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Prashant, 28 March 2010
United Kingdom , London 11°

Spring has sprung...

It is that time of the year.. the clock has changed.. can’t wait for summer anymore and so we have shorted day by an hour. Scientifically it could be a daylight saving...but yes, sunshine can’t be awaited any more now! Last few days have been little warmer...’sunny spells’, as the BBC ‘Weatherlady’ loves to call it, have increased its instances. Days have started getting longer now. Last week, I was ‘eye-catched’ by the Blackthorn tree near my house. For last three-four months, it was mere a structure of slim branches reaching to the sky... a lifeless tree. Now, it is blossomed with white snow flowers! On the street islands, the tulips are trying to reach to the sun. One could see it..,hear it and distantly smell it...the spring has sprung finally!!!
I was in Edinburgh, when the last time I smeared myself in some sunshine! It is strange, despite coming from a tropical country- where sunshine is not a novelty- living in London for past two years has made me long for sunshine. Edinburgh, a beautiful European city... an important city in Scotland- home to Adam Smith, David Hume and many others! At the entrance of Edinburgh castle, stands high a statue of Earl Haig- donated by Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji a Parsi from Bombay! With their peculiar ascents, the Scottish ‘live’ in their own country, using own currency. I exchanged few ‘English’ currencies to ‘Scottish’ currencies and amused myself while exchanging it at the cash counter back in London. The person at the restaurant, shop would shriek mildly when she/he would see a ‘different’ note..thinking I am giving her an Indian note!!! Btw, though Scottish have different figures (No Queen! Of course!) on their notes, it carries the same value across the UK.
Royal Mile- the road leading to Edinburgh Castle is dotted by European style structures on both sides. The road is constructed using old bricks and therefore, famous for ‘Ghost Tours’ in the late evenings. Small lanes leading to smaller lanes reminded me of Old Pune- India. The castle is now custodian of ‘Stone of Scone’ or ‘Coronation Stone’ also known as ‘Stone of Destiny’. A 14th Century stone was used for Coronation of Scottish Kings. The English Kings captured it and took it to London. It is believed that it rested underneath the Queen’s throne to symbolise control over the Scotland. After many controversies it was returned to Edinburgh Castle in 1996.
There have been various debates about the authenticity of the current stone which was returned by the UK Parliament in 1996. A huge castle, housing small chapels, a war museum, many royal buildings and at the core is this ‘Stone of Scone’ and ‘Arms’ signifying the independent status of Scotland. Many Scottish patriots think William Shakespeare was appointed by the then dynasty to write badly about the Scottish Kings and therefore, he wrote Macbeth! For Scottish, Robert Burns is the national Poet. Burns Night (25th Jan) is day of pride and self-esteem for Scottish. Well, it’s celebrated across the globe now for many apparent reasons.
Touring highlands is astonishing. It was mid-Octoboer, peak Autumn... Scottish highlands offers enchanting views in every season- winter, autumn and summer! Roads waving through sky reaching mountains, sometimes accompanies by fresh water lakes and currents...just amazing! Loch Ness (Lake Ness)- (in)famous for Nessi monster! It was funny to watch people have actually spent so much money to investigate this ‘fable’ monster (What a marketing gimmick!!!) And still, one feel- standing on the shores of Loch Ness- that this monster may just peep out to say ‘hello’ to you!!
Contrast to Edinburgh is the city of Aberdeen... aptly names as Granite City. Looks very ‘grey’ during winter and sparkles during sunshine! Maritime Museum tells the story of the oil city as well as of oil exploration industry nearby. Provost Skene house- the oldest surviving house in Aberdeen. It has well preserved the lifestyle of that era. As usual, the train journey to countryside is scenic. Green pastures on one side and the ocean on the other side. When the train stops at little known stations, anxious faces of ‘well comers’ glee with the sight of beloved ones. The anxiety darkens while parting with the beloved ones. Some stations are ‘unwell coming’... the passenger has to head on his own!
So, it is this time of the year again... and I hope to explore more of England (provided the weather remains friendly!) You all... have a great time, whatever you doing!!! Cheers!

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