A daytrip to Glasgow – we arrived as the sun was setting at like, 2pm
Highgate Park – visiting James in London. We wanted to go to the cemetery but got there too late in the day!
Beautiful Edinburgh as seen from Greyfriar’s Kirkyard
Scotland’s Climate March – parading through Princes Street Gardens
Graduation with my Environmental Sustainability buddies! I like that my Dad is taking the photo so I’m smiling at him but everyone else is looking at a different camera
One of the great things about writing these monthly reviews is that I’ve been doing them for two years now, so I can look back and see what I was doing this time in 2014 and 2013. Pretty neat! This year, November started with me travelling home from the Isle of Man and almost immediately leaving again for a long weekend in London. It was a fun trip and I’m glad I didn’t try to squeeze in too much, which I often do and then get frustrated because the public transport stresses me out and it takes so long to get around. One of the highlights was trying out this cute vegan Japanese restaurant in Kings Cross for mine and James’ 5 year anniversary. I thought the portion sizes were a little small for the price but it was so tasty! Of course I loved, as always, spending time with some of my friends who live down there.
James spent his reading week at my flat and we went to see Garbage at Usher Hall, which was incredible. I’ve loved Garbage since my Dad played them in the car on our family holidays to Northumberland and unsurprisingly, a lot of the audience were of my parents’ generation. Shirley Manson is from Edinburgh and her Dad surprised her on stage with a “wee dram” for everyone, which was the cutest. I also had an amazing day trip to Glasgow, hanging out in the Necropolis, eating all the vegan food (I highly recommend Mono and the Flying Duck if you’re visiting) and topping it off with a Marilyn Manson gig. I’ve been craving good vegan junk food constantly since returning from Berlin, so it’s a good job that Glasgow’s (imho) the best vegan city in the UK. I was so excited I forgot to take any pictures for you, but I promise I will next time!
Last week was super busy because I have a lot to do at work but also because I graduated from my MSc! My parents and grandparents came to stay and a lots of my uni friends returned to Edinburgh. Although many aspects of the graduation ceremony are bullshit (like paying £50 to hire a gown for a couple of hours?!?!) I actually felt really proud to be there. It’s nice to have this event where you should think about the good things you’ve achieved and properly thank everyone who helped you along the way. Spending so much time socialising was hectic, though. Over the last couple of weeks I had built up a good routine of getting up in daylight hours, eating a lot of vegetables, doing my washing up and all those adult things that are harder in the winter months. I wanted to make the most of my friends being around so my routine went to pieces! My friend was staying in this beautiful apartment with a hot tub on the roof, which we took full advantage of, and I’m still recovering.
Last weekend I attended Scotland’s Climate March, one of many that took place all over the world on the weekend to urge world leaders to make radical commitments to reducing climate change at the COP in Paris. I’m glad I went, but I actually think it was less successful than last years’ march. Last year we marched down the Royal Mile and Princes Street (the two main tourist / shopping streets in Edinburgh), stopped traffic and generally made a lot of noise. This year we were funnelled down side streets to avoid disrupting Christmas shopping and Black Friday madness, the very frenzied consumer practices to which we are opposed. The march was so constrained by bureaucracy and local governance that we weren’t publicly visible. What’s the point in a march that no one notices?!? The demonstration was supposed to challenge our government’s pathetically weak commitment to the environment, but we instead let them sideline us and I think the organisers were far too conservative in abiding by the regulations. I might write more about this topic separately – would anyone be interested?
I’m so looking forward to going home for Christmas this year but I’m not ready!! How was your November?
Looks like an awesome November! Mine was good too — got to spend time with family and friends which is always nice, definitely looking forward to winter break though!
Awesome second photo, Lovely!
Let’s compare thoughts of last weekend when we next talk.
C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S ! ! ! ! !
xxx