Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Dreamy Autumn Walk in Edinburgh

Starting point is 00:00:00 Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. I'm your host, Thomas, thanks for joining me this evening. Tonight we'll be visiting Scotland's vibrant capital city. You'll enjoy a brisk autumn day in Edinburgh, where we'll walk through leaf-covered parks, passed by historic kill-side castles, and wander down quaint Cobwood streets, before retreating to a warm and delightful, fire-lit pub on this moody weather day. Before we begin, I'd like to thank our friends at Canva Pro for sponsoring this show. Canva Pro is the design platform that the Get Sleepy team uses for all our visual content. Canva Pro makes it so simple to create stunning images, videos, presentations, even websites,

Starting point is 00:01:09 with thousands of professionally designed templates to get you started. And in a single click, I can do things like remove backgrounds from any image, or even resize content for all our different social media channels with the Magic Re-Size tool, which is such a time saver. The team and I can easily share ideas and collaborate on projects because everything is in one place, no downloading and emailing required. So design like a pro with Canva Pro. Right now you can get a free 45 day extended trial when you go to Canva.me slash get sleepy. That's c-a-n-v-a dot-m-e slash get sleepy for a free 45 day extended

Starting point is 00:01:58 trial. Canva.me slash get sleepy. If you're enjoying the show and you'd like to hear more episodes, we'd absolutely love for you to try a get sleepy premium. It's our supporters subscription where you can enjoy well over 400 full length episodes, all completely and entirely, add free. Plus, every Thursday, we release a new bonus episode just for our premium supporters. Like tomorrow, where Nikki will be guiding a warm and comforting, meditative story, ideal for the colder seasons. Prioritizing Good Sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself, and Get Sleepy Premium

Starting point is 00:02:47 is the best way to experience this show. So to find out more and enjoy a 7 day free trial, go to GetSleepy.com slash support, or simply follow the link in the show notes. Thanks so much everyone. Now it's time to make sure we're nice and comfortable, settled and relaxed. Just enjoy the peace of this moment, taking a few deep breaths in and letting it flow gently back out. Allow of stress or tension. I know for well that sometimes the desire to fall asleep can actually be quite a burden. Our wires can get a bit crossed when it comes to sleep, as it's one of those rare things where the more we try to make it happen,

Starting point is 00:04:08 the less likely it will come. So tonight, don't make the direct act of falling asleep your focus. Instead, just lay comfortably a deep, restful and rejuvenating experience. Just let go of any pressure to fall asleep. Whenever the time is right it will come. So just enjoy the soothing calm of the here and now. Thankful for the chance to experience that. And as you do, you can just follow along to the sound of my voice, as we travel to Scotland's charming capital on an overcast day. This is where our story begins. You are walking out of your cozy flat in Edinburgh. It's set inside a timeless building on a street lined withaced houses. Yours boasts charming bay windows and a stone facade that stretches

Starting point is 00:06:31 up to a point, a characteristic that gives an extra special touch to the city's unique and recognizable skyline. Closing the door, you are greeted by a crisp autumn breeze as you step onto the cobbled street. The weather outside is chilly but comfortable. The sky is filled with unique puffy clouds that hang above you, sometimes revealing a pale blue sky or soft shades of grey. You are wearing warm boots with your favourite trousers, a dark green jumper and a light rain jacket that comes down to your thighs. Covering your head, a cozy wool hat provides warmth on this crisp

Starting point is 00:07:40 and windy day. You also have a tote bag with a book and umbrella, just in case it rains, you think. Your flat is next door to the Meadows, a grassy, tree-lined park just south of the old town. And you find yourself coming here often with a small picnic blanket in hand, spending an hour or maybe two, reading or drawing among other park visitors. What you truly love about this park however, is the distant view of Arthur's seat, an ancient volcano and the highest peak in Edinburgh. You admire its curved arches, peaking out high above the park's flat tree line. Sometimes you nestle yourself in the grass and draw this particular view.

