Posts Tagged ‘Scotland’

Edinburgh visit – March + Roisin’s EP Launch

May 2, 2013

Hello again,

Continuing along… the next notable thing that I did with my life was head to Edinburgh two weeks after Roisin’s departure to support her for her EP Launch and fill up on all the UK things that one requires once they know that they exist. Like… getting an entirely new wardrobe of sassy clothes for about £100 from Primark. (I must have spent about 8 hours in there.) Load up on cheap hair dye, Boots’ nice quality cotton make up remover pads, Bonjour Paris eyeliner that I’ve made my staple, and of course delicious burritos, haggis and smoothies.

My whole travel scenario was a bit of a mess… I took a bus 6 hours from Montreal to Toronto- hopped on a plane to Manchester, missed my bus due to a delay- then I had to grab a train from the airport to Edinburgh. Then I finally met Roisin! and then we went and did necessary and slightly un-fun things like getting our eyebrows threaded and picking up all the necessary items from Boots. Then we went back to Roisin’s place and waited for the arrival of one of my favourite people – Mr. Scott Midson- to come join us, also arriving from Machester.

That night we went out for burritos at Illegal Jack’s nom nom nom and decided that evening to dye my hair blonde and then this mango colour that I’ve been swooning over for about 5 years. It turned out fantastique!

The next morning we all went and got piercings (me- rook, Roisin- nose, Scott- forward helix) before coffee and more chit chats, a haircut and then heading to Glasgow that evening for a gig that Roisin was playing with her producer and multi instrumentalist pal Lewis as a lead up to her EP Launch later that week. I also must note here that if you’re ever in Edinburgh and feelin’ an itch for a new piece of jewelry head to Tribe Tattoo and see George. He’s the bloody bee’s knees. I’ve had two piercings done with him and both have healed extremely well.

Another thing to note is that Lucy at Sassoon is the best hairdresser ever. Ever. Ever, ever, ever. I honestly think I’ll continue to travel to Scotland to make sure that no one else touches my tresses- my only exception would be if they are also Sassoon trained. This haircut in particular I think is my favourite… of all my life. And that’s such a nice feeling.

So Roisin was playing The Roxy that night with Erin Todd and Rosie Bans who were delightful. We got to have a sneak peek at some of the tunes that were going to be played at the launch and hear some fantastic music from the other ladies. The video below is one that Scott took of 14.

The next morning we had to say good bye to Scott but we had breakfast at my old work Hula before parting ways so Roisin could practice and I could head to Primark… forever. And never leave.

I ate all the haggis that evening once Roisin persuaded me to leave the store and just chilled out as the EP launch was the very next day.

We kinda had to make the EPs the next morning prior to the show so we made a necessary trip to Lewis’ to get things sorted. Then we got gussied up. Yes, gussied, before making our way to The Wee Red Bar.

Another one of my favourite people- and “mother” of Roisin Hannah O’Reilly opened the show, followed by the incredible Donna Maciocia. I’d never seen her live so that was indeed a treat. Then Roisin took the stage and I was overcome with the proudest “HOLY SHIT THAT’S MAH GIRLFRIEND” feeling ever. She’s so bloody fancy.

For better photos than my shitty horrible ones of the show you can head here.

The rest of my time was pretty much a blur of Los Cardos burritos, coffee, Hula, a fry up and tears … before heading to Manchester to spend a brief evening with Scott before he literally threw me into the train heading to the airport (I would have missed it otherwise heh) and I was on my way back to Montreal… alone… where I would spend about 66 days (not that I’m counting) on my own. *sob*

The happy ending here is duty free of course. I fahking love the duty free store.

K

Róisín and Kayla go to the Zoo

April 7, 2012

My housemate Kharris works at the Edinburgh Zoo and was kind enough to acquire some tickets for Róisín and I in early March. The only other zoo I’d ever been to was the Toronto one and I’d gone ages ago- the appeal of seeing the uber advertised pandas was clearly too much for me and I had to give in.

