With some trepidation to Embra in view a of lack of confidence in Mr Bett's (an appropriate name for a weather tipster) forecast claiming lovely sunny weather for the Borders and Ould Reekie and a lot of the white stuff north and south of us. DISRUPTION screams Page 405 of Teletext. Venture out at your peril-safer stay inside with your virally challenged chickens. So I took a risk and the train. Some snow in Hutton but so far no where else.
GNER have reverted to their old style rolling stock. Stiff metal handles, semi automatic doors-semi in the sense that they only half open-not good for the large lady who took up at least four seats across the aisle-two with her bum and two with her knees and also half blocking the aisle to (enormous) boot. She made no move to get out at Waverley Street or perhaps she did but it didn't work. Rather like the Loos-as usual after York they are noisesome as they have not been flushed since the water ran out at Peterborough. Accumulated breakfasts all day have taken their toll by Berwick-fast food equals faster digestion according to a recent paper published by a boffin at the Hutton Think Tank's Analytical Research and Lifestyle Section. And, apparently, the motion of the train has an accelerating effect on other types of movement, bowel included. I won't spoil the ending, read it for yourself ' Let the Train ease the Strain' (HTT occasional papers. £65)
So up Princes Street-too cold a wind for Kilts so hopefully no mendicant piper. And if the favourite other mendicant is there, with his wee dog in its padded flap jacket fresh from being abused in Basra I will give them a long sympathetic glance, an encouraging smile and wish them a heartfelt 'Good Day' My specie, I fear, is needed for the Dental practicioner of Rose Street.