Starting point is 00:08:58 Other times you simply prop your head up on your backpack and stare out at the distant hill, allowing your mind to wander and drift like the fallen leaves of autumn. Now your boots tap against the pavement as you make your way into the meadows. Today the park is draped in the season's captivating foliage. The grass is still a vivid green which provides a delightful contrast to the burnt orange and pale yellow leaves that are scattered across it. There are paved walking paths going both around and diagonally through the park. This time you are walking across one of the diagonal paths so you can explore Edinburgh's old town on

Starting point is 00:10:06 this perfect day. The pathway is lined with leafy trees on either side, standing tall and reaching for the cloudy skies up above. Your shoes press against fallen leaves, some brown and crunchy, others soft and in shades of yellow and orange. The day is surprisingly dry so far, but reminders of a previous rain still linger, dampening some of the leaves and covering the grass in a sparkly dew. As you walk, you notice a man playing fetch with his fluffy beige dog. He throws a stick and the dog enthusiastically leaps across the grass, lifting leaves up into

Starting point is 00:11:18 the air as he dives to catch the stick. It brings a little smile to your face. Soon, you are across the park, walking along a pedestrian-only path, sprawling with murals, or lively cafe and university students. From here you can see some parts of the 16th century University of Edinburgh. The university's historic sandstone buildings's perfectly with the mood of the city in autumn, you think. When you reach the end of the pedestrian pathway, you go over the zebra crossing and arrive at the other side of the road. You continue straight for just a minute, passing shops and restaurants until you reach a set of gates on your left-hand side. It is the entrance to Grae Fry's Kirkyard, a 16th century graveyard offering a museum

Starting point is 00:12:43 and walking tours. It's considered to be one of Edinburgh's most famous places. You take a few steps inside to admire this historic location. The paths are decorated with vibrant orange leaves that spill over onto the green grass. You can see old tombstones dating back more than 400 years and glimpse sandstone buildings that poke out beyond the walls of Graefriars. An autumn walk through Edinburgh is hardly complete without a stop here you decide. So, you pass through the black, raw-tying gates and feel the coolness of the shade around you. The autumn weather suits the stillness of this curious grey place.

Starting point is 00:14:01 Your gaze follows the path that leads up to the church around the graveyard and towards an exit on the other side. You actually prefer to take this path when walking home and often you do. It's much more peaceful than going past all the shops and restaurants that line the street on the other side of the thick stone walls. Perhaps you will ambel through it properly on your way home. Looking up you see lingering grey clouds above. A walk through grey friars on a rainy afternoon is just the kind of experience you'd like. In your mind you hope for a little drizzle later today. But for now, you carry on further into old town. The crisp air embraces your skin as you approach the cobbles of Edinburgh's most notable street, the Royal Mile.

Starting point is 00:15:30 This captivating street is full of life today. The sound of bagp and coffee finds your nose. You adore the royal mile for many reasons. For one, it leads up to Edinburgh Castle, perched high on a base of volcanic rock, which is stunning to see up close. However, it is also full of fairy tale-like stone buildings with sharply pointed turrets and the Gothic St. Charles Cathedral with its open spires and sculpture turrets. But what you really love about the royal mile is what you find on its side streets. Tiny pathways lead into quaint, often silent squares, creating pleasant oasis from the bustling life just on the other glimpse of the bronze statue of Scottish philosopher David

Starting point is 00:17:09 Hume. Apparently, local tradition suggests it is good luck to touch his big toe, which sticks out further than the rest of the statue. You watch a man in a guilt stop by and grace his hand across Hume's toe and you smile. Ahead of you, you see the way the cobbles appear to grow smaller and smaller as they go down the hill until they disappear into a cloudy gap between the buildings. You could follow that path where the buildings seem to grow older and more historic, until you reach the prestigious Palace of Holyrood House, with its powerful history and antique relics.

