Another bright and sunny day. After a long walk on the beach we decide on the spur of the moment to take the train to Edinburgh. The train is due to depart at 09:23 and we get onto the platform as it's rolling in.
45 minutes later we're walking towards the Episcopal cathedral. An enjoyable and little visited barn of a place. It's been built with a trying too hard grandiosity that hints this isn't the major denomination in these parts. A hundred and fifty years after it went up it still remains the tallest building in Edinburgh. Inside, the sun is creating magic through the stained glass windows. The organ casing is dappled with swirling psychedelic light. This gives it an entertaining Bach on acid vibe.
High on a wall there's a truly kitsch and truly enormous Edwardian painting of Jesus appearing ( in the artists imagination ) at the cathedrals dedication ceremony. The Messiah humbly has his back to us but all the members of the cathedral clergy are pictured, head on or in profile, in their finest robes. The Dean and the bishop take pride of place although they look a little miserable considering what's going on. The picture has sensibly been placed where tourists are unlikely to see it. How tastes have changed.
Being an Episcopal Cathedral there's also a modern abacus like sculpture. No Episcopal cathedral is complete without a modern sculpture. We can't find any sign to tell us who made it or what it's about. Both of us think it's quite 'jolly' although this may not be the response the artists hoped for. Dusting it is clearly a problem.
At the Georgian House on Charlotte Square they've got an exhibition of Allan Ramsay portraits. In a corner of the gallery there's a dress dating from the 1790's. It was recently discovered wrapped up in a drawer in an attic. Despite being 250 years old it looks remarkably fresh. The curator tells us it's been on display for two months and in her view it's already starting to suffer from exposure to the light. It won't be on display much longer.
After lunch in the new shopping centre we head back to the station. The train departure for our return is punctual to the second.
This morning the sunrise promises another bonny day ahead.
7 comments:
An on the spur of the moment day out is often better than one planned ahead and in detail.
Incredible to think that the dress has survived for so long in such pristine condition. Every inch sewn by hand - no sewing machines back then!
I've never seen plumb bobs arranged so artfully! That dress is lovely. If I were the curator, I'd be tempted to try it on.
Sounds like a great day out.
The process of buying sunglasses in Brazil sounds surprisingly similar to the process of buying a car in the US.
Surely you just go into the dealership, agree on a price, pay the deposit and collect the car the next day ? Buying in Scotland is easy although actually getting the car made is another story. Maybe we should have stuck with Volvo.
Hari OM
The "abacus" is part of collection of glass sculptures by Baldwin & Guggisberg from 2016... I guess this one got left behind! YAM xx
Our son's new truck is on a broken down car transporter somewhere in our province. It was supposed to be here three days ago. They are hoping he has it on Tuesday. Nothing is ever easy
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