between parked cars

2006-09-25T12:34:00.000+01:00

Morningside Festival Newsdrive

In the past.

The day.

2006-08-17T19:19:00.000+01:00

Hooray!

And indeed hoorah!

2006-08-07T20:39:00.000+01:00

Good home offered

I can't help but notice that there is a lonely little piano sat at the end of Cuddy Lane.

It has a note on it saying 'do not remove, to be collected August 8th'.

Does anyone know the owner of this piano? Does it want a good home? If it is dark and the note is no longer legible does the warning still stand?

Any thoughts?

2006-08-07T19:14:00.000+01:00

Things that go bzzz in the night.

There's bugs in these here hills. Green and purple stripy ones.

Climate change comes to us all. Even in Morningside.

Image courtesy of simpologist.

2006-08-06T20:00:00.000+01:00

Tell us something we don't already know . . .

Apparently this isn't an easy area for first time buyers. No kidding.

This qualifies as news?

But if it's tricky here in EH10 then spare a thought for the poor people of Arran.

"Whereas in EH10, the typical cost of a first-time buyer property has gone up by 63%, the figure is 263% in Arran."

Urk. I'll just keep paying the rent then . . .

2006-07-29T10:47:00.000+01:00

Bulletproof

Fancy buying something just a little glam to take the kids to school? Something that'll silence the idle chitchat of the Chrysler Cruiser driving Greenbank Mob? Who needs a people carrier when you could have a Popemobile?

Just 11,000 miles on the clock and rumoured to be in near mint condition. S'been on the news and everything. You'll be the talk of the toon. And impervious to artillery fire, explosions and rifle shots. Ideal for an afternoon drive down through Niddrie.

The bidding starts on September 2nd. All previous indications suggest that it'll be off to Vegas before anyone else gets a look in. Unless Mr Abramovich cuts back on his ventures in the transfer market . . . after all he's spent £285,000 on a simple numberplate with a JPII connection in the past . . .

Quickly Jose! To the Popemobile! London needs our help . . .

2006-07-27T22:06:00.000+01:00

South Suburban Blues

On a return rail trip from the Lake District, way back in the rainy season, we were forced to endure an unexplained delay after leaving Haymarket Station.

Turns out they were working on the line in between Waverley and the West End. And so we took the scenic route to the city centre. Via Morningside. No stopping though.

The loop out behind Arthur's Seat was kind of pretty too. (It's only a shame we missed the first half of the World Cup Final to see the sights . . . Timing, timing . . .)

So bring on the South Suburban regeneration plan!

2006-07-27T21:59:00.000+01:00

This Would Never Happen in Morningside

Could it? Uck.

Poor old Northsiders.

2006-07-05T20:23:00.000+01:00

Presidential Sweet: Fringe Benefits of Royal Neighbours

One Royal Mile pub was surprised to find a higher class of tourist looking for lunch earlier this week.

You'll be pleased to know that the President of Estonia was a good boy and ate up all of his neeps.

2006-06-28T15:00:00.000+01:00

Paramedics get the hump: Don't fall down the stairs tonight.

One of those stories about which I'd like to be able to sigh and say "Only in Edinburgh.". But I'm fairly confident that this kind of thing is going on all over . . .

"Car crash victims and patients with spinal injuries in particular could have their injuries worsened" indeed. Excellent.

Don't forget to look left then right then left again every time you cross Morningside Road this week. And keep a weather eye open for speeding ambulances going out of their way avoiding those bumps.

2006-06-28T13:48:00.000+01:00

"NO! You must not read from the book!"

Or at least not more than once. Seriously, is anyone else beginning to feel gently nudged towards the edge? The edge that begins with subdued muttering and ends with newspaper headlines describing carnage in an inner city library?

If one more librarian says to me, in a tone of gentle pity, "Did you know you've had that book out before?" then there is every possibility I may run amok. What, so reading books more than once is now taboo? Edinburgh Council only allows you one go round, to prevent wear and tear on the pages?

Firstly, if I'm starting to suffer from early onset Alzheimers then I'd rather find out in a medical setting. Secondly, sometimes people do read books more than once. Some people read some books more than once a year. Thirdly, if it's a reference book, such as a cookbook, then they are designed to be read more than once. There is no surprise ending to 'The Naked Chef'. I won't be traumatised when I find out I already know whodunnit. It was Jamie! In the kitchen! With an omelette pan! Fourthly, some books come back into relevance a couple of months after you first read them, books on Afghanistan and the situation in the Middle East, books that are worth reading a second time from a different perspective. Fifthly, travel books are by their nature used repeatedly. Unless now visiting foreign cities comes with a 'one chance to see' ruling. And sixthly, that's what students do! It's called revision.

It's the way they then abstract it from your pile of weekend reading material without so much as a byyourleave and pop it firmly onto the return-to-shelf stack. Aaah!

So, dear Edinburgh Libraries, who in general I love very dearly, please reconsider this move towards interactive librarianship. Please accept that some people are Bad People, who wish to read the same book maybe two or three times in a lifetime. Please embrace the fact that on the rare occasion that this service might actually help - taking out the same Agatha Christie twice in a row for example - that really I would rather discover my own stupidity in the privacy of my own house than at the head of a queue of borrowers.

I know that if I was actually allowed to read books only once then I would read differently. More slowly, more thoughtfully. Maybe I'd make notes. But until that dark day comes I embrace my freedom to read the same book over and over again like a literate city dwelling Teletubby.

Citizens of Edinburgh, cast off your borrowing chains. Hang on to that book with both hands and don't let them take it away until you're sure you never want to read it again. This year at least.

