This morning when I opened my curtains I saw some snow on the ground 🙂 🙂
Super exciting, especially after writing that yesterday (Day 254) I was missing the Christmas spirit / atmosphere.
I wondered whether there was snow in Leith. It often doesn’t lie in Leith as its close to the sea, but now I live further from the sea, maybe there’s more snow in the south west of Edinburgh? But after chatting to folk, there was even a bit of snow next to the sea in Portobello.
I had a great sleep last night, Discovery, was the perfect temperature all night. I went to bed at 28 degrees and it was about 15 when I woke up. It made me realise that when it is too hot I don’t get such a good sleep.
The snow was frozen and crispy and the boat was pretty slippery as we climbed out. I am sure it will be like this for many more days through winter.
Despite the cold, I did QiGong outside.
I’ve written about it before, something lovely about being on/next to still water. There’s a magical silence and stillness.
Then we headed to the flat.
This evening I started to notice lots of Christmas decorations near the canal. Despite writing yesterday (Day 254) Edinburgh doesn’t have the same Christmas Energy and it doesn’t feel like Christmas, I correct myself.
Two of my neighbours, Fiona and Helen, have decorations on the towpath and Fiona has decorated her boat!
Face-Mask Corner
Today we have Jacob.
Jacob bought his face-mask came from Sainsbury’s, his wife chose it.
Thanks Jacob! Welcome to Face-Mask Corner.
Are you a regular blog reader and not yet shared your face-mask with the ‘Blog Community’ (Brayshaw, MJ, 2020) ?? Don’t miss out, only 110 days to go!
Readers Corner
Two comments today.
Jim
Jim posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 254) saying:
“Very interesting blog Jim, you have put a lot of thought and effort into it. I understand your feelings on the Edinburgh situation at this time – the only consolation, as you know, is that we are all in the same boat (pardon the pun) at this very difficult time. I have just learned that a possible 3 million people in Iran have the covid virus at this time and no country is offering to help them out at this time! 
“.
Thanks Jim, glad you enjoyed the blog. I guess, I try to write the blog very my viewpoint, as a reflection for others. Thanks for yours, an interesting reflection.
Pat
Pat posted a Facebook comment on yesterday’s blog (Day 254) saying:
“Lovely Memory Of Your Dad Jim Thanks… Stay Safe and Stay Well Mate..
“.
Cheers Pat! Glad the writings about my Dad touched you 🙂
It Made Me Smile
Miles messaged me last night proposing a “rude Czech face mask joke”. He was wondering if it was appropriate for the blog.
I messaged the ‘Blog Community’ (Brayshaw, MJ, 2020) Rep and he didn’t reply. So I guess it has been approved??!
Although Miles suggested it for Face-Mask Corner, I think it is better here.
It certainly made me smile!
The Czech sign reads – Entry only allowed when wearing a face mask”.
(although they don’t call it face-mask, instead a veil.
This reminds me of a similar story that I experienced many years ago as a student at Dundee University. A tradition that came from when Dundee University and St. Andrews University were the same University. Is a tradition of Juniors and Seniors, and Gaudie Night and Raisin Monday. Gaudie Night happens on the first Monday (I think) of the first term and Raisin Monday on the 5th week of the first term. St. Andrews University, takes the whole thing more serious than Dundee University!
‘Senior’ students, befriend freshers (first years) known as ‘Juniors’ and on Gaudie night, they all gather for a meal and the Seniors dress the Juniors up in fancy dress, the funnier the better and head into town. Then on Raisin Monday, the Juniors buy the Seniors a bottle of alcohol (originally it was a raisin!) and they gather again for another party. The Senior is meant to guide the Junior through their first year at University, although I think this is more serious at St. Andrews University. But a nice idea 🙂
So on Gaudie Night, my Senior, dressed me up in clingfilm. After a few drinks, we headed into town and onto Oscars Nightclub in Brown Street, it was unlikely that I would get in, I was in boxer shorts and clingfilm!! But the bouncer looked at me and said the only dress code for the club was no trainers, I didn’t have trainers on, so I got in!
Christmas Music Corner
For regular readers, you will remember in Readers Corner on Day 253, Ian wrote:
“Every Christmas morning when we are opening our presents we play The Beach Boys Christmas album from 1963. This has been our tradition for over 30 years and although the Beach Boys very early material was all about sun, surfing, cars and girls, their catalogue transcends way beyond these topics and style. I have been a fan all my life and love the rich harmonies and arrangements. Don’t worry we play the likes of Slade, Wizzard and Shakin Stevens as well lol.”.
So today we have Ian’s album 🙂
Although, according to Spotify it is 1964, not 1963. But according to wikipedia it was recorded in 1963 and released in November 1964 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beach_Boys%27_Christmas_Album
So today we have The Beach Boys Christmas Album
Thanks Ian for sharing this. Cannae wait to listen to it!!
Have you got a favourite Christmas song or album? Share it here or you will just get more of mine!!!
As I come to the end of this blog, I am annoyed, as the washing machine is taking longer than I had hoped. Despite it saying only 40 minute cycle, when I went to move my washing to the tumble dryer over an hour later, my clothes were all soaking wet! I’ve now put it on a fast spin, then its another 40 minute wait for it to dry in the tumble dryer. I have learnt that I can also use the heat in the boat to complete the drying, but it needs some drying in the tumble dryer first, otherwise it is still damp in the morning!
So I’ve been walking up and down the 100 metre towpath quite a few times this evening in my Pyjamas! There is still ice all over the boat!
Today I had 6 bags of logs and 3 bags of coal delivered. However, the coal man had forgotten my two bags of kindling. I put out a message on the Boaters WhatsApp Group and both my boat neighbours came out to give me offerings of their kindling. That’s what I love about living here 🙂
I think I have mastered the wood burner this evening. The boat has been at a nice 28 degrees for over an hour, so hopefully it will be like last night. Despite it being really cold outside, it nice and warm (but not too hot) inside.
Today the weather has been dry, but cold. I think the temperature reached 5 degrees at its height. More snow forecast for tonight and then rain for most of the day tomorrow, temperature dropping to 2 degrees in the night tonight.
Thanks for your continued support with this blog.
Stay Warm!
Jim x