things to do on sunday

 

15-06-25 A Sunday half-way through June. The weather appeared to be brightening so we went for a constitutional round Holyrood Park. We hadn't remembered it was the day of the Seven Hills Race. For a long while this was one of our favourites - always a challenging 14miles plus round seven tops in a large circuit of Edinburgh. Involving climbs, scrambles, steep descents and road crossings: no easy race. One of the last events I did. And I promised myself I'd never enter it again unless I'd done the requisite training.

I had stopped competing (and training) during lockdown and thought I'd have residual fitness enough to manage a reasonable time. I crashed and burned fairly early on and the rest was a humiliation going backwards through the field. I have never found my running mojo to train regularly since, so have stayed away from most such events. Do I miss them? Not enough to go out and train properly, but the socialising and satisfaction of a hard day out busting a gut, crossing the line absolutely done in, yes a bit. But not enough to train hard again. Not sure why. You'd think I have the time, being retired, but other more creative tasks have taken the place of physical endeavour. Taking photos and processing them as well as recording local wildlife is obviously more satisfying to my creative side. The running comes a distant second. I'd love to be fitter but just can't find the wherewithal to be bothered. Maybe because Mary isn't running these days, although hopefully she will be soon.

We went to Holyrood via New Calton Burial Ground below Regents Road. It feels as if it should have more pollinators than it does, although there can be a few butterflies there on occasion. Today a hebe bush was the main draw (and always plenty valerian) with a couple of admirals and a couple of very smart small torts. It seems to be one of the few cemeteries that is still frequented by creatures of the night, not body-snatchers as such, unless that is a euphemism. There are often empty bottles and today, lube sachets. Nice!

Don't know which conflict this references, but I agree.
There is nothing being improved by all the current fighting, just misery.

Has anyone noticed the people starting wars are rarely actually wounded by them. Instead they stay well away from the action and send other people off to die. I think if we took a vote about going to war it would only be those isolated from war that would vote for it. Those and the arms manufacturers. Keir Starmer should be ashamed about selling weapons to Israel to help perpetrate a genocide. The people being made homeless and dead by conflict would probably vote against it. But it rumbles on and on and these days seems to leave cities uninhabitable meaning there are no winners. It just creates misery, poverty and refugees. Putin cannot say look I just got this entire city back in my power because there is only rubble left. Zelenskyy is getting more people killed than saved in a war that he can never win. And in the middle East, if you have had one genocide waged against your tribe it seems to be just fine to commit another. I have stopped watching the news and they can all go to hell. I am not interested and none of it is as worthwhile or interesting as the plainest of butterflies. I'm out.

who'd have thought it,
a Vegan Friendly product for your meat?

small tort on hebe

RA on valerian

As we left the cemetery by the lower entrance we saw the 7 Hills
 competitors running along the last mile before finishing at Calton Hill. 

there was also some Asian event next to the Palace
lots of call and response which was charming and cheerful

I just googled the flag below which may or may not be Jai Shri Shyam a devotional chant and greeting in Hinduism associated with Khatu Shyam Ji who is believed to be a form of Lord Krishna. I am not a fan of religion, in fact I am extremely sceptical of the value of any organised community that pretends they can communicate with entirely invisible, absent, non-responsive, non-reactive deities thought up by primitive people a long time ago. I mean why would you adopt the world-view of simple people who had no access to the world of science as we do. You wouldn't take their advice on hygene, medicine, diet or animal welfare, why would you listen to their spiritual myths and fantasies and buy into that? It just seems so backward and childish. Nobody has ever explained to me adequately why (non existent) deities require worship. Or what you might receive in exchange. And if it is only a reward in the afterlife then why not wait till then to see who or what turns up and judge that on its merits rather than buy into some heresay from people ill-disposed to know anything about said afterlife, but with perhaps half an eye on your hard-earned income.

If someone said I've got this job of work I'd like you to do but I won't pay you until you die, I'd reply I'll get right on it - as soon as I die. Anything else is irrational and foolish. We don't give any credence to Greek and Roman gods and only think of them as fanciful and the archaic mythical products of ignorance and fantasy. Why then value any god? That goes for ALL religions particularly the more usual ones round these parts. I mean they are all just flim-flam and wishful thinking that have no material benefit other than as a placebo for people who are too timid to face death, aren't they? You don't find that all the (name your favourite sect or cult) walk away from plane crashes or don't get cancer? And ALL gods are notorious for standing by and letting atrocities and natural disasters rampage across the world while they watch and do absolutely zero. However each to their own and certainly they (worshippers) seem less immoral than the warmongerers, and if they find enrichment doing some call and response in the park on a sunny day, in fancy dress, then good for them.

Pascal, a Dutch giant who comes over most years to
compete in the 7 Hills.

We had quite a wander round the park but it looks like the only butterfly about
was this grayling, my first of the year. It was too windy for much else.

another "religious" gathering?
at least you get a commemorative coaster with this crowd

On our way home there were still some late finishers, finishing. When up Whinny Hill we had to direct a couple of stragglers who were watching their feet rather than the direction others were taking, coming off the summit of Arthur's Seat. 

falling somewhat behind

As we came down to London Road we bumped in Steve. Great to see he had had the courage that I clearly lacked, to do an all time personal worst at the 7 Hills (collect a coaster) and still be smiling afterwards. He had seen the entries go on sale online and thought why not? I believe during the race he realised several convincing arguments against, but good for him putting himself through this gruelling event and surviving. The beers with his mates later that afternoon would be well earned!