2006-06-27T16:57:00.000+01:00

"It's really convenient that the Castle has been built next to the train station."

Oh yes. They're back.

The annual article from The Scotsman listing the foolish questions of bewildered tourists. Which seem to remain eternally unvaried from year to year, summer season in, summer season out.

It's still funny though. "Tonight we dine with my father in Nottingham." type funny.

2006-06-25T19:51:00.000+01:00

Smokin . . .

The Scotsman reports on an apparently unforseen consequence of the current smoking ban - apparently when large groups of people are obliged to congregate in the street outside the pub they have a tendency to talk to each other. Loudly. Particularly the ones who have been drinking.

One of the pubs listed as having received a complaint from local residents about noise at night is the Morningside Glory (or the Hermitage as we used to know it back in the day).

Now I'm no real opponent of the smoking ban. Obviously it's undesirable for any worker to be exposed to a hazardous substance as part of their routine conditions of employment. It would never be allowed in industry, and I don't really see why it should be expected in hospitality. Especially for a workforce who are by and large working antisocial hours on a minimum wage salary.

But I don't get the impression that anyone really thought through what the consequences of the ban might be.

All I see is a rise in violence, particularly in areas such as the Cowgate/Grassmarket, an increase in littering with cigarette butts forming a damp smelly carpet on pubfront pavements, and then there's this noise issue.

As a single girl walking back through Tollcross I resent being forced out onto the road by crowds of rowdy passive aggressive smokers taking up the pavements outside every pub. Yes, in a city like Dublin, one with beer gardens attached to most premises I'm sure things are very different.

But here in Edinburgh it only looks likely to lead to problems for landlords which are not of their own making and ridiculous legal excesses such as the proposed Glasgow glass ban. I'd rather inhale a little smoke than drink my Ardbeg out of a plastic cup.

And what are all these discarded cigarette butts doing to the drains?

A little compromise anyone?

2006-06-12T20:49:00.000+01:00

Holy Corner International: Multicultural Street Market.

Er, apologies for the slight drop off in posting. Honestly, one week of summer weather and the concept of manana comes to Morningside.

Still, the summer weather is bringing more than just siestas, there's going to be an international street market up at Holy Corner on June 24th twixt the hours of 10am and 4pm. With singing and dancing, food from Ndebele and Khartoum (mmm) and stalls selling a range of world goods.

The whole shebang is a fundraiser for the Holy Corner Community Playgroup, and, if the weather holds looks like making for a pleasant afternoon's browsing and nibbling.

2006-05-22T18:41:00.000+01:00

A Big Day Oot for Morningside's Maisie.

The most famous feline in Edinburgh's history has been honoured with a furry replica, now available from the Botanical Gardens.

The toy has been created to mark the 25th Maisie story 'Maisie and the Botanic Garden Mystery'. Although she still looks like a fresh young kitten, it's been twenty one years since Maisie first came to Morningside.

This photo of Aileen Paterson and friend was hijacked from the Edinburgh Evening News . . .

2006-05-15T20:30:00.000+01:00

Fine Day: Drop in the Issue of Parking Tickets

It's still a bone of contention amongst traders and residents alike.

But there is good news from the parking wars as Morningside Road drops from seventh place to fourteenth place in the list of most Edinburgh's ticketed streets.

George Street is still top of the ticketing pops with an average of 56 parking tickets taped on to windscreens daily.

2006-05-09T21:10:00.000+01:00

Signs of Summer (IV): Violets are blue . . .

Although I think that these ones were more purple than anything else.

There sure were a whole lot of them sprinkled over the dry banks under the trees. I believe they were the Early Dog Violet if anyone's interested in a more scientific approach.

2006-05-09T18:41:00.000+01:00

Sunshine, wild garlic and the Holy Grail: A day out at Roslin Glen.

A beautiful day for a stroll through the deep wooded gorge below Rosslyn Chapel.

What with the flowering garlic, the myriads of sparkly daisies and the chance sighting of Scotland's Very Largest Frog we didn't feel too sad that we didn't find the Grail. Besides, didn't Indianna Jones find the grail? In Petra? Not just outside Penicuik.

The tin roof that is now covering the chapel is truly shockingly horrible. Yes, I understand their reasoning and I approve of the intent. It would be a shame to see the building decay unecessarily. But I can't help but think there must have been some other, less jarringly conspicuous, way of doing it.

Fortunately the castle remains free of all such modern architectural paraphenalia, and the red sandstone was glowing nicely in the afternoon sun. Almost like Petra after all in fact. Now, what might that be glinting up there in that dark crack between the rocks . . .

2006-05-09T10:29:00.000+01:00

Secrets and Lies: Morningside and the Dark Side.

A fascinating look at the history of the Scottish League for European Freedom (SLEF), a postwar society largely patronised by Morningside ladies of the lunching class.

The League appeared on the surface to be a charitable organisation which raised funds for the poor and displaced peoples of central and Eastern Europe. The fund raising activities of the fur coated ladies of Morningside and the New Town leant it a gloss of respectability and fashion.

Little did they realise that in fact the League was merely a public front for a far shadier operation - a drive to recruit potential undercover espionage agents from the Ukraine to assist in the postwar struggle with Soviet Russia.

And it seems that what went on behind the scenes was darker even than this suggests.

"In 1950, the fundraising activities of the League's Edinburgh members even helped to pay for a special conference in the Central Hall in Tollcross, where Eastern European men pleaded their cases for freedom.

