Once you alight from the train, you can meander through this quaint little town and visit the shops and cafes that line the quiet streets. At the end of the main street, you'll find a famous fish and chips shop, purported to be one of the best in all of Scotland. You can take your fish to go and eat is a delightful garden across the way.

Looking back onto the village and North Berwick Law
(the big hill in the background)

Garden where you can eat your fish and chips

North Berwick is home to other kinds of birds too!

The main attraction at North Berwick, however, is Bass Rock. This small island is situated about 1 mile off the shore in the middle of the sea and is home to literally thousands of gannets (large white birds). The rock, a typical volanic rock (rising over 350 feet), looks white from a distance due to the masses of birds making their home on it. Apparently, it was once the home of a Christian hermit, was the site on an important castle, and was a prison before being home to these birds! There is still a lighthouse and the remains of a chapel on the island and, depending on the season, you can take a boat out and explore small sections of the island.

Bass Rock

Walking on from the beach, you can follow some trails back into the island for some more stunning scenery and some beautiful views.

View from walking trail

Looking in another direction

Green space!