Chance discovery

We had a mission on this chilly Edinburgh day. We’d an appointment with a conservator who works in the old coach house of Hopetoun House, outside South Queensferry - apparently the setting for chunks of Outlander, though that is outwith my area of expertise. Having had our suspicions about an old newspaper confirmed, we headed into South Queensferry just because I had only been once and wasn’t feeling like another stately home…

We parked close by an unobtrusive building which turned out to be a church … a pisky church … an ancient and fascinating church. Spotting that one of two men apparently gardening wore a dog collar, I asked if the church was open. “It is now!” said the actual gardener, and in we went.

Turns out it was The Priory, a 15th century Friary for the Carmelites, now returned after various historical uses to its first purpose minus the monks. The priest in the clerical collar was one of two retired clergy holding the fort till a new one arrived, and knew a huge amount of its history. It was glorious, stone roof and all - and warm, even on this windy day, because of underfloor heating. (Not that I’m envious, not at all …)

After that it was time for an excellent bacon and avocado roll in a bakery cafe , a chilly walk through the old town  with views of all three bridges, and back to our son’s to join the boys in some online games - war and racing in equal measure.

Then a walk with Po and Alan, and back to crash. I’ve done my Italian and acquired a glass of red wine and now I’m crashing with renewed vigour. Wee paradox, huh?