To members, it was merely a chance to see some of the "peaceful" men being persecuted by the USSR, and who were being offered help thanks to their charitable donations. But Macleod suggests that, in reality, it was actually one of the biggest gatherings of Nazis since the Nuremburg rallies. "Some of the guest speakers at this meeting had been former SS soldiers or members of the Nazi party in the Ukraine yet no-one really knew about their pasts.

"MI6 were paying for the passports and hotel rooms and, in return, they were getting to recruit agents that they could send back to spy on Communist Russia.

"It seems a little unethical to recruit the former enemy - the Nazis - but if you're looking to spy on a particular country it makes a lot of sense to recruit people who know the area. With the Cold War starting to heat up, the best potential agents just happened to be former Nazis." "

Intriguing and relevant stuff, well worth looking into.

2006-05-07T09:46:00.000+01:00

Supermarket Swap (Part V): A Story from Bruntsfield.

Seems like Morningside isn't the only place to be getting a touch riled about the monster supermarkets moving in.

After all, we already had two supermarkets here before the arrival of Waitrose/M&S. But up in Bruntsfield they're moving from supermarkets = nil straight to supermarket = Tesco.

And not everyone is all that impressed by the new arrival. Hence the formation of the Bruntsfield Consumer's Association in response to the new Tesco, which aims to help people shop responsibly in the the area by highlighting the value of local traders and services.

As one councillor said, at the moment people tend to pile into their cars and head off to the Gyle when they want to do a 'big shop'. If the opening of a Tesco in Bruntsfield can help keep people shopping within the local area with their cars off the road then it may turn out not to be such a Bad Thing after all.

Tesco is due to open later this month.

2006-05-01T23:00:00.000+01:00

Maisie goes to the Royal Mile.

The most well travelled kitten in all of Morningside, Aileen Paterson's famous Maisie will be joining luminaries such as Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Rebus and the Gruffalo on the wall of Edinburgh's new storytelling centre.

The building will be officially opened on June 1st.

2006-05-01T09:50:00.000+01:00

The first official day of Summer: Fire last night on Calton Hill

And it didn't rain this year until almost the bitter end. Which was nice.

It was pretty crowded but not as bad I think as in previous years, and the strong police presence wasn't quite so in your face as it has been in the past. I'm sure that some people didn't get to see much of the procession but we were lucky to secure some good spots throughout. Although I'm afraid that's not necessarily reflected in the photographic quality!

There were nigh on 8000 folks on the Hill according to official stats and a fine spectacular end was granted to winter's grip. We hope.

Sadly once again I neglected to bathe my face in the dew of Arthur's Seat at cockcrow this morning so eternal beauty will continue to evade me . . .

2006-04-30T18:29:00.000+01:00

Signs of Summer (Part III): Sunshine on Spring Valley.

Dandelions shine brightly outside the old Spring Valley Cinema. I think the tubs with their dead pine trees and burnt out twists of fairy lights are a relic of The Great American Indoors.

2006-04-30T14:15:00.000+01:00

Good news for Morningside traders: " . . . a gesture of appreciation".

The Scotsman reports that traders in Morningside are to be actively promoted by the council in an attempt to regenerate businesses affected by the roadworks.

It's a common complaint up and down Morningside Road. The constant digging up, redesignng and resurfacing work prevents parking, causes frequent traffic chaos and often removes any access to long stretches of pavement for weeks at a time. The power cuts out, crossings are put out of action, the elderly (and everyone else as well) stumble on bumpy kerbside surfaces and the noise levels can be appalling. And just after one bunch of contractors have packed up and gone another set descend and dig up the same piece of road all over again.

So it's nice to hear that the council have finally accepted that the roadworks might be having some negative impact on local businesses. Shopkeepers in Morningside and Bruntsfield reported a 10% drop in sales in the period leading up to Christmas and they put the blame squarely on the cordoning off of areas of the street, the moat and drawbridge arrangements involved in getting into some shops and the dust and noise which made Christmas shopping far more stressful in this area than elsewhere.

So £10,000 has been made available to create a directory promoting local traders which will be issued to bed and breakfasts, local people, and, one assumes, to tourist hubs in the city as well. Why they are so keen on giving them to local people, who I imagine have a fair idea of what's available on Morningside Road anyway, I'm not entirely sure.

However, whether or not this money would have been better spent on improving parking facilities and attempting to coordinate contractors to ensure that works are conducted during a tighter time frame, it's still a welcome contribution to the ongoing promotion of Morningside and the range of businesses which are available on these streets.

2006-04-28T15:46:00.000+01:00

Street Spirit: The Streets of Edinburgh Project

Find your home address in the Streets of Edinburgh project, as of today featuring pictures of around 950 of Edinburgh's 5000 or so streets.

There's a range of pictures taken in the Morningside region, often showing up familiar places in a slightly off kilter light (Morningside Place, Canaan Lane, Spring Valley Terrace).

And there's some nice shots of the city's less renowned highways and byways (India Street, Carlton Terrace Mews).

A fascinating resource for exploration, both online and on foot.

2006-04-26T20:23:00.000+01:00

Sacks and the City: (Just say it with a Morningside accent . . .)

Dah-ling! The Scotsman has seen fit to grace our charming suburb with a mention in their Fashionista's Guide to Edinburgh.

Expect to hear the sound of Jimmy Choos tippy tapping their way past our doors to Thuja (Organic Health and Beauty - 37 Comiston Road) any time now.

("sex" - what the people of Morningside have their coal delivered in . . .)

2006-04-26T20:17:00.000+01:00

Rolling, rolling, rolling . . .

