I stayed up to 3 AM to watch my Patriots win the SuperBowl. Again. Tom Brady is called the GOAT in New England which stands for Greatest of All Time. Since the lad needs to find a surgeon to attach a sixth finger to hold all the rings he’s won, the name fits. Thanks, ‘Riots, I’d have hated to stay up so late for a loss! A long train ride (over 500 miles) gave time to sleep.
I like to pop into the National Gallery whenever I’m in Edinburgh, lately 2-3 times a year. I’m always looking for this:
Finally, after multiple frustrating visits, my favorite painting of all things Scottish is on display in the National Gallery. You may be familiar with his Monarch of the Glen which is currently on display in London. Or his lions surrounding Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square, I don’t know why but I have always loved this one the best.
Another thing I like to do in town is go to the Scottish Parliament and sit in for FM Question time. This was the 3rd or 4th time. One of Edinburgh’s most interesting buildings is the the Parliament Building @ Holyrood. FM question time is on Thursdays but this time Nicola Sturgeon is in America signing a co-operative climate agreement with New Jersey. The state wants to tap into Scotland’s expertise in tidal energy, a subject that Scotland is the world’s leader, so her deputy John Swinney will be handling FMQT today & I have a ticket to the regular session. Should be interesting.
The building has to be one of , if not the, most unusual government headquarters in the world. It was designed by Spanish architect, Enric Miralles. I was put off the first time I saw it but it’s grown on me and now I find it quirky and unique, not weird.
I was surprised at Swinney’s humour. Both self -deprecating and cutting. One of the main topics today was the tree planting scheme (Scheme in the UK means plan, nothing nefarious) which will see millions of trees planted across the country. As I witnessed the proceedings I recalled the words of former Speaker of the US House Tip O’Neil. “All politics is local.” I’m staying in the Newington section of Edinburgh so there will be a few pubs to visit along the way. My favorite is the Abbey Bar on S. Clerk. The craic is always good. There always seems to be a game on. The prices are reasonable and the food is grand.
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