Bartimaeus

We had a calm and sober Christmas Day. The dark days after Christmas are not always full of expectation, apart from that turkey will still be on the menu: replated as reheat and repeat Christmas dinner, or as sandwiches, toasties, for many days' lunches. We had stovies, on Boxing Day - an easy warming and homely dish after a cold walk and an early sunset. 

Then turkey and sides were incorporated into dishes with a passing resemblance to curry, goulash or stroganoff and lastly boiled up for soup. Some got frozen, but it has all been used now with a leek, cheese and turkey cobbler being the last outing. There was plenty to eat if you didn't want to venture out in the damp and dark, though shops barely closed. 

Bryn missed the soup and stroganoffesque meal as he had to go to work for a couple of days. He did manage to fit in joining us for the Axolotl Discovery Day at the zoo. Bryn and Nye are members so we get in at a reduced rate of 20% off. You don't have to just see the axolotl. The tiger was very close, but with claws retracted and relaxed.

The flamboyant flamingoes are always a pleasure. They had young ones whose plumage was not yet pink, although there was a flash of pink underwing if they flapped. Oddly their beaks are pale pink when the adults' beaks aren't.

We got an excellent view of the giraffes from an elevated platform that put you at their head height. When we emerged we saw a bride and groom were being photographed. Guests had fine apparal for the celebration and trainers for the hilly terrain of the zoo. Up at the top we also met Highland Coos, a recent addition, one brown and one black. Black ones used to be more common until Queen Victoria liked the brown ones and they became more popular and the regular image we see. Who would have thought cow colours were fashion victims.

I enjoyed the antics of squirrels and catching sight of non resident robins. I wasn't sure if the moorhens were resident or not. Do the caged animals long to be free and the free ones want to be regularly fed and lie around. Animals in captivity live longer lives.

Shane and I were noticing the changes and what had moved. The tapir used to be a favourite and it has gone but the capybaras are there and they are a favourite too.

The animal of the day was the axolotl and I have never seen one before.  Several staff were on hand. The better known image is of a pink creature, and I had given a soft pink crocheted one to Nye in his stocking, (bought in Stratford-upon-Avon) but that is an albino version. The one the zoo was melanin rich and there was just a hint of deep pink about the gills. It was bigger than I expected, despite the crocheted one being life size, I now realise. We went to see him twice, but he didn't see us as the poor old axolotl has cataracts. He wouldn't survive in the wild, and there aren't many left in the wild at all. He is called Toothless and in fact all axolotls are toothless so that is not a deficiency. They just stay in their juvenile state and never become adults like other amphibians, remaining aquatic all their lives.

Bryn was able to go direct to his train back to work from the zoo. He was allowed home early, after only one night away as frustratingly they didn't seem to be much needed after all. When he thought he was on holiday, he really didn't want to be called in to work, but even more when he is at work, he would like to be busy and appreciated, not hanging around with not much to do, and little interest shown in the activity.

Nye and I set off to collect him from the station. The way across the Meadows was blocked by a torchlight procession. We could see the crowds and see flashing lights and flames. The music was audible as soon as we opened the door.

We skirted round and at the top of Middle Meadow walk, the pavements were made available as the procession took over the street. But we need to get to the other side.

We made use of Edinburgh's 3D road architecture to go under the procession on old lanes and cobbles and back up at the High Street. I was glad I had a son with good navigation skills and more confident knowledge of the old town underworld than me, so we made our zigzag up and down way just in time for the train's arrival. I wish I had a better sense of place and time. On the way back we saw the tail end of the procession and our routes were free again.

We had a bit more socialising at the end of the year meeting up with Pete and Jude, Then we went to Kenny and Helena's on Hogmanay for a convivial meal with some more of their friends. It is now becoming traditional for us to have a Portuguese Hogmanay dinner.

Kenny asked me if I had made any New Year Resolutions. He seemed surprised when I said I had and, even more so that I had them written down. They are disappointingly dull prods to slight health and fitness improvements, not to do anything dramatic or unattainable, but aimed at maintenance and avoiding degeneration. No marathons or loony dooks on my list! We also both want to get some joint improvements and reorganising done in Edinburgh this winter.

Edinburgh put on a spectacular fireworks display at midnight for New Year. Last time it was cancelled due to bad weather. This year it was clear and cold, excellent viewing conditions. A photo never does it justice. On New Year's Day the sky put on a great light display all by itself, changing colour as I walked. I kept checking behind for the next updated version.

Ahead of me there were no spectacular colours, but a blue sky and a bright moon, giving a beautiful start to the year. Here's hoping for good things, looking forward.