Friday 10 August 2012

Almost Homesick



Periodically I get a bit homesick for Edinburgh.  Unlike when I lived there and was sick of home, but I was a wee bit younger then.  As I approach my decrepitude I sometimes long for things I once knew, the family, the attitudes, the football, the rain.  After all these years falling flat on my face in this dead end I am beginning to wish for other things.  Being closer to the family up north is one thing, being nearer to friends down on the south coast near the sea is another.  So I indulge myself in an occasional fantasy of life in one of these places, or indeed in a place where the sun shines each day rather than once in a blue moon - or whatever the phrase is.  

However these remain fantasies.  Money prevents any move, unless someone rich pays.  More importantly life is not a fantasy, reality moves in and slaps you across the face, rather like that lass on the No 19 bus that time...   Edinburgh has changed a great deal since 1975.  A vibrant, diverse (a word usually meaning gayboys!), multi-cultural place today whereas in the past....now just hold on a minute!  Edinburgh has always been 'vibrant!  It is Scotland's capital city, with a financial centre second only to London, and constant contact between both, Fred Goodwin anyone?  'Diverse?'  There has always been 'diverse 'folks up Calton Hill I can tell you.  I was followed by one when I was about eleven years old and that was diverse enough for me!  We all knew about the 'Abercrombie' in those days, although I never went near the place.  Whether it still exists I know not but they say that in the past the Police would round such folks up (probably during the Festival) and dump them on the London train to haste them 'back where ye belong!'  'Multi-cultural?'  The University,  the Medical school, a wide variety of embassy consulates and business interests (Heart of Midlothian played a black player a few times in the late 19th century.  His dad ran a business in Leith.  He wasn't that good mind, belonged at Hibs!)  At primary school several kids form such places attended, one black lad playing football in the playground in bare feet!  He was brilliant!  

However while it has always been such a city it has changed.  Better in many ways, worse in others.  Would I fit in there today if I could afford it?  Do I really want to live in a city?  Somewhere nearby may be better, a place a bit like this one, but without the neds in the park opposite!  The south coast would be similar to Edinburgh, with a warmer sea than the Forth!.  Nearer to good friends but not my 'home,' as it were.  Expensive but by the sea, which means tourists, which is not good.   Of course you will  note I have not mentioned whether the family or my friends would wish me to be any nearer than a few hundred miles away.  I will not ask, and people tend to prefer me at a distance I find, so possibly better not to disrupt that!  Ah well, back to reality.  Changes in some circumstances are afoot, at least I don't mean my foot is changing, what I mea... never mind.   Maybe in a months time something new will have changed my mind again.  I may have a better fantasy to work on by then, a cheaper one hopefully.

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9 comments:

Relax Max said...

When did you leave? How long ago? Why did you leave, if that is not being too personal.

You know you love it. You know you won't be happy until you go home. Find a way.

If you expect to get into a time machine and have it exactly like it was during your glory days, you will be disappointed. In that sense, it is true you can't go home again. But you can accept it as it now is and make it your home again. You could.

Or if you just want to get a bit closer and get away from the park, I think soub has a place for sale. On a nice quiet street...

Relax Max said...

But the picture in the post is a bit more recent than when you lived there, right? No matter. Just watch out for the street cars.

Adullamite said...

Max, send money......

Max, Street Cars? You mean 'Trams.'

Relax Max said...

Is that what I meant? Amazing. I thought trams were those cars that ran on cables up the sides of mountains. Those are probably trollies.

Adullamite said...

Max, I think your off your trolley......

Mike Smith said...

Come back to Auld Reekie, Mr H - the city needs you!

Adullamite said...

Mike, Hmmmm

Anonymous said...

I hope my wee posting about having visited Edinburgh on 10th didn't unsettle you Dully!

I think it's a marvellous city. Knocks Glasgow into a cocked hat any day.

Adullamite said...

Rab, You never upset me!!!