The Witchery by the Castle
22 August 2009

video


The Witchery by the Castle is where we enjoyed our recent stay in Edinburgh.

I had a lot of fun taking the photographs and footage to put together the video above. I really like the music too - thank heavens for Kevin MacLeod and his Royalty free music.

I have also taken the opportunity to post the beginning of a story I started to write a few years ago and who knows, I may be inspired to continue writing following my recent stay at The Witchery. I can't tell you how much we enjoyed our stay but if you watch the video you will get a good idea :)


"Edinburgh is my favourite city. The first time I found myself walking her grey streets alone I felt welcomed and somehow protected by the ancient masculine buildings. The City’s guardian; the Castle, is located at the end of the Royal Mile crouching on the rock above the city looking down and outwards towards the port of Leith. Narrow, ancient passageways known as Wynds and Closes run off the Mile and here, the wind whips its way around, whispering of secrets and the past. If it is possible to record events in stone than surely it has happened here over the centuries.

That particular afternoon I had been making my way to visit my old friend the Castle. I can recall my mood so well because it was the usual blend of anticipation and elation that I am prone to whenever he is near. I discovered him - perhaps I should say he discovered me - while strolling nonchalantly along the Mile almost directly outside its memorable restaurant The Witchery.

I believe I heard him first, the click of his black leather boot upon the worn stone followed closely by his scent which is almost akin to wood smoke. He was dressed in black - heavy cotton trousers, a ruffled silk shirt and ankle-length wool coat the buttons of which were delicately crafted Celtic Knots of silver. I quickly caught myself and managed to restrain from reaching out to touch his coarse black hair which falls freely to his shoulders in thick waves. The most memorable of all was the startling colour and magnetism of his Wedgwood blue eyes which sparkled then, as they do today, like polished cut crystals in the mount of his flawless ivory skin.

It was as though he had known that I would be there that day and though he had been searching for me, he was still amazed to find me there. Everything about him was familiar. I half expected him to speak and when he stepped aside and allowed me to pass I felt disappointment and far stranger, a sense of rejection.

I continued my walk a few seconds before feeling compelled to turn around and seek him out without any known purpose or intent. For a moment I was confused when he was nowhere to be seen and then realised that the only possible place he could have escaped to in such a short space of time was the nearest Close - I immediately followed.

Once again I was greeted by disappointment as I stood rooted to the spot halfway down a gated passageway. I glanced at the leaded glass windows of the building above, part of me had expected to find him looking down and of course he was not for how could he possibly have journeyed so far in such a short space of time? Reluctantly, I turned around and made my way back towards the Mile where I continued my walk without the elation that had previously accompanied me."

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Posted by Miladysa at 1:57 PM 16 Comments

It's Been a While...
18 August 2009

... and I haven't been writing, reading, blogging or emailing. I've had all the right intentions, made many plans, yet somehow I've failed to muster whatever is required to get these things done.

Don't get me wrong, I've been doing plenty! There's been quite a few events I would have liked to have blogged - Sir H's convalescing, fun times with E and the grandchildren, a newly built water feature in the garden and quite a few others!

There's been a few things that I didn't feel like sharing - Mr Spark's was taken ill and is still regularly visiting the vet, a family member had a life-changing series of strokes, another had a health scare and a long-term relationship bit the dust!

Nonetheless, you've all be in my thoughts even though I've failed to be a good blog-friend recently.

Tomorrow we're away for a short-while - Sir H and moi. There'll be castles, churches, 16th Century lodgings, ghosts, graveyards, witches, archives and ancestors!

I'll be sure to share it all with you when we return :)

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Posted by Miladysa at 8:50 PM 10 Comments