Some more photos from the wild frontier . . .

2006-04-23T21:25:00.000+01:00

Signs of Summer (Part II): Sunshine over Leith and the first swallow of the season.

20 degrees in the unshade according to the handy clock/temperature gauge on the garage forecourt. And a beautiful day for a trip to Cramond and a brisk saunter along the causeway to the island itself.

Sitting in the sunshine overlooking the blue (an optical illusion) waters of the Firth, and fantasising that Inchgarvie was in fact Alcatraz, we witnessed our first swallow of this year zipping nippily about over the headland.

One swallow doth not a summer make and all that. I know. But today it felt as if the long winter was finally far behind us and summer was just around the corner.

I'm hoping that it's going to last.

2006-04-22T17:24:00.000+01:00

Signs of Summer (Part I): Gorse in bloom on Craighouse Hill.

And the sun was shining!

2006-04-22T14:34:00.000+01:00

Wagons ho!: It's the Morningside News Roundup.

So, another busy week has passed by. There's still no crossing outside the Oxfam, the postbox nearby is still caged and the supermarket status of Morningside Road remains in transitional mode.

There does indeed seem to be rather less food on the shelves of Somerfield than there was when they first arrived. Although I'm not sure it "looks like a supermarket in Russia" (numerous people overheard in queues) just yet. There's still more than one type of olive oil. Although how long that will last I'm not sure.

Recent news from the area starts with the publication of the minutes from the March meeting of the Morningside Community Council. The minutes from the April meeting will be made available in May.

There's a story on the BBC news website about the struggle to maintain a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Belhaven Place. The co-ordinator blames apathy amongst other local residents for the scheme's failure to cut crime rates in the area.

A collection of stories, obituaries and comment from local people marks the passing of Dame Muriel Spark.

Anyone who remembers the story of Olive Smith, the Morningside dog lover who died attempting to save her friend's dog in the Braid Burn, will have been saddened by the news that the bench dedicated to her on Blackford Hill had been destroyed by vandals. So good news in todays Scotsman - the bench has now been replaced using the original plaque, which was found by council parks staff.

And yet another article referencing our current consumer dilemmas: 'It's a confusing time to be a grocery shopper in Morningside'.

Finally some news on an upcoming event - The Morningside Community Council Annual Art Exhibition - which will take place in the Columcille Centre on Newbattle Terrace. It will be open to the public free of charge from 10am to 7pm Saturday 3rd June and10am to 5pm on Sunday 4th June.

To find out more about the exhibition and how to submit art works look here. The best news of all? The exhibition will be opened by none other than Aileen Paterson, the creator of the wonderful Maisie, Morningside's most famous kitten. I wonder if she'll autograph any copies?

2006-04-21T19:44:00.000+01:00

Supermarket Swap (Part IV): Waitrose Cometh.

And we have dates! Although not necessarily 'final' dates . . .

On Thursday 18th May the Somerfield will close its doors for the last time.

There will be a short pause.

And on Saturday the 3rd of June 2006 we will become the first area in Scotland to have a Waitrose. Calves liver and clams here we come . . .

UPDATED! (3/5/06)
Somerfield will in fact be closing up on Tuesday 16th May. My bad.

UPDATED (8/5/06)
Hold that press! That'll be Saturday 13th May. Just as well really, it's pretty much become the Marie Celeste of Edinburgh supermarkets already.

2006-04-21T16:26:00.000+01:00

Bridge over troubled waters: News from the Union Canal.

Plans for the continued development around the canal basin at Fountainbridge have run into difficulties.

British Waterways have raised objections to the construction of a pedestrian bridge intended to link Viewforth and Fountainbridge at the site of the old Tartan Club (the brewery social club as was). It appears that the plan to build around 170 new homes on this site is already a done deal. There will be penthouses, duplexes and a selection of two/three bedroom flats. All of which I imagine will be on the expensive side.

"A tree-lined boulevard dubbed New Freer Street, which is envisaged at the heart of the scheme, would feature a flight of steps leading down to the main road at Fountainbridge. And a mini canal basin would be at the centre of a courtyard area.". Very nice. Almost Venetian in fact.

The quibble here is with the bridge. There are already rather a lot of bridges on that part of the canal, including the lovely Leamington Lift Bridge. British Waterways argues that another bridge would slow down barge traffic and put narrowboat renting holiday makers off going that final few metres into the heart of the new Edinburgh Quay area. Moreover it seems that no bridge design of any sort has yet been provided.

The Edinburgh Canal Society are quoted as saying: "We would like to see something of the same iconic status of the Falkirk Wheel, although it will be difficult on that site". Yes. Indeed.

I don't really see that another bridge would be essential to the inhabitants of this new development. A pleasant stroll along the canal for a few hundred metres in either direction of the site leads to a existing crossing. The likelihood of the glamorous residents of New Freer Street wishing to go to Viewforth seems lower than that of them heading in the Princes Street direction, and - unless I'm misreading the situation - they're on that side already.

But it would be interesting to see designs for a good piece of architectural engineering in this area. With so much recent industrial heritage being swept under the carpet of shiny urban development it would be nice to keep some kind of permanent memorial to the people and the buildings that first formed Fountainbridge.

2006-04-20T21:59:00.000+01:00

Rolling eggs on the Castle slopes: Edinburgh Easter Sunday Events.

Some pictures and commentary on the well attended Easter Sunday activities down in Princes Street Gardens.

Eggs were rolled, pipers piped, a host of golden daffodils fluttered and danced in the breeze and a good time was had by all.

