A Sunlit Stroll in Athens
It was a blisteringly hot day in Athens when we were walking around the ruins of the old city when I saw this woman in a bright yellow jumpsuit approach. That yellow colour jumped out at me, but it was only later I noticed the man behind her carrying her bag. Is that a charging…
A Visitor’s Perspective of the Hagia Sophia
Another tourist watches for a moment before taking her own photo with her phone, inside the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Non Muslims are restricted in where they can go now because it was turned back into a mosque again in 2020. This was on the morning after I spent the day in bed recovering from…
Scottish Skyline: From Spires to Bridges
A beautiful sunset pictured from our apartment in Edinburgh a few weeks ago. The weather was glorious that week! It hardly rained at all! Did you know that the Forth Bridge, visible just left of centre, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the world’s longest cantilever railway bridge when it opened in 1890?…
The Sandal Seller of Athens
Off Monastiraki Square, Athens, along a narrow street filled with small shops, I found a man leaning on the door of his shoe shop.
A Tartan Souvenir Moment
A woman inspects a set of playable junior bagpipes that her husband bought in a nearby tourist store near Edinburgh Castle, Scotland. She smiles, but I’m not sure if she’s happy. 😉 Did you know, the bagpipes, often considered Scotland’s national instrument, actually have ancient origins that trace back to the Middle East before finding…
A Burst of Yellow in Edinburgh Traffic
A yellow bus following a yellow Tesla taxi caught my eye on the streets of Edinburgh recently. Most of the Teslas I saw there were white! A bold move by the taxi driver. I wonder if they have the “I bought it before Elon went crazy” bumper sticker on the back. I presume not. Elon…
A Selfie with Deacon Brodie
What! You’re looking at your phone! I imagine Deacon Brodie would be amazed at technology today. Apparently he was a “respected cabinetmaker by day and a burglar by night, making him one of Edinburgh’s most notorious historical figures”
Edinburgh’s Public Square of Conscience
Several years ago, I came across Anonymous for the Voiceless in Cork, and I’ve seen them demonstrate a few times since. I saw them in Edinburgh last week when they had a small demonstration, surrounded by young people. “Anonymous for the Voiceless (AV) is an animal rights organisation specialising in edifying the public on the…
Through the Window: Edinburgh Reflections
A single, solitary table inside an empty office. A glass jar sits on the table, waiting for the next business to come and rent the room. Maybe a parting gift from the previous occupant?
Selfies and Red Phone Boxes at Edinburgh Castle
When you walk in the first gates of Edinburgh Castle you’ll spot two iconic red telephone boxes. I was delighted to see a father and daughter posing for a selfie which made for a nice candid photo. 🙂 Did you know that iconic red telephone box was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott?
Visitors in The Great Hall
The Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle is a popular part of the castle, with visitors milling around throughout the day. Here’s some info about the hall that I got from Perplexity. Sources are linked and makes for an interesting read. I was surprised it didn’t mention that Oliver Cromwell preserved the roof when he had…
Rooftop Sunrise in Edinburgh
One of the good things about an early flight is getting up early to see the sunrise. That was me yesterday morning, when the world outside was mostly asleep, but I was preparing to head to the airport in Edinburgh for a flight to Cork.