Lucky for us the weather was fantastique-

Roisin treated me to a squashed penny souvenir- panda panda panda

PANDA!

I kinda feel like I have a weird thing for them as my teddy (yeah… my teddy… don’t act like you don’t have a favourite teddy) is a panda.

This statue is clearly not an act of god but rather, a freak of nature. Thus- he is my favourite. (Why would you blend a coo with a penguin? Especially when there are no coos at the zoo?)

Boar with face paint!

Monkeys are always the best/most exciting thing at the zoo. So we chilled in their house.

This guy was kinda creepy

And this one was havin’ a wank in plain site. Which of course I took about 12 pictures of. I am the classiest. Really, I am.

I claimed to be some form of animal whisperer which is a load of shite but I did manage to lure this bad boy out of the bushes. Deer rodents for the win! (And no, I will not be giving any of the proper animals names during this entry.)

Ok I know this one- tapirs! TAPIRS! Wee tapir!

This rhino was sunbathing. As you do.

The only thing as neat as monkeys at the zoo are the penguins and this zoo has all the penguins. Ones in fancy suits…

And with fancy hair…

Or lacking fancy hair- I think he was Róisín’s favourite. He must get ridiculed by his bros.

Baby penguins … eee!

Dogs of the wild variety-

Flamingos! I don’t think I’d ever seen one before.

Yawny leopard

Now this… this is Róisín’s attempt at recreating the moment when my camera went flying out of my pocket while we were on the tram-like vehicle and I had to ask the driver to stop a couple minutes up the road causing us to disembark sheepishly and walk all the way down the hill to retrieve it in the bushes only to find out that someone had handed it in to lost and found. An adventure really.
…she was raging… :D

View from the top (once we finally made it to the zebras)

This bear is a total stud posin’ for a photo and all that-

Best monkey at the zoo? I think yes, this wee fella and I bonded.

Most frightening thing at the zoo…

More adventures to come surely.

K

Gettin’ to know Edinburgh…

January 17, 2012

I’ve been wanting to do some form of update post about my transition to a new country and city. But it all kinda turned into a photo fest- should I apologize?

Just don’t entirely know what to say as I’m still adjusting. I just know some things for certain:
-I like my job. I really do. I work somewhere that is willing to invest in me regardless of there being a limited amount of time I can devote to them. I get along with the staff, I dig the location, I dig the locals and the regular folk who come in. It’s good.
-I’m meeting new people all of the time and I feel like I’m actually establishing some good chum situations. I’m going out Ceilidh dancing, whiskey drinking and tune singin’- I’m exploring (what feels like) constantly.
-I’m cooking and baking. It does help to have people to share these delicious things with – The Chris and Kayla cooking sessions have definitely resulted in some of the more epic food adventures. (Photos below) And my newly acquired friend Marie and I will likely cook some veggie noms in the near future. But it’s so nice to have the time to do these things.
-I’m gettin’ creative- I’m writing, I’m drawin’, I’m singin’… hopefully a bit more of that now that I’m more settled in.
-I chat – well text, my BFF Arthur every day. I like this. He’s knitted into the fabric of my day.

It’s good. Yeah?

I have to admit that pretty much 90% of the “life improvements” I’ve found are a direct result of the shift in employment. I get knackered sure- but … a different kind of knackered…

I’ve been trying to get used to single life- which has come with a somewhat shocking amount of goo. Sticky stuff.
I’ve also been over-thinking everything, all of the time. But I don’t mind the lows. I really don’t. Some nights I like guiltlessly drowning in self pity to wake up the next morning refreshed. It’s good to feel every part of life. (Even if at the time I don’t have the perspective to recognize its’ benefits-)

But the last few days have allowed me to feel like I’m emerging from something- so I guess I’ve made progress. No longer adjusting I bet- just living. And I’m down with that.

Anyway- PHOTOS!

In October I started making my trips to Edinburgh to get sorted- when I went to pass out CVs I took note of this dude’s socks in Preston. Ace.

