Bartimaeus

The weather was considerably colder when we arrived in Edinburgh on Monday. It improved a bit though through the week and after a damp day I had a sunny walk with my sister. We stopped and watched a bush full of a variety of bees collecting lots of pollen and the brief arrival of butterflies, that just didn't stay still. Those insects know a good thing when they see it.

I saw other butterflies and it was very nice to see some blue sky after some damp days, but also to see clouds and not be too hot. On the way up the hill we found wild raspberries, which was a nice little boost to help us to the top.

Shane had some medical appointments and cycling trips with Kenny and I made a hair appointment for the first time in a few years. On the way back from one of his appointments he met Jenny, who had come with her son for an afternoon trip on the boat, when we were in London. She had observed there had not been a new Bartimaeus entry for a few days, and suspected we might have come to Edinburgh. Her suspicion confirmed, she made an arrangement with me to meet up for coffee. I was very pleased to catch up.

I went straight from the Swedish cafe with cardamom buns to lunch with Shane and Peter at Bell Bottom, for some Indian street food. We ordered a few things from the chat menu and was surprised with what arrived, deep fried leaves, crispy aubergine, samosa parcels, aromatic vegetables on crackers, all with a tamarind, mint and yogurt dressings. Then at the end came the Puna Puris served in a frame like a large test tube holder that had delicate crunchy hollow globes the size of golf balls balanced on it and held shot style glasses with three different flavours of spiced juices ready to put in then pop in your mouth. My favourite was the green minty one. The whole meal was washed down with a mango lassi. The curry I had made the night before was very tame in comparison, but enjoyed nonetheless. Little did I know that a visit to my sister later that day would bring another creamy mango drink.

I had been having plenty  of exotic tastes with Nye and I cooking together a few times and he had served sorbets he had made earlier in his piña colada themed birthday celebrations. He had made a lemon and a coconut and pineapple flavoured sorbet and both were delicious, with gin helping to keep them from going hard.

Nye had been enthused by the idea of making a raspberry sorbet when I mentioned the wild raspberries on the hill. We had been invited to a wedding on Saturday that started at 6pm so we had time for jaunts first. So, while Shane cycled with Kenny, Nye and I took a bus to the hill. I thought that even if there weren't  many today he would at least know where to come. We brought tubs and got a reasonable haul and he also loved the fine view from the top.

While it was sunny, a cool breeze was blowing. Shane swaggered across the Meadows beside Kenny,while Helena and I walked behind in our dresses wondering if the wind would be a hazard for men in kilts. 

The bride worked in George Heriot's school and had been granted the use of the building for her wedding, a grand and unusual venue. I was interested to glimpse inside. While guests foregathered there was time to explore and sip champagne. Pennysson and husband to be, Keith made fine meeters, greeters and ushers, resplendent in their kilt regalia.

We were encouraged to have a nose around and I was shown into 'the cake room'. This room was obviously used for more sombre events at other times and I found out it was called the council room on other days.

It was good to see the space before the crowds. In the ceremony itself I could not get photos with many heads between me and the altar, though I got a good view of the bride and groom.

Keith and Penny English exchanged their own vows, rings, a tartan shawl and Penny's dad's university scarf. It was a relaxed atmosphere despite the formal surroundings. We learnt that Keith had proposed in Spain. I already knew Penny loved paella, from many evenings hosted by Helena, but this information added an extra reason why they were having Spanish themed catering. Penny was clearly having a great day; as Keith said in his list of three things he loves about her, she can't hide when she is happy.

We enjoyed hot food from the giant paella dishes, cooking before us and cold food from the tapas array. Keith had brewed a beer especially for the day so we had to try that. The wind occasionally blew plates and cups around and knocked over Shane's empty bottle but he used the rose petal confetti to protect his fingers, as he picked up the pieces from the courtyard.

As it got cooler we moved from the courtyard to inside. The main reception room is normally the staff room. I have been to many school staffrooms and while the chairs resembled almost every one I had been to, the room itself was unlike any other - it isn't every staffroom that has stone walls and fireplaces with six foot logs lying comfortably within the grates, at each end of the room.

Music and lights added a bit of modernity. The bride and groom had a brief dance while their guests enjoyed the ambience.

As the evening wound up, guests were allowed to take food away, in containers provided. Keith saw Shane with a souvenir empty 'wedding beer' bottle and insisted we take two full ones away, so Nye got to sample the paella and we have a beer in store for another day.

It is lovely  to have a memento of a special day. We had one more day in Edinburgh before we had to leave, to go to another wedding!