Saskia

A few weeks ago after I’d finished my exams, one of my dear friends Saskia came to visit me in Edinburgh after she’d finished her AS Levels. Without wanting to sound like I’m gushing, Saskia is one of the most incredible people I know. I’ve known her for about 5 or 6 years now and have had the privilege of being alongside her and seeing her grow up in age and maturity in her faith. I loved being her mentor and I am delighted to call her my friend now. 

Anyway, enough of that. Saskia was lucky enough to visit Edinburgh during Scotland’s summer. It only lasts for a week, but when it comes it’s a good one. So we had glorious sunshine all weekend. We drank juice in Princes Street Gardens (Sunshine in a Cup and Whirling Dervish) from Hula Juice Bar, (a recent discovery thanks to my friend Daisy). That evening we made a delicious summer-y dinner and had a few friends over to enjoy it with a movie. 

The next day we explored the National Museum of Scotland, especially the roof terrace where a kind gentleman offered to take our photo. We ambled down the Royal Mile as is customary for anyone visiting Edinburgh. We stopped in at the High Kirk of St Giles and enjoyed their short service of prayer. The lighting was gorgeous streaming through the stained glass window behind the organ. We continued along our way to the bottom of the Royal Mile to have a picnic outside the Scottish Parliament buildings.

Our next stop was an essential. I don’t think I can describe how central tea-drinking is to mine and Saskia’s friendship. Whenever I visit her we sit and drink copious amounts of tea, and I mean copious. I barely finish a cup before the kettle is back on. We are serious tea drinkers. So as soon as I knew Saskia was visiting I planned to take her to Eteaket. It’s a fairly small tea boutique and café just off George Street. I love visiting there for the mismatched tea cups and saucers, proper tea leaves and timers to ensure we brew the perfect cup of tea. I had a pot of Life’s a Peach, while Saskia embraced all things Scotland with the Scottish Breakfast Tea, claiming this made her Scottish now! We enjoyed some of the scrummy fruit tea loaf alongside it. I was so happy to take Saskia there!

That evening Saskia well and truly embraced Scotland in all its glory and went to her first ever ceilidh at my church. We danced the Dashing White Sergeant, the Eightsome Reel and Strip the Willow. Saskia was a pro! 

Her final day in Edinburgh was a trip to my church here and a rest before she caught the train and I waved her goodbye. We had a brilliant time and I loved every minute of it.

The Pentlands

Finishing my final year at the University of Edinburgh seemed like the perfect time to finally explore the Pentland Hills, just south of the city, with my friends Emma and Fiona. Early on a Monday morning the three of us hopped on a bus (£1.50 return, cheap date!) south to explore. 

There was quite a mist when we first arrived, in fact we couldn’t even see the hills! But we didn’t let that stop us. We set off on a walk near Flotterstone, past the reservoirs and some boats, which were unfortunately only for people going fishing! We walked up a (small!) hill, rewarded ourselves with some homemade lemon drizzle cake; ambled back down and had a picnic lunch! 

All in all it was a great way to celebrate freedom from exams, to be able to wander in the sunshine with good friends and only a few miles outside of the city.

North Berwick

Last week one of my dear friends Angi returned to Edinburgh for a visit. I abandoned the library (almost!) for an entire week and we had a wonderful few days of touristy fun. We drank a lot of coffee and ate a lot of cake in the various haunts of Edinburgh. I could probably write a book on places to eat cake and drink coffee in Edinburgh!

On the Friday we took a trip to North Berwick, just outside of Edinburgh. In the nearly four years that I've lived here I've never made it over there, but have always wanted to. The day was gloriously sunny and incredibly windy! Before we hitched a ride to the beach, we climbed up the Crags and I was certain I'd get blown off at one point!







Then on we went to North Berwick to sit in a tea shop, naturally, and frolic about on the beach. We had a lot of fun wandering up and down the beach and town. It was such a breath of fresh air, literally, to get out of the city and just blow away the cobwebs. I'd recommend it to anyone!







Finally, we had a root around the charity shops. In Oxfam I was delighted to find two lonesome M&S stacking cups to replace two of mine that had been broken... now I have a full set of four again (it's the small joys in life!!) And then I bought an entire tea set of, what I think is fake Churchill stuff, for less than a fiver! It may not be the real deal but I think it's really pretty and I'm looking forward to using it for my birthday next week. Maybe one day I'll get the real stuff.