Elephant House breakfast-

I ended up in The Last Drop to eat and have a celebratory pint for my hard work and the power went out. I think it only added to the atmosphere. Candlelight is always enjoyable.

The next trip I made was to do some job interviews. I found myself right back in the Grassmarket where the Last Drop is located. I took these while waiting to head in to Hula for my interview/work trial.

And then I lucked out by getting an appointment to see some flats… so I decided to walk out to Corstophine to check out what my potential new hood would be like – and see the proximity to downtown etc.
The sun looked perfect as it set by Donaldson’s College.

Impressive cakes.

On the way to the train station home I appreciated the Christmas decor.
Mmm Christmas.

And then I began the hardest part physically and emotionally… packing. oi.
These suckers come with me everywhere.

I made my move really hectic and crazy- not giving myself a single day off between my old and new job… lesson learned on that one. I’m not a bloody magician.
I was lucky enough to have Scott and Anna over on my second night. I lacked in all departments though. I had no sheets or towels to offer them so we ended up sleeping the three of us on two pillow case-less Argos pillows with a cover-less duvet. It was all good though- I gave them t-shirts to shower with and we giggled our way through the evening.

Then I began to explore my neighbourhood. I love this. LOVE.

I got a little too pumped about buying Scotch tape in Scotland…

BEWARE!

Finally thanks to the 24 hour Tesco I acquired some sheets. Sweet sweet cuddly cocoon making sheets.

I get to check out this view of the castle every single day on my way to work. Just… gaaahhh

A week later I got to have another friendly adventure when Cameron Stewart came to town. We sauntered up to the castle where I took this shot-

Then I told him about the mysterious book sculptures that’d appeared around the city so we went on a hunt.

Then I took him to Black Medicine – a hip cafe, where I fell in love with this chair. So low… with such a high back.

And he introduced me to Spoon where I discovered I could linger until Midnight on some evenings.

Then the Christmas markets came to town- not as good as Manchester but the Orkney burger takes the bloody cake.

This is the horrific photo that graces my bus pass. I look cross-eyed and frightened. She didn’t give me any warning :(

So much exploring.

I’m one for sweet things but this bad boy was almost too much.

Chris turned 32 thus I baked him a chocolate cake- Hillier family tradition. All birthdays mean epic chocolate cakes folks.

Stirfry cooking excursion 1.

My work’s Christmas party went out for the most delicious curry nummers. SO GOOD.

Cooking excursion 2- stew. NOM. I really need to make this bad boy again. The leftovers aged epicly.

Necessary apple strudel consumed from the markets.

Also necessary puddle splashing.

I was pressed for time when it came to Christmas baking… so this happened on boxing day around 1am. Deeeelicious.

Cooking excursion 3- the most bloody holy crap delicious lasagna. Between this sucker and the stew was another stirfry… but this lasagna… ohhh man… so good. Gonna make it again Thursday actually.

I miss this beast. I actually miss it.

I wasn’t really involved in this creation. I chopped the spinach. Foooooood. Delicious foooooood.

Marie and I testing out the mains at Under the Stairs. Really dig that place. Just wish they had wifi so I could do some work… could draw there I suppose.
This is their Supreme Chicken.

And these are their ridiculous alcoholic hot beverages.

Marie and I had an evening of Ceilidh dancing- beforehand we went for a pint and I was stoked about these melty fireplace candles…

These two were taken by the actual Ceilidh club. We’re gonna try to go every week. SO much fun!

Been eatin’ mah porridge every morning too. Particularly enjoyed the blue tights and blueberry colour co-ordination.

More spinach and egg deliciousness

Exploring Leith… was nice to get close to the water…

Boda- brilliant little pub. Definitely think I will frequent here often.

Best veggie sausages I’ve ever tasted from the Fiddler’s Arms. Really, really good stuff.

Acquiring the best seat at Under the Stairs with Marie.

Many adventures to come. Loads more exploring to do- I haven’t even taken a bite of this area. There is so much to see and do.

K


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