A rare excursion to Ould Reekie. Mr Deakin has ordered rain and murk for the Borders so we hope for gentler climes further north. Embra is bracing itself for a series of manifestations connected with the G8 summit-the first being the massive demonstration this weekend in support of 'Make Poverty History' I wonder what the camouflaged mendicant and his wee dog on Princes Street will make of all this? Will he march or will he feel that with all the emphasis on Africa charity should begin nearer home. My advice would be for him to stay his ground, put on a less military garb, shampoo the dog, don't feed it for a few days and get a very large hat for donations. Middle aged matrons, fresh out of church organised buses will not be able to resist crossing his outstretched palm with specie and feeling that the end of poverty might as well start with him and a decent meal for the mutt.
Two would be marchers were discussing the event behind Huttonian on the train. One kept on referring to it as a protest and was conjuring up wistful visions of anarchists and tree huggers confronting mounted police wielding East Lothian issue batons, crowd control for the use of. The other referred twice to the demonstration as 'Make Puberty History' She probably has large spotty adolescent hulking sons and now has a cause she can wholeheartedly endorse. Our lay assistant in the Piscie church referred in his intercessions for divine support for ' Make Peace History' I may be mistaken but I thought I heard a chuckle up there amongst the suppressed hilarity of the congregation here below. Many a true word etc.
I have now killed enough time and the coffee is cold. So off to the Hygenist/dentist surgery.No pain here. Marble halls, soft music, ten copies of Hullo, beautifully appointed fittings, gentle hands, apologetically presented bill and a lighter wallet. Much lighter
