Friday 23 October 2015

Pondering...


The question was put "Why don't you live in Edinburgh?"  A question I must report that has often been asked of me, sometimes from between gritted teeth.  This got me thinking as to why.  There are many reasons, cash being the most obvious.  Had I been rich I would have a wee house up there and one wee house down here spending winter in the warm soft south and Spring and summer, or the odd day as it's called, up there.  Actually if I had money I may move to Portugal where it is warm most of the time!  The Festival and its Fringe in August would certainly force me elsewhere, even the north pole would do to avoid the millions of weirdos who arrive in Edinburgh at that time, some of you may possibly be amongst them!
Who do I know in Edina now?  Few family members around and mostly well out of the city, no living space for me there.  They have their own families and lives which differ from mine, they have little need of me.  The people I knew when I left, for good as it turned out, in 1975 have moved on, who knows how they have changed over the years?  The one remaining pillar is the Heart of Midlothian footbll club and it is now impossible to get in to see them as they are crowded out each week!  The more I consider it the less I see for me there.
I was born  in Edinburgh's Western General Hospital in nineteen hundred and typing error, an excellent hospital ten times the size from when I first arrived.  Edinburgh then was an decent place to grow up, the housing was new, the neighbours got on well, attitudes after the war carried much that had developed during the war and many wished to create a better world.  Schools disciplined the chidlren, a slap on the legs at primary was not uncommon, and the leather strap across the hands just as common in secondary school, today teachers will not even raise their voices to the brats!  In spite of having nothing kids got everything as parents took advantage of their new lives, lives that were hard but much, much better than those they endured as youngsters.
Edinburgh then was a darker place, generations of soot covered the buildings leaving a black exterior, rain mingling with smoke from countless fires at work and home brought to life the nickname ''Auld Reekie.'  An all too often bleak city in winter.  However then as now Edinburgh teamed with history, all facilities required could be obtained especially if money was available and there was always lots going on.  This now has increased abundantly as these more propserous days have opened up new avenues of enjoyment.  (Bah Humbug! I begin to cry, bring back misery!)
However Edinburgh may have had many good things it also had some bad ones.  Many memories I have are not of good times but bad ones.  In spite of all that is on offer much more is required in life and I had to go elsewhere for that.  
Having worked in London a few years before I retunred there to attend the Baptist Church in Westbourne Grove.  This was Gods plan although I did not realise this at the time.  This then became home for men for another twentysomething years.  Edinburghs advantages fade when confronted with the Living God!  This was a good, though difficult, time.  Living at first in some ropey housing then moving into one box after another does not please some folks but it was a life and I was in the right place.  Edinburgh however had at least got sky!  From the window looking north we could see across the field and the Forth the hills of Fife, in London we could see one row of houses after another.   As the song says, "We could see to Hackney Marshes, if it wasn't for the houses in between."  The pace of life did not bother me until my forties and the church also broke up at that time the period of Gods work moving into a different direction.  When that period ended I removed myself to this part of Essex for another twenty years, but that is another story.  Would I go back to Edinburgh now?  If Scotland became independent it would be an exciting idea.  However I cannot afford to move to the shops let alone Edinburgh or a wee hoose in the Highlands.  It snows less here also!  
I have not discussed the attitudes of the peoples either.  They vary enormously from this area, London and Scotland.  The culture is different but hw different from when I lived there?  Then there were few drug takers, but many drunks, now drug gangs in our area abound.  Traffic is greater than before, the pace higher than I am now used to and it would be more likely I would move into a smlaler area, but where?  I like the slower life now, age is telling, and wish to see the sea again.  A rich man would move near the sea and close to but far enough from a decent size town.  He would also be found in the Algarve during winter however! 
Ah dreams....



10 comments:

the fly in the web said...

You could always give Glasgow a try...(ducks to avoid drone attack).

carol in cairns said...

Such an interesting reflection on your life Adullaman. I totally subscribe to God's plan!

Lee said...

I see I caused you to set off on a-pondering, Mr. Ad-Man...a-wandering through the avenues of your mind.

Money...yes...it would help us fulfill our dreams...even the simplest of dreams. At least, speaking for myself, it would. However, dreams are cheap; and as I have little money I shall stick with my dreams. :)

I thought it was said women were the ones who didn't like to divulge their ages...but I see the affliction also applies to men. Men, it appears, try not only to keep their age a secret, but they attempt to keep it secret that they keep their age secret, also!

I was born within the 11th hour (five minutes thereafter the stroke of 11 am, actually) of the 11th day of the 11th month....1944.

No point keeping it a secret...I can't fool myself, let alone anyone else! :)

Have a wonderful weekend doing whatever makes you happy. :)

Unknown said...

So much more to the story that you will never tell--right?

Lady Di Tn said...

A man
I prefer to live in memories and not go back as it spoils the memories with cluttered progress or in some case decay of places. Let them forever live in memory. I have fitter the time away reading about and looking at photos of Wareham. Oh, you did have a charming place to wonder even on tried knees. Since i do not darken the chair in front of windows, I had to catch up on your weekly journey. At this point the concrete porch is one and the 65 year ole KJ is Zero. Sure wish I had made that tumble when I was 6 or 5 and the score might be different. Keep entertaining us with your wit. Peace

Adullamite said...

Fly, How dare you....!

Carol, Interesting? Boring perhaps.

Lee, Yes indeed it was your fault!!!

Jerry, Maybe aye, maybe no....

Lady, Peace sweetie.

Jenny Woolf said...

Your home is where your spirit is, and luckily you don't need all the bother of actually moving there! I was interested in reading this as I have often wondered how you came to move from Edinburgh to Essex.
These days I think myself that I would like a little place by the sea but perhaps a warmer sea. Greece, or somewhere - a very nice country.

Adullamite said...

Jenny, I would love a Greek island but a wee bit crowded these days.

Mike Smith said...

You'd be welcome in Leith any time, fella. A Jambo abroad!

Adullamite said...

Mike, That's a dangerous place man! I must pass through there again one day.