Starting point is 00:18:17 But today, you won't spend too much time on the royal mile. Instead, you would like to visit Edinburgh's more or terminal spots. There's no city you'd rather be in during this season, you'd And with Scotland's windy weather, the leaves won't stay attached to the branches for long. So you know just where you would like to go. You head right and then take a quick left onto a quaint alley called Woreston's Close. The path leads down a massive set of stairs that fall onto a charming curved street near the Waverley train station. If you had to choose a favourite set of stairs, these would be yours. Something about the way they fan out at the bottom, the yellow tinted lamps and middle

Starting point is 00:19:38 banister make you think of old fashioned academia. Think of Old Fashioned Academia. You could imagine university students from decades ago leaving the train station wearing pleated tartan skirts or long slacks as they ascend the stairs, books and pencil cases in hand, ready for a day's lesson. You grab on to the banister as you make your way down the lofty staircase. You watch as people walk up and down the cobbled street, wearing raincoats, dark boots, berries and warm scarves. Once you're at the bottom of the stairs, you are situated in front of one of your favourite coffee shops in the city. It has the best view of the steps of Waristan's close, and with its indoor

Starting point is 00:20:49 and outdoor seating in a snug and cozy setting, it is the perfect stop during an autumn walk in Edinburgh. And so, your feet click against the mismatched cobbles as you walk towards the door of the cafe. Inside, you hear the hissing of the espresso machine and the clink of ceramic. You look around. There is a window seat for two with home-leak cushions and a few seats nestled against the cool stone walls. Just in front of you is an espresso bar, serving artisan coffee, hot chocolates and teas. Then behind a glass counter you admire tasty treats from pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls to

Starting point is 00:22:01 thick buttery croissants. You smile and say hello to the barista. She greets you in return. Then you kindly request a hot spice tea and a warm pumpkin-spice cinnamon roll, something you have never tried here before. She tells you that they were just added to the menu today, and you feel a tingle of excitement that you get to try themas afternoon. You choose to take a seat outside. After all, you're enjoying the fresh autumn air on your face. Plus, your woolly layers and steady walking pace have been keeping you nice and warm. There are two large tables on either side of the door. You choose the one to the right with the best view of your favorite staircase. As you wait, you look up at the curved street that leads back to the royal mile.

Starting point is 00:23:34 You watch the buildings as they stretch up towards the sky, which is looking a bit greyer and gloomia than before. Your gaze comes back down to ground level. There are no trees on this street, so there is no foliage to admire. Nonetheless, the brownish shades of the street combined with the crisp air, carry the feeling of the season. But then you smile, considering that rain, clouds and cool weather are common year-round here.

Starting point is 00:24:27 A common year round here. The barista delivers your cinnamon roll and hot spice tea. The smell of them together captivates your senses. You close your eyes and take a deep breath in, bringing the mug up to your nose as you do so. The aroma of cloves, nutmeg, ginger and other spices fills your nostrils. Then you take a sip and the warmth of it travels down to your stomach. Delicious you think. Next, you try the pumpkin spice cinnamon roll. You push your knife and fork into it and the pastry softly falls apart, looking gooey and warm as white icing trickles down onto the plate. You lift the fork to your mouth, blowing on the cinnamon roll to cool it down, just in case. Then you place it onto your tongue and fill the warm flavours of pumpkin and cinnamon,

Starting point is 00:26:02 enveloping your taste buds. The texture of the pastry is firm, yet buttery, as it melts into your mouth. You can't quite believe just how good it is. You spend the next moments enjoying your treats, allowing each bite or sip to linger on your tongue, soaking up every bit of flavour. Once you've finished, you stand up and wave goodbye to the barista who has just come back outside to deliver two coffees to the other table next to you. Your body feels warm and cozy inside after your pleasant stop at this lovely cafe. Edinburgh's crisp air darts around your skin along the edges of your knitted jumper as you take a left down Prince's street gardens. That soon you pause looking out towards Edinburgh Wavelies Station with the park just across

Starting point is 00:27:36 the road. For a moment you watch the world go by all around you. You see pairs of people following the steps down into the station, while solo travellers and business people emerge holding coffee cups and newspapers. Then, you notice a young man carrying a delicate bouquet of sweet alisums. Soft shades of dainty pink, white and green, into twine beautifully together. He holds the stems out in front of him, careful to keep them just as nice as they were when he bought them. You watch him pull out his phone and smile as his eyes read over a text message. You imagine who the flowers are for, and whether it's a special anniversary, or just a second

