In the pink

That time of year appears to have come round again, and the cherry blossom is in full bloom. Before long, the golden curtain of laburnum will appear and then the crisp green of my favourite tree as it bursts into leaf. 

And to think, this is the view from my office window. At times I forget just how lucky I am about where I work and how much freedom I have. 

STOP PRESS

On my way home tonight, I just had to stop and stare in wonder at the trees literally bursting into leaf around me. There were bits of bud dropping down all around and I could smell the scent of blossom all around me. It was a beautifully balmy evening and truly wonderful to behold. 

It's strange to think that little over a month ago we had snow on the ground and here we are now with spring and almost summer on the way. It's amazing to think that without us even doing anything the world keeps turning, the seasons keep changing and what was cold and grey can be bright and colourful again. 

Amazing discoveries

I was wandering through to my hairdressers in Edinburgh when I came across this amazing open air photography exhibition in St Andrew's Square. It's part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival and features simply stunning photographs by Steve Bloom. There were so many amazing shots to choose from, but this is the one that I just loved.

Well worth a visit if you're in Edinburgh before next Saturday.If you can't get there, there's an online slide show that's well worth a look. But seeing them in real life is by far better.

Far too nice to be stuck inside...

But sadly I am.

As I sit at my desk working away, the glorious sunshine of a cold winter day tempts my attention away on a frequent basis. Too frequent!

And then I think how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful part of the world. And to have the kind of job where I can pause every now and again to enjoy the view.

Sunday morning

Sunshine, good coffee, yarn and the opportunity to eavesdrop other people's conversations. What more could a girl on holiday ask for?

This was my coffee stop this morning at the Watershed Arts Centre where I sat out on the terrace in the blazing Bristol sun, had breakfast and did a few more centimetres of my knitting. (In case you're wondering, I'm making a waistcoat with the yarn I got at Mcaree's in Stirling, who also sell online if you're interested!)

After that I wandered off to meet a friend of a friend who very kindly saved me from eating alone. We had a couple of really great mezze plates at the River Station restaurant, which (as the name suggests) is next to the water).

I then took the opportunity to work off lunch with a homage to my previous years in Bristol with a (longer than I remember) walk up Gloucester Road to where we used to live in Horfield. I completed the round trip by walking back to Whiteladies Road where I stopped for a beautiful pot of jasmine tea at a place I now can't remember the name of. Apparently the tea leaves were all handtied into pearls - but sadly not by the rather nice young man that served me my tea!

I was hoping to end the day with a visit to Bristol Old Vic to see 6 Characters in Search of an Author - but sadly it's not running on a Sunday, perhaps tomorrow night?

Oh ye of little faith

A quick pic just to prove to my sister that the weather is actually ok here in Scotland.

It's 7 pm and I'm sitting outside on my steps, in my shorts and enjoying the sunshine.

Unfortunately it means you have to see my pale and interesting legs to prove the point, but sometimes pursuit of the truth must push such inconveniences aside!

Cat meets new garden

Today was the first day since my move that I've felt brave enough to let the girl out into the back yard.

And so far she seems quite happy.

Cat gate working ok so far too!