Home, sweet and terribly hot home...

7 days down, 7 more to go!

After a very long wait, I FINALLY got my two week leave. And as usual, it coincided with good weather in London. For some reason, I always seem to be leaving the country, when the sun comes out over here.

But I mustn't grumble, as the weather was just as good where I went: after a weekend in Nice I spent a week in Paris. So, I think I'm 'done' with France for a little while...

Paris - just as London - is pretty unbearable in the heat though. Unless, you somehow manage to stay in the shade at all times. I certainly would not recommend a visit in the summer! You live and learn...

Anyhow, lots of photos to go through and blog entries to write. But for now, I'd like to say that already after the first weekend, I felt so much more relaxed which just proved the point that I urgently needed a break. And it's been so nice to not think about work (I wisely left my blackberry in my desk drawer at work!) and also to enjoy the change of scenery. I would highly recommend a holiday to anyone! :-)

While, the temperatures in London have taken a dip this weekend - just in time for my return, of course - it's still rather hot in my tiny flat. But while I enjoyed being away, it was also nice to come back home again.

blue sky, the sea = holiday feeling

More food

There certainly is no shortage of restaurants, bars and pubs in Edinburgh. I always find it difficult to pick one when I am traveling. What do you base your decision on? You can of course check the menu - but I am usually able to find something I'd eat in all/most places.

We picked Element Bar as we were getting quite hungry and tired of looking for a place. And we were lucky. Great food, great service, reasonable prices and cool decor. And Tripadvisor agrees. It's situated on Rose Street, where you can find loads of little shops and eateries and which runs in parallel to Princes Street.

Thai Beef Salad

Steak Sandwich (the chips went with the salad)

And onion rings with the sandwich

The Ballantrae Albany Hotel

I picked the Ballantrae Albany Hotel (4*) because of it's proximity to the venue where we held our event as well as the main train station. According to their website it is 'by far the most unique 4 star luxury hotel in Edinburgh'. I haven't been to enough hotels in Edinburgh to confirm this, but I did like the decor. The bed was comfortable and it is right in the city centre. I only stayed one night, so can't say too much else but I would return.

lots of velvet

and my favourite piece in the room!

Views from Calton Hill

One of the famous Edinburgh postcard images - the Calton Hill. And it really is only a hill. After a short walk you can enjoy the view over the city, the National Monument and the Dugald Stewart Monument.

Due to lack of funding, this monument was never finished

Memorial to the Scottish philosopher Dugald Stewart

little things and timing

Sometimes it's the little things that make all the difference. I got in touch with an old friend today. And chatting to her suddenly opened up new perspectives.

Isn't it strange how looking at something from a different angle can completely change the whole picture? And isn't it amazing how things just fall into place in life? As crappy as we (I) sometimes think things are, it does somehow makes sense. Eventually.

So much I still need to learn. Not least about myself.

Ueber den Wolken....

Spot the chicken-man

I would love to get a portrait of myself done. One day. Before then I think I need to live a bit (a lot) more and collect eccentricities along the way.

At the Royal College of Physicians, they have portraits of all their presidents on the walls. I was quite surprised by the originality of some of them! In addition to being realistic portraits, they all reflect the personalities of the sitter.

I especially liked these two:

Probably difficult to see - but on the left you can see a family portrait and him (I'm assuming) skiing:

His love for the theatre was captured - amongst others - in a man wearing a chicken costume:

I just LOVE the chicken!

The lion, the witch and the wardrobe (without the lion and the witch)

I cannot believe I only just discovered this store: The White Stuff. Not least as they have a store near my office... How did I manage to walk past so many times??? The interior design in the store (in Edinburgh at least - the only one I've been to so far) is so cool! And they had live music on a Saturday.

All changing rooms are fronted by wardrobes. And yes, my first thought was: How the hell am I going to have enough space to get changed in a wardrobe?! (they of course open up to a much bigger space...)

the tiled staircase