A walk in a garden

Yesterday Danny and I went to Edinburgh to visit the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.   There was a heavy mist for a couple of hours after we arrived and the less heavy.  No sun all day though.  This garden is much bigger than Benmore which is near us. 

Lots more of my photos in the gardens

The building in the bottom photo is part of the memorial garden to the late Queen Mother.  She loved seashells and this small building is wallpapered totally in shells.

OMG it's the sun!

a wee walk in the village.... and a stop at Gallimaufry for tea and a fresh fruit scone.  Gallimaufry displays beautiful art by local artists and also serves lovely lunches and snacks.  Gallimaufry - Blairmore Gallery

Why do I like living here?

During my visit today at the hairdressers I overheard a fellow customer chatting about how she and her husband would love to live in the US.  She detected my American accent and asked how I came to be here and wondered why I enjoyed living here.  Obviously she thought I was daft for preferring her country to mine. 

I've been asked this question a few times before.  A few years ago a colleague told me she'd love to live in the US because they have great theme parks.  Uh huh.  Good reason, hen.

To answer the question, I guess a list is best.

• It's stunningly gorgeous here!  Lochs, mountains, green, countryside, coastlines, islands.
• The Scottish sense of humour, although I don't always appreciate it....
• The slang, the lowlands Scots language - very entertaining to listen to.
• The accents.
• The pride in being Scottish, so many people knowing their history well. 
• The long distinguised history of Scotland - the Enlightenment, free education, free university tuition, inventors, engineers, there was a high literacy rate in Scotland even in the 17th century, etc.
• People are easy-going and friendly and will talk to people they don't know.  Nobody is suspicious when spoken to by a stranger. 
• The open-mindedness of Europeans in general.  The lack of prudishness.
• My interest in ancient history and culture is easily satisfied here as it's at my fingertips.
• I like old architecture and find it interesting and full of character. 
• There is a charm in old villages, old churches, well-preserved and cherished.
• The NHS.
• The Scottish goverment takes care of its elderly. 
• The ease of taking short trips to continental Europe, Ireland and the rest of the UK. 
• I feel at home here.

Anything negative?  Well, the weather kinda sucks.

Autumn

Benmore Botanic Gardens - Redwoods, Japanese Maple on the pond.
A waterfall in Puck's Glen near our home. 
More photos here