The Russians are coming
Following on from my mention of socialist medicine in my last post, I thought you might like to see the Russian flag flying over Edinburgh.
Or rather the very small part of Edinburgh occupied currently by the Moscow State Circus.
I took these shots from a shopping complex and cinema built on former industrial land at Leith docks. This area is a mixture of working docks, mooring for the former royal yacht Britannia, blocks of flats (see my post 'The Concrete Shore'), waste land, and the Scottish Government offices at Victoria Quay. The line of blue lights reflecting in the water is just in front of the government offices.
There didn't seem to be much happening at the circus. It all looked rather forlorn sitting in its bit of wasteland, which was how I felt three long hours later after seeing 'The Hobbit' at the cinema. Three hours of my life I will not have again. Three hours of orcs, goblins and slaying, although there was a cute Amish dwarf for comic relief. Perhaps the circus would have been a better choice.
Edited to say, in the light of comments: make up your own mind about The Hobbit - if you want to see it, go and see it. I am just not a particularly hobbit sort of person. Everyone has their faults...
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteWasn't the movie any good? Do you think the circus will be busier during the day?
Hi Kristie, it wasn't my cup of tea, although lots of people will love it. I thought it was hugely drawn out, and I got very bored with the formula orcs+chase+slaying. Then again, I didn't like the book when I read it as a child. Even then I found it rather twee.
ReplyDeleteI imagine the circus has been busier during the day over the holidays. I don't know if it's still there - there's a limit to Edinburgh's appetite for circus.
Well, that settles it, I won't be seeing The Hobbit.
ReplyDeleteIf you're a diehard hobbits and dwarfs fan then it might be worthwhile. I'd hate to have you miss it. I really just went along because the rest of the family wanted to see it.
DeleteI've heard that the hobbit is rather drawn out as well and not really worth seeing. As for socialist medicine, we have it in Canada as well, but it does not pay for dental care unfortunately, no matter what the age, or glasses. Pretty much anything else goes though, which is great. I would hate to live in the United States where medical care costs a bloody fortune!
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit has certainly done well at the box office, but I imagine that the second and third films might suffer.
DeleteIn Scotland NHS eye exams are free every 2 years. We pay for glasses, although people who are eligible will also get help with that cost. For dental treatment most adults over 18 have to pay, although NHS treatment costs less than private treatment, and treatment is still free for certain categories, including pregnant women and up to a year after the baby is born.
I saw the first Lord of the Rings film, and that was essentially - fight a monster, walk a lot, fight a monster, walk a lot... So I gave up on the whole thing. Hooray for Socialist medicine and the circus by night. And Happy New Year, Linda. I hope you have a great 2013 and manage to get out to the countryside as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteI remember my English teacher in 6th year forbidding anyone to write their CSYS (A-level equivalent) dissertation on Lord of the Rings. He said it was more than he could bear. The book was all the rage at that time among the boys (1977).
DeleteHappy New Year to you, Vince, in your winter darkness.
I am not a diehard hobbits and dwarfs fan either, so your posting does it for me !
ReplyDeletethanks ! extremely helpful
Oh, dear, although I liked the books, I was never able to sit through more than 15 minutes of the Lord of the Rings movies. Thank you for saving me from this one by way of your review. Your night shots are lovely.
ReplyDeleteWait, you didn't like "The Hobbit"??? I thought it was fabulous! One of my husband's and my favorite things to do is watch a movie marathon of all the Lord of the Rings movies, back to back... can't wait until The Hobbit is out on dvd so we'll have MORE!
ReplyDeleteAh, well - to each their own, I suppose. Better that you don't watch the movies, and spend all your time taking photos of Scotland for us to enjoy!
I loved the book better than LOTR but I can't see how it can fill 3 movies.
ReplyDeleteOne of my daughters, Sue, and her whole family are Hobbit fans and they have read every book about them and they saw the film and loved it!
ReplyDeleteI have absolutely NO interest in all that fantasy stuff at all!! I am not at all surprised that you didn't care for it.
As for the circus, I wonder that it looks so lonely. There didn't seem to be anybody around. I used to love a good circus, but haven't been to one in such a long time. I'm pretty sure I would enjoy it though, and certainly a lot more than anything to do with hobbits.
I meant to respond to this post as soon as I read it - but hey ho, I'm not that organised! Partly I've been racking my brains as to what it is that makes 'winter entertainment so desolate!' You're comment on my blog was spot on. Winter entertainment in the form of a fairground at the end of the pier on a grey penetratingly cold day was frankly depressing as is a jolly circus tent sitting forlornly on a bit of wasteland in the middle of winter! And by the sound of it the Hobbit wasn't much better either!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I am missing you, Linda. I'm afraid I am not much more active on my blog than you are. I finally got around to blogging again, but I was so busy for awhile there that I didn't have time for anything extra. Anyway, I'm back and hope that all is going well for you.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep checking your blog though, so take your time. It's probably needed. Love ya...........Darlene
As always with big intrepid adventures to the mainland and newly released films, I slept though most of it. By the time I get anywhere if I'm put in a ark seat in a comfy room, I'm afraid there's only one outcome.
ReplyDeleteNice looking tent!