The Lothian Buses No 31 Bonnyrigg – Eastcraigs, would take me from nearby zone Brixwold in Bonnyrigg all the way to zone Bughtlinside in Edinburgh, but I jumped off early, at bus stop Western Corner (E) on Corstorphine Road, which is handy for zone BalgreenRoad, a unique zone I was aiming for. You will note that I used the phrase jumped off the No 31. That is wholly incorrect. In reality, as advised by the kind hearted bus driver, I slowly and carefully stepped down from the bus while holding onto anything within reach, shuffled like an elderly Emperor penguin to the stone wall for support and was well pleased with myself that I hadn’t fallen on my arse on the ice.
The pavements here were simply atrocious, not a drop of salt had been spread along these pedestrian thoroughfares. In fact, I debated if it would be wise to cross the ice-free road and get the next No 31 bus back home or at least to the ice-free city centre. It was one of those occasions when you think that continuing is a totally stupid idea but that wee voice in your head says don’t be a wimp, it’s not that bad! As a dedicated turfer I listened to the wee voice.
Now, this was not just a touch of frost, this was the ice you get after a couple of days of frost and ground temperatures at or below freezing. Add to the mix a few heavy rain showers, followed by more freezing temperatures and you have the recipe for skating rink pavements. Of course, the main roads are free of ice, cars and buses getting all the attention while we poor pedestrians get nothing at all. Mind you, not all the streets and roads had been treated.
As I shuffled my way across a little side street called Belmont Crescent, I noticed a car coming slowly down the hill. There was also a bus thundering along in the bus lane on the main drag. This might be interesting, so I stopped to watch, waiting to see if the driver had noticed that the paved section at the junction was totally covered in sheet ice. He hadn’t noticed but thankfully, the ABS on the car stopped him just in time. Another meter or so and there would have been an almighty crunch. He was lucky. Perhaps he will pay more attention next time.
Anyway, I decided to go for unique zone BalgreenRoad, then after that, tick off a nearby turfer unique at zone DavidAndAlan held by turfer Planeteer, which was also conveniently located at the bus stop for the No 26 back to Princess Street, where I would meet up with Cathryn, aka ChoccyMuffin. So, after much shuffling and sliding, I eventually got the zone and made it to the bus stop without falling on my butt. It was easier walking on the roads. There was another couple of unique zones, HillWood on Corstorphine Hill and HillTopView in Edinburgh Zoo, both not all that far away but I decided to leave them for another day.
Back on the ice-free pavements of the City Centre – ice-free because you wouldn’t want to stop people going shopping at the post-Christmas sales, would you – I walked up Lothian Road to tick off another turfer unique at zone GrandSquare, held by turfer EMuir125, bringing my grand total of turfer uniques for 2025 to a massive, wait for it, 2! Then I went in search of a public convenience. First, I was lured in by the Toilet sign to the public toilet at the west end of Princess Street Gardens which I soon discover only has a Ladies. Bugger and not very publicly convenient. Though I would later learn there actually was Gents, located upstairs. Will know next time.
Fortunately, I was not desperate enough to use the Ladies, not yet, though had it been otherwise, the Ladies would have to do and to hell with silly gender convention. Anyway, I continued onwards for the public toilet at the Ross Band Stand, which was appeared inaccessible due to contractors clearing away equipment after the Hogmanay festivities, which were actually cancelled to being a bit too windy. Health and safety gone crazy again. Okay, now I’m getting slightly desperate and I didn’t even stop to take zone RossTheatre, dashing across the road and into M&S, ran down the escalator and into the Little Room of Blessed Relief. Ahh, that’s better. The End
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