And with the weather now on the turn (witness yesterday, ignore today) it's beginning to feel as if Spring has truly sprung.

Time now for Spring to move out of the way and let Summer come on through . . .

2006-04-18T21:16:00.000+01:00

Damp underfoot: Hermitage of Braid Wetland Patch Workday

Not too busy this coming Sunday (23rd April)? Fancy an afternoon of rural style labour down by Blackford Pond?

The Friends of the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill are organising an afternoon of constructive construction at the Wetland Patch which lies just at the Hermitage end of Blackford Pond. It seems the Wetland Patch is in fact too wet - as a quick survey of the area around the bench will reveal to even the uninformed passerby. So the plan is to build a higher level causeway between the gate and the dipping platform/raised walkway to improve the access to these facilities.

All tools and materials will be provided, all you need to bring is yourself, anyone else who you feel might enjoy the afternoon and a wee bit of enthusiasm.

Meet at 1pm at the Wetland Patch. Don't forget to survey the amazing frogspawn metropolis currently floating about in Blackford pond while you are there.

2006-04-16T18:05:00.000+01:00

"For people who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing that they like": Author Muriel Spark dies in Italy.

The creator of Morningside's most famous lady - Miss Jean Brodie - has died in Tuscany at the age of 88.

For a full obituary see here.

2006-04-16T16:04:00.000+01:00

But of course never in Morningside . . .

An entertaining article about that famous and traditional Scottish delicacy, the Deep Fried Mars Bar.

I find it interesting that National Geographic claims the study was initiated by "Doctors David Morrison and Mark Petticrew, both based in Glasgow, Scotland . . . after the phenomenon was mentioned by Jay Leno on his NBC Tonight Show in the United States.". My italics.

So, a man representing a nation that annually goes out into its collective backyard and deep fries a whole turkey thinks that deep frying a little teeny tiny Mars Bar is unacceptable? Seems this would be the place to say 'Go figure'.

There's some insight into reasons why Scotland has this fatal fascination with fried goods. Apparently workers in heavy industry needed the calories. And deep frying kills all known germs. Dead.

There is one fantastic statement from a deeply resigned representative of the UK Medical Research Council. One which really seems to cover all the reasons why projects to improve the Scottish way of life run into difficulties. One which suggests that even representatives of the UK Medical Research Council have a sense of humour . . .

And I quote: "Encouragingly, we did also find some evidence of the penetration of the Mediterranean diet into Scotland, albeit in the form of deep-fried pizza".

Photo by nate2000. Who has clearly seen worse things than Deep Fried Mars Bars alone.

2006-04-16T09:00:00.000+01:00

Proposals for Morningside: " . . . delivering a high quality Assisted Living home".

A news report on the aforementioned Sunrise Home Project.

The arrival of such a large multinational care group, firstly in Morningside and then in Scotland as a whole could make a huge difference to current levels of investment in senior care.

""Sunrise plans for Morningside to be the first of three homes developed in Edinburgh and one of at least six throughout Scotland," the group said. "If successful, Sunrise could invest £150m over the next few years, creating over 300 jobs and bringing a welcome boost to the local economy and elderly care provision across Scotland,"".

What kind of 'boost' this will give to smaller local care homes in the area remains to be seen.

2006-04-14T16:24:00.000+01:00

Supermarket Swap (Part III): "Some of us can't wait . . ."

Another article on the supermarket shuffling going on at this end of town.

This lot at the Scotsman Food and Drink are rather excited by the prospect of the coming Waitrose. I'm not sure that their enthusiasm will be shared by all.

A sample quote from a Waitrose shopper: "I go when I want things like calves' liver or clams.". Hmmm. On that basis I'll be visiting about once per leap year cycle.

The article asks, will the ladies of Morningside be lured by the fact that the likes of Robbie Williams, Kate Winslet and indeed our own dear Queen have all given their seal/Seal of approval to the Waitrose? Will J. K. Rowling herself be seen browsing the fish counter?

Stay tuned . . .

2006-04-14T12:40:00.000+01:00

Dinner from the undergrowth: Wild Garlic and Nettle Soup.

This Tuesday night just past we enjoyed a pleasant evening walk through the Hermitage woods followed by a delicious dish of foraged soup. Yes, it's that wild garlic time again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hermitage Wild Garlic and Nettle Soup

First find your greenery. We used about a Somerfield bag full of loosely packed nettles and a good two or three handfuls of wild garlic.

As far as the nettles are concerned only the tender tips (first three pairs of leaves and the sprouting tip) are really worth eating. It's fairly easy to accurately identify the young nettles, simply begin the picking session with naked fingers and all will become clear.

The wild garlic should be picked with care in order to avoid confusion with the green parts of the bluebells also coming up around this time. The odour is a pretty good guide - although not once your hands are already attractively scented with garlicky juices . . . Do chop and wash your leaves thoroughly (best nettle technique involves a dish glove and a pair of scissors over a large bowl) to remove any wildlife that may have come home with you.

Be aware that picking up a free dinner from the wilds should ONLY ever be done when a) you are completely confident about identification and b) where there are sufficient quantities of plants for your foraging to make no significant impact.

So, having prepared the leafy portion of the dish proceed to fry a large onion in a little oil in the base of a moderately capacious saucepan. When the onion is soft and golden add a mugful of warm water and a crumbled chicken stock cube (or indeed real stock should you be a bona fide domestic god/goddess). I used a chicken and tarragon cupasoup and it worked out fine. Give a stir and add the nettles.

