Two excellent films: The History Boys (on video) and Atonement (in the cinemas still). The first is written by Alan Bennett and “sparkles with wit and charm”, not to mention much discussion of complex male sexuality. The second adapted from Ian McEwan’s novel, has straightforward sexuality, but an excellent exploration of false testimony, guilt and attempted atonement. It also has the most amazing tracking shot I’ve ever seen - a full 10 minutes where the camera and the leading actors must have travelled over half a mile on foot.

We celebrated early in Edinburgh with a fine meal out at [Mamma Roma's](http://www.mamma-roma.net/). Their steaks are to be recommended

Our Edinburgh mini-tournament: 352-250 saw Martha handsomely beat me in the first game, despite having pretty well balanced tiles. The next day I had a more narrow 310-282 victory, also with matched tiles. Our combined average is still just on 600. We need to start bingoing (playing all 7 tiles in a single go) to move beyond this level.

Just visited the amazing new Scottish Parliament building designed by Enric Mirailes — complex doesn’t begin to describe it! I’d hate to have been the builders - every item looked different, with almost no straight walls. We resisted the temptation to sit in the First Minister’s seat in the debating chamber, or press his (voting) buttons (ooo errr). We loved the idea of the Contemplation Pods designed to encourage the MSPs to think carefully before going to the Chamber, and Martha spotted the

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight (Psalm 19.14)

phrase carved on the outside of the building, which couldn’t be more fitting. The building is almost inpsiring enough to make you want to be a Scottish Parliamentarian, particularly they now have some powers.

We spent some time discussing the Jack Straw article in Prospect about the West Lothian question, which says that it’s best to leave it be, otherwise you’ll start down the path of full devolution …

Unlike normal, we spent today getting good exercise climbing two of the main heights around Edinburgh. We were feeling fresh so climbed up the 143 steps to the top of the Nelson Monument set at the top of Calton Hill to get some fine views over a slightly hazy Edinburgh skyline. It’s not often you get to look down almost vertically on a tree, though the photo of it isn’t as interesting as you think it should be. (The photos are shots that I took without a tripod and made into panoramas using the excellent AutoStitch application.)

Following a hint from others in the B&B we went down Victoria Row where there were lots of interesting shops, and had a fantastic lunch at Maison Bleue. Martha had Moules Marinieres, Sea Bass and Chessecake all for under £8! Suitably fortified, we then headed up the mound to the Castle, checked that the Honours of Scotland (~the Crown Jewels) hadn’t been nicked, and looked back to Calton Hill the other way.

Emma’s busy taking driving lessons, and we hope that she’ll have passed her test earlyish in 2008. At that point we want to buy a second car at that point so she has one she can use. But this raises some important questions …

Is this just following the herd? We went down to just 1 car soon after we got married, partly to be more green, partly to save money, and also because it would encourage us to walk more. All of which it has done, and we’d happy with that. So are we being anti-green? (And what colour would be the opposite of green?)

Then what sort of car to get? Given that its much more likely that prangs and accidents will happen in the first year or two of driving, it makes sense to get an old banger for a few hundred quid. But these don’t tend to have got very good crash safety ratings. So do we get a secondhand car with good safety but at 5 or 10 times the price? Or do we go more expensive still, insure it well, and aim to have that as the replacement for the estate when we no longer need that?

So, after some frantic extra ordering of food, as we couldn’t count the number of family and friends properly, we all had a great time at the meal. Emma got out of making a speech, but she did (wo)manfully try blowing out her sparkler candles. Young Joshua gots lots of attention, and was fascinated by the way that balloons defy gravity. Much fun. Thanks for the occasion, Emma!

See the pictures [in our gallery](http://picasaweb.google.com/thejgc/EmmaS18thBirthdayMeal), or via the Gallery page link above.

In case the question was in doubt - after all Bishops and Priests/Vicars/Rectors/etc. are people just like the rest of us - a read of Bishop Alan’s blog should provide enough evidence. The latest one I enjoyed a lot from him was Dry Sermon Displacement activity for the Postmodern. This finishes:

… if the sermon, er, failed to shine, people used to amuse themselves by turning to the back of the Book of Common Prayer and reading the Table of Kindred and Affinity wherein whoseover are related are forbidden by the Church of England to Marry Together.
…
But cheer up! Help is at hand! Here is this autumn’s Must-Have, the Hymn Book iPod Case. Whatever makes you look rapt, from Montiverdi to the Clash, you can turn those vales of misery into your own personal well in Church, without looking anything less than the Trendy Geezer you are. Magic!

After the case this year where a lady was done for listening to her iPod whilst wearing a hijab in the jury box during a criminal trial, I don’t recommend these for Bishops. But then we don’t need it, because we never get bored in Church. So that’s OK.

Sarcasm too!

Martha still has her painful tennis elbow and Emma’s mostly got over her sprained Achilles tendon. Then we hear that Paul’s father died fairly suddenly on Friday. So Paul won’t be able to get to Emma’s 18th Birthday Family Meal tomorrow at the Storyteller in Cheltenham. We’re praying for Paul and his mother.

Was it just me, or did a milk float go past at 4am this morning, making 2 stops near us? If so, years since I’ve heard the distinctive whirr of that part of the dawn chorus.