Scotland – 10th anniversary of Devolution

Congratulations, Scotland, on this 10th anniversary of Devolution.

Photo from public domain

The above is a photo of the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh (great building, wrong location) forming a backdrop to the Saltire, the Scottish flag. I don't know who the two gentlemen are.

Photo from public domain

Another image of the Parliament Building. You can see my own photos of the place in a post of November 2006.

Bundesplatz in Berne

Hello again

Spring has sprung but it jumped in with a very cold spell. Still, the Easter weekend looks set to be pleasant enough, especially if the cold northerly actually does die down.

A year ago I was on my much-loved Hebridean island of Iona -- a very different scene. I do hope to make it back to Scotland soon. Even though life here is not too bad, and I have recently had some fascinating jobs (more of which perhaps later), I long for the rugged beauty and fresh air of the Scottish west coast and the Hebridean islands. It must be the salt air that I miss most, and some of the really lovely people I met on my travels last year and the years before. Greetings to you all!

But now I would like to share with you some of the watery exhilaration that may be enjoyed in the warmer season by visitors to and residents of Berne alike. Have fun!

Remember my colourful pix from Museum Night a couple of weeks ago? Because I had lots of positive feedback on them, here they are again:
And this is what the renovated square looks like on a sunny day. The Federal Parliament building in the background, wrapped up until summer next year because of renovation work to its sandstone façade and a complete overhaul inside. The big photo on the "wrapping" shows the lantern atop the round cupola, which is now hidden below the "Grecian" triangle at the top of the scaffolding. Initially I wasn't even aware of taking a photo of a photo, but we could take this further...
But it's rare for the square to be so empty of people. The next few photos show what usually happens on a weekday afternoon.

Most commonly, spectators ring the square with its intermittent water jets:
But these two wanted to know it exactly, examining the ground to see just where the water was coming from:
...when they were caught out. A quick look back at their partner to reassure them everything is still ok:
Kids love the place, be they small...
... or a little older. Girls will happily join in the fun. The one in dark and ringed tops first walked dodging the water, then she waited in the wings for her next opportunity (left edge of photo below):
She kept rushing through the jets even though the weather wasn't all that warm:
Here she comes sprinting back again:
... and there she goes as someone else launches himself into the water...
This is spectacular, but very wet:
Pity I can't reproduce the noise of the water rising and falling.

Bye for now!