Simmer for a few minutes then add a half teaspoon of grated nutmeg, a dash of salt (check to see how salty your stock was first!) some pepper and some mixed herbs. Continue to simmer adding up to a mugful more water - until the consistency looks good to you - and stir regularly. After about ten minutes add the wild garlic and stir in. The soup can be blended (I think blended is best here) until smooth. The whole cooking process takes about half an hour all told resulting in a bright green and appealingly velvety bowl of soup.

Good additions - some smoky bacon crumbled over the top, a good dollop of sour cream and lots of crusty bread.

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For all the foodies among you here's a link to a rather posher recipe for much the same dish.

Other recipes for future culinary experimentation include one for Spiced Wild Garlic Soup and an intriguingly sophisticated suggestion for Tea Smoked Trout with Wild Garlic Pesto.

Doesn't sound very hunter-gatherer to me . . .

2006-04-13T22:33:00.000+01:00

You wait the whole week for an event . . .

. . . and then two come along at once.

On Thursday 20th April the Open Door will play host to not only the Get Going Health Walk (see below) but also to the Morningside Community Council's monthly gathering.

Events kick off at 7.30pm. The agenda hasn't yet been made available on t'Internet but I'll keep you updated on its appearance.

Meetings are open to all local residents and members of the public, who are invited to raise matters of concern. It's also possible to put any questions that you may be harbouring regarding current events in the area directly to the council.

Such as . . . when are we going to get our crossing back?

2006-04-13T22:20:00.000+01:00

An excursion departing from Morningside . . .

For all those who have avoided being put off ever going outside again (where did that weather come from?) . . . on Thursday 20th April a Get Going Health Walk for those aged 50+ will depart from the Open Door cafe.

Walkers meet at 10am in the downstairs meeting room in order to start out at around 10.15. The walk will typically last around 45 minutes and feature a refreshment pause either during or after the outing. Organisers do suggest that walkers should equip themselves with "sensible" shoes and suitable outdoor clothing, but they stress that all the walks they arrange are suitable for all ability groups.

Given the current climatic conditions feel free to interpret "suitable outdoor clothing" as you feel fit. Extra points for the use of galoshes.

2006-04-11T10:47:00.000+01:00

Forgotten Morningside (Part I): " . . . the pervading distinctive aroma of film".

Hopefully to form part of a series and owing a huge debt to the wonders of the masterful Forgotten New York.

Starting with a site dedicated to preserving the memory of the motion picture era in Scotland, featuring a phenomenal photographic record of 45 cinemas in Edinburgh itself, both those which are still screening and those which have now slipped into the past.

Morninside registers two mentions, one for the still very much active Dominion and another for the gone but not entirely forgotten Spring Valley Cinema, one of many names which this building carried before it was finally eclipsed by the Dominion and turned into the Silver Slipper Ballroom in 1938.

Some delighful photos of one of Morningside's better kept secrets can be found here. Although the Wild West was constructed some time after the days of the cinema it still brings the authentic feel of the Saturday Morning Matinee back to this quiet residential sidestreet.

I feel very lucky to live in a area which still successfully supports a busy local independant cinema. Particularly in the light of the current debate surrounding the future of the Cameo. Long may Morningside continue to uphold the Scottish picture house tradition.

2006-04-08T11:52:00.000+01:00

Supermarket Swap (Part II) "Morningside's imminent wine war".

More commentary on what the arrival of English big boy Waitrose will mean for the independent traders of Morningside road can be found here.

We are also to acquire a Marks and Spencer's Simply Food. But not till August so plenty of time remains in which to purchase a twinset and pearls. Just in case you need to pop out for some milk. Here's what the Scotsman said about the new arrival.

Rumour has it that the reason M&S are postponing their arrival until August may be due to an attempt to purchase the Superdrug building space and open their store right across that whole block.

We shall see.

Meanwhile I wonder whether the appearance of a Waitrose will bring a flood of well heeled English expats into Morningside on weekly shopping sprees. Perhaps local traders will be able to take advantage of this regular migration and lure them further up the road into the smaller stores?

2006-04-07T12:50:00.000+01:00

"When the countryside comes to town": A day out at Edinburgh's Farmer's Market

Courtesy of The Edinburgh Blog.

A story of venison, ostrich and heritage potatoes. One of the best mornings to be had out in the city. Without question. I recommend the wild boar sausages.

I'm sure there will be plenty more on this topic in the very near future.

2006-04-06T21:20:00.000+01:00

Heads Up: Surgery Closing Dates for Easter

Yes, it's the festival with the bunny again. Come on, there have been Hot Cross Buns in the shops since before Hogmanay. Don't tell me you didn't notice.

For those whose sense of time passing has been dulled by three months of creme egg consumption, and those with important regular medication, please note:

BOTH surgeries - that's the Hermitage and Morningside - will be closed on Friday 14th April and will remain closed over Saturday Sunday and Monday, resuming service on Tuesday 18th April.

That's all folks.

2006-04-06T20:47:00.000+01:00

Sunrise in Morningside: Assisted Living and Complementary Architecture.

The international Assisted Living Company Sunrise Senior Living is planning to build it's first Scottish property here in Morningside.

Currently responsible for more than 400 care homes worldwide Sunrise first started in the States in 1981. They base their success on the principle of treating each of their residents as a valued and valuable individual throughout the care process. Sunrise states that it supports local recruitment and a green travels strategy, that they build each new home in a style which complements local architecture and that they are committed to being a part of the local community.

