Bartimaeus

As February moves on and we have extended the marina booking until 10th March, I have been thinking that I need to try to see people I haven’t managed to see. Increasingly people are asking when we are going and a vague reply saying we are here till March is not quite enough to make sure there is loads of time to catch up.

I was very pleased to get an invite to a birthday afternoon tea and catch several people at once. We managed find a date to suit everyone which can be quite a challenge. The Willow tearoom has long been in Glasgow but is a recent arrival in Edinburgh and is suitably placed on Princes Street where it can offer customers a view of the castle from its first floor window. Our table had some very high backed chairs, in Rennie Mackintosh style, which would be excellent if you had a long coat and didn’t want it to trail on the floor. I thought it was occluding JJs view of the castle so those with our backs to the window hung our jackets on a nearby hat and coat stand. We eagerly awaited our afternoon teas. Beata hadn’t ever had one before so was particularly looking forward to this new experience. 

I was surprised to find that you chose a particular cake rather than getting a random selection. The sandwiches were a selection though and we mixed and matched according to preference. There was a choice of scone too. I nearly chose the savoury high tea but then decided we should all go for the same classic tea. I found it the perfect quantity. Perhaps I could try a savoury one another time. I was very happy with my choice this time and enjoyed the decor and the willow pattern tea sets. The original Willow Tearooms in Glasgow chose their name and theme after the meaning of Sauchihall Street where they were placed, based on the Scots saugh, willow.

Cherry was treating us and herself for her birthday. At another table I heard happy birthday being sung but we saved her the embarrassment! We just enjoyed the food and friendship. It was certainly a great way to spend a chilly and occasionally wet afternoon.

The next day was equally cold and wet. My niece made the rare choice to forego a walk and choose an indoor venue to meet. We arranged to find each other inside the gallery on the Mound. I had escaped an earlier shower and decided to walk into town as I had the day before. I found myself behind a group who had booked themselves a silent disco tour. They were all kitted out with waterproof ponchos and a little dancing and high spirits ensured they didn’t get too cold. I wouldn’t have wanted to do an ordinary tour on a day like that, standing still in the cold listening to a talk. They seemed happy as they kept moving and and circled round a camera showing how much fun it was whatever the weather. If trying to plan a weekend in a city in February, this activity was a good choice, it seemed.

Inside the National gallery I began by going round the main exhibition I had seen with Shane last month. At the end of the hall, Sandra and I went upstairs, not downstairs so I got some variety and on the way back through the main room we took in some of the side spaces, one dedicated to Impressionists and post impressionists, e.g. Degas, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne. If you are going to admire trees on a wet day, admiring these paintings was a good way to do it. These trees transport you to warmer climes.

While I have seen some of these before it was not on my recent visit. I enjoyed being reacquainted with them.

 In another side room, much couthier subjects than the grand classical or portraits, took my interest, an old woman and a shepherdess, with her dog and flock.

Further on I found some river paintings including a river we have seen on our travels while we were on the Staffordshire and Worcester canal, which runs from Stourport to Stourton.

The sky was blue as we left the gallery. We didn’t have time for the other building, but I got a picture of it before Sandra and I caught the bus back home.

I had appreciated my unusually highbrow and historical weekend and the boat paintings made me think of when we might be aboard again. Still before that decision, I looked forward to greeting a guest in Edinburgh soon. What were we going to do?