Changing weather...

I moved to Scotland about 7 months ago and it’s been about 5 months since I've settled down in Edinburgh. And during that period I was lucky enough to get acquainted  with all kinds of weather and temperatures – except from scotching heat!   One think typical (not to say funny, as I don’t want to sound sarcastic!) about Scotland is it’s changing weather: you can experience 4 seasons in one day. I have a clear memory of one particular morning of mid-April. I woke up at about 8 and the sun was already shining. By the time I got out it was snowing. I sheltered in a coffe shop to keep me warm and while enjoying my double espresso I could see rain through the window…  Apart from sun and rain you can also have hails at any time, all year round – yes even in june!  I've experienced spring, summer and autumn so far.  I’m now looking forward to see what is winter like…

I’ve got news for all skepticals about Scotland's weather: the weather has not always been as it is today…

All over Scotland the weather is pretty much the same  = CHANGING.  There are still some regional differences. To keep it short: the western part is among the wettest and windiest places in Europe, the eastern part enjoys an annual rainfall that is similar to Rome and Barcelona.  Guess where I chose to live!

Past Saturday I joined a nice bunch of people for a refreshing walk on Arthur’s seat. We were accompanied by a geologist who told us a bit more about the extinct Volcano, which erupted some 340 million years ago. He also gave us interesting information about the rocks, sandstones, basalt…  and the climate.  Scotland was  located close to the equator by then with warm, even tropical shallow seas…  Hum hum

For more info about Edinburgh's climate through time, follow this link

The crater

Anthony's chapel, built from the various rocks found on the site

... on the way to Anthony's chapel

 But don't get me wrong. I’m not complaining about the weather. I chose to live here.        I love Edinburgh's fauna and flora just as it is today with its vibrant colours and revigorating climate…

Grey squirrel & random pictures

Grey Squirrel
How big is the chance to see a grey squirrel in a busy shopping street? If you'd asked me a few months ago I'd said zero for sure. Back then, the city centre for me meant Brussels. Brussels is full of traffic and people running from one place to another, surrounded by all sorts of buildings and so few green spaces... no chance to see a squirrel or any other wild species (and NO, men do not come into that categorie!).
But I'm now in Edinburgh, another big (european) capital  and things are a bit different. First of all, Edinburgh is bigger than Brussels ( 260 km2 ><  161 km2) with half of Brussels' population (500,000  >< 1,1 million). Moreover Edinburgh is a green city providing home to an array of wildlife. If you follow the path alongside the Water of Leith, you may see dippers, grey wagtails and even otters. You can see deer, foxes, squirrels and even badgers on Corstorphine Hill. Holyrood Park is home to wildlife such as ravens, buzzards and sparrowhawks.  If you climb up Arthur’s Seat in winter you may see snow buntings. Or you can take a walk around Duddingston Loch to see grey herons.  So yes the chance to encounter wildlife is slighlty bigger in the scottish capital than in Brussels. But on Princes Street. Come on!
Well...

Random pictures:

Newhaven, Leith

Rainbow over the Scott Monument

Arthur's seat

... gently waiting

... sweet Nessie

inspiring Snoopy

 Latest creations:

let's stamp and doodle

customizing an old tin box...

3D card

... dirty stamps and colouring