Sunrise is also very much a commercial operation, listed as on of the thirty fastest growing companies in America. Their stateside website features details of their care facilities and details for their investors lying side by side on it's front page. Make no mistake, this is extremely big business.

The proposed build in Morningside is a home catering for up to 85 residents with one wing reserved for the care of patients with Alzheimer symptoms and severe memory loss. This building is to be sited on the corner of Whitehouse Loan/Newbattle Terrace, on the area currently occupied by those wee boarded up bungalows behind the wall.

Sunrise will be holding an exhibition illustrating the details of these plans tomorrow (10am - 7pm Friday 7th April) in the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road.

Alternatively you can pick up a copy of their proposal from Morningside library. This comes with a prepaid reply card on which you can give your opinion regarding two points, namely:

1) whether you support the arrival of a Sunrise home in the area

and

2) whether you would prefer the design to be based on the typical local architecture.

The proposal states that one of the chief benefits of this project would be the provision of local care for "Morningside's frail older people". I wonder if there is any sort of scheme in place to reserve places for local people, or if all the spaces will end up being taken by paying customers from elsewhere. Not to sound too Royston Vasey about it . . .

Any further enquiries should be directed to:

Sunrise Senior Living

c/o 3x1 Public Relations

11 Fitzrop Place

Glasgow

G3 7RY

0141 2210707

2006-04-04T16:57:00.000+01:00

Community Backgreens Initiative: " . . . regularly sharing cups of tea in the stairs".

Two groups of Edinburgh tenement residents are currently participating in the Community Backgreens Initiative.

Typically derelict back green areas are being converted into community planned spaces for all residents to share. Current projects include the creation of play areas for children, bike sheds, recycling facilities and allotment style beds for plants. Reports from the area suggest that working together on these shared gardens has enhanced the sense of belonging and community within the blocks whilst providing a safe and pleasant space for leisure activities.

Would it work in Morningside? I'm ashamed to say that I don't really know a single one of the other residents of my stairwell. I might recognise a couple of them in the queue at Somerfield if pressed to do so. I don't have any idea if they would be interested in sharing a backgreen that most of us visit once or twice a month at most. That's just one stairwell. Of the thirty or so that back on to our green. It would be an enormous task even to administrate a survey collecting resident's opinions. And that's without considering that many of these residents are tenants who would have to submit the survey to the owner of the property.

I think the bottom line here is going to be property value. Is a shared backgreen going to enhance the worth of a flat? Or will it be seen as a potential liability?

Coming soon to a tenement near you? Only time will tell. But it's a project well worth watching.

2006-04-03T12:24:00.000+01:00

Plastic Fantastic: "To the moon and back five times".

There's been a deal of kvetching about the plastic bags provided by Somerfield. Too flimsy, too small, too weak and too plasticky. I also kvetched. Until I took a few seconds to look at the side of the bag and read the words 100% biodegradable.

No-one is going to deny that our nation's love affair with plastic carrier bags is a problem. To the moon and back five times - that's how far the number of carrier bags produced annually in the UK would stretch. Each of these bags will take 100 years to degrade. So every contribution to reducing the number of standard carriers out there is a positive one.

And it's another reminder to pack the 'Bag for Life' about my person every time I head out the door.

Besides, I seem to remember a degree of discontent back in the day that the Morrisons carrier bags were - horror! - transparent, enabling Other People to see the contents of the shop . . . At least these bags are sufficiently opaque to provide the degree of privacy required by Morningside consumers.

2006-04-02T22:56:00.000+01:00

Pelican't . . .

Roadworks April 2006 update . . . Has anyone else noticed the total absence of any form of road crossing between the clock and the Morrisons/Safeway/Somerfield/Waitrose?

How exactly are we meant to get between the pub and the bookie's/Houseproud and the Library (delete as appropriate) now?

Moreover the postbox on the corner of Morningside Park seems to have been caged. Is this intended to protect us or it?

2006-04-01T10:17:00.000+01:00

Spring has come at last . . .

A tribute to the crocus patch at Morningside Station. I missed photographing them at their peak.

It won't be long now until the bluebells open up in the Hermitage woods.

Photo by gms.

2006-03-31T23:33:00.000+01:00

Royal Edinburgh goes to Edinburgh Royal: "Relocation of the hospital would be a loss for the community".

NHS supremos are considering the prospect of building Edinburgh's new psychiatric hospital at the Little France site of Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary.

It was originally intended that the replacement for the Royal Edinburgh Hospital would be built close to the Morningside site it currently occupies. However changes to the Scottish Executive Health Policy require hospital services to be clustered in key locations, and hence the move to Little France.

This move, and the planned building of a children's hospital on the same grounds will create "a new health super-campus" at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Those of us without access to private transport can only hope that the bus links from Morningside are going to dramatically improve before that day comes.

2006-03-30T19:28:00.000+01:00

For one weekend only: Historic Scotland present the Magnificent Free Weekend.

Free! Free culture, free heritage, free educational experiences and all that jazz.

On the 1st and 2nd of April Historic Scotland fling open their doors and let the public potter about their properties for absolutely nowt. It's a tradition.

Properties available for pottering in Edinburgh and the surroundings include:

Dirleton Castle and Gardens

Edinburgh Castle – open 9.30am to 6pm, last entry 5.15pm

Linlithgow Palace – last entry 5.45pm

Still not sure if this all entirely justifies paying £9.50 for the Castle through the rest of the year though.

Photo care of kyz .

2006-03-30T17:29:00.000+01:00

Hear ye, hear ye . . . "Our city is in a period of great change".

Don't miss this prime opportunity to get your own views into the Council debating chamber.

A new city plan has been drafted for the future of Edinburgh and your opinions have been kindly requested.

To quote from the Foreword: "Our city is in a period of great change, greater than for many decades, growing in both prosperity and population. That growth brings pressures as well as benefits. And one of the greatest pressures is on a very scarce resource – our land" .

Meaning; "Where have all these people come from? Where are all these people going to live? What are they going to do? Where are their children going to go to school? Where are they going to shop/eat/drink?" And so on.

So what are we going to do? "With land such a scarce resource, this Plan, for the period up to 2015, concentrates on building within the city boundaries rather than sprawling outside – which means using the land we have more intensively." (from the Foreword). Which is encouraging (right up to 2015 . . .).

The eventual goal? Only to become the most successful and sustainable city in Northern Europe. Ambitious? Well.

The main buzzword of course, as everywhere else this season, is "sustainable development".

You can read the plan for yourself.

You can also get hold of a paper copy from your local library from May 2nd.

This plan is going to go through. Whether or not it goes through as it currently stands is up to us. The consultation period is expected to take eight weeks and all written and emailed responses are welcomed.

I'm sure I'll have more feedback once I've had a chance to take a closer look.

2006-03-30T15:58:00.000+01:00

Anudder thing: "Wonderful, whimsical cows grazing the streets of Scotland’s capital".

Oh happy day! Seven stampedingly successful years after its debut event in the States the magical artistic jamboree known as CowParade is finally pulling in to our fair city.

For a few weeks no street will be safe from incidents of wild bovine exhibitionism. Over 100 lifesize painted cows are expected to arrive on the 15th of May and remain on display until the 23rd of July. After a short period of quiet retirement they will emerge again to be auctioned for charitable causes in September. Each fibreglass cow is the project of an individual artist who decorates the initially plain white animal as he or she chooses.

The CowParade Edinburgh 2006 is going to be supporting two Scottish based charities;

the Lord Provost’s charity, the OneCity Trust which works through partnership and inclusion to support a wide range of community projects in Edinburgh
VETAID, who work to alleviate poverty through sustainable farming in the developing world.

The 2003 CowParade exhibition in Dublin raised over £250,000 for charity. Wonder how we'll do?

Photo credits to Lady-bug .

2006-03-30T12:18:00.000+01:00

Supermarket Swap (Part I) "Waitrose's arrival will delight the capital's middle class".

Morningside residents may have noticed a minor malfunction in the area's provision of supermarket facilities.

Here's what the Scotsman has to say about one of these changes.

And another article on the same transfer, this time from the Herald.

Hmmm.

2006-03-29T15:53:00.000+01:00

Something to look forwards to . . .

A upcoming Spring event new to the city, Tesco (boo! hiss!) (but all due respect for organising this specific little shindig) is hosting the Food & Drink Spectacular - Enjoy the Taste of Scotland.

For three days in April (21st - 23rd) the Hub will be transformed into a bustling marketplace for the great and the good of Scotland's food industry. The space will be divided into ten different areas: dairy, healthy eating, meat, seafish, fresh produce, confectionery, ice creams, delicatessen, grocery, and frozen. Members of the public who wish to spend a day nibbling on choice titbits and collecting recipe leaflets are welcome to turn up on the Saturday and Sunday of the weekend from 10am. Friday is reserved for the press and industry bigwigs. There's even going to be a "celebrity" kitchen, ticketed but free, specific celebrities as yet unconfirmed.

More information? Here's a short guide to events and a list of the exhibitors.

2006-03-28T23:08:00.000+01:00

A Recent Memory.

How things looked a couple of weeks ago . . . a photo by Fergus Fleming

Hopefully I should have some of my own pictures to show you very soon. Doubt they'll be as nice as this though.

2006-03-28T21:18:00.000+01:00

Between Parked Cars - The Test Run.

Greetings. This is the first day of the rest of this blog.

I'm not really sure what has possessed me. It seems like a good idea right now and I guess that until a better, more convincing sounding reason comes along then that will just have to do.

You may, if you have studied the header, and assuming that it does in fact say what I assume it does, have some notion of what will be going on here. As a citizen of Morningside, that civilised suburb of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK), I can't help but notice the strange love-hate relationship with the area that most other local folks seem to delight in.

Morningside itself seems to be in a strange state of transition at the moment, what with magically multiplying delis, swiftly swopping supermarkets and the ever present men in neon jackets who give out and take away pavement on a seemingly daily basis. I wonder exactly what it will all look like this time next year.

Having moved here over 15 months ago, after having lived in various other Edinburgh districts during the past five or six years, it does seem that there is perhaps something in the water. It's a beautiful part of the city and I love it very much but that doesn't help the fact that day by day I seem to be turning into a caricature of Larry David. I never used to have conversations complaining about the rubbish collection, about the pavements, about the potholes, about the seagulls, about the water rates and above all about the council. It could just be the ageing process. But I don't know . . . I don't think I'm all that old. Yet.

So I thought I would create a place where I could have those conversations without inflicting them on innocent bystanders. Trust me, you're complicit. You've read this far haven't you? Did you give a grim little nod on the words 'pavements', 'potholes', 'seagulls'? Admit it. It's happened to you too.

I thought it would be nice to have a bit of chat about all the good things in Morningside as well. The local cinema, the variety and quality of the shops, the myriad wonders of Mellis, the leafy delights of the Hermitage of Braid. Just to get a bit of balance in place.

And you know, despite all of the above I can't really imagine wanting to move away to live anywhere else right now. Besides, what would I have left to talk about?