Starting point is 00:28:55 or third date. You smile at the thought of it. Then he happily walks his up the cobbled street and you drift away towards the gardens. You go straight past the train station until you reach a set of stairs to your left. Your stomach fills with happy butterflies at the view in front of you. In this moment, Edinburgh fills like it has been pulled from a storybook set in the heart of autumn. The wide concrete stairs are dressed in pumpkin or inch leaves. They are scattered generously around but seem to congregate along the sides of the stairs. In the middle is a long black railing with matching street lamps in between. Here, the trees are barra than the ones in the meadows, so you admire the patterns of their branches as they loom over the stairs. Further out you can see thick, bright yellow, orange and a splendid view of the grand volcanic rock and edimrakasal

Starting point is 00:30:52 that consume much of the impressive grey skyline. The stunning panorama makes you feel very glad to have taken such a wonderful walk on a magical day like today. You glide your fingertips along the handrail, which points to a paved footpath that wraps around the park. From here, you're able to take in more of your surroundings. Bushy dark green shrubbery meets the bright green of Scottish grass covered with mounds of fallen leaves. The piles of leaves are just waiting for someone to jump into them, you think with a smile. Then you notice a tiny drop of rain fall from the sky and splatter on your jacket.

Starting point is 00:32:10 You are wearing a light raincoat today and the droplet glides off your sleeve plummeting onto the pavement. It's a good thing you remembered to bring your umbrella with you, but you decide a couple of drops here and there, don't warrant to bring it out just yet. This is Scotland after all, you are no stranger to rain here. So for now, you carry on towards the majestic Ross Fountain, with its cast iron display. The castle hill slowly reveals more of itself as you walk. Little droplets tap sporadically against your jacket. Yet you aren't bothered. You look around and notice one or two umbrellas carried by other people going through the park today. But most are proudly meandering with just their coats to protect them from the drizzle.

Starting point is 00:33:40 Besides, there is beauty in the rain. Besides, there is beauty in the rain. This is evident in the vibrant green grass that covers Edinburgh and the way the city looks majestic on a grey day. The rain suits this place, you decide. This thought sends a tingle of happiness through your body as your feet move rhythmically across the damp pavement. Soon the rain grows heavier and you reluctantly decide to use your umbrella. It's a clear bubble with a classic dome design. You love the style of it and the way you can still see the sky above. see the sky above. As you get closer to the fountain, you admire a small round puddle with a single leaf floating at its centre. You look down at the water and see yourself, your umbrella and the autumn trees reflected back at you.

Starting point is 00:35:11 For a moment you gaze at this calm reflection before carrying on. After a short while, you reach the fountain. You cherish this spot because it is so unbelievably gorgeous. The fountain is turquoise and gold and made of cast iron. At the base of the fountain, there are charming mermaids, walrus and lion heads and even cherubs. Then, as the eye travels designed to represent science, arts, poetry and industry. But what makes this spot all the more special is how spectacular it looks with Edinburgh Castle perched so proudly at the top of the volcanic rock. It makes you appreciate this city even more deeply. There truly is no place like Edinburgh, you think.

Starting point is 00:36:45 As the rain continues to drizzle, drumming against your umbrella, you decide to retreat to a pump. You follow the footpath towards a park exit and make your way to one of the coziest pups in Edinburgh. Once inside, you're greeted by the warmth of a fireplace and the sound of folk musicians seated in a circle. You hear the familiar tones of flutes and fiddles, and admire the backdrop of stained glass windows and quaint yellow lights. The welcoming environment lures you deeper into the pub. You order something warm to drink. Nestle yourself into a tartan-covered booth near the fire and relax to the sound of the music. Perhaps you will pull your book out of your tote bag and read as you

Starting point is 00:38:12 enjoy the captivating ambience and perfect retreat from the crisp autumn air and drizzly rain outside. But for now you sit back, listen and let it all sink in. It has been a wonderful day for an autumn walk in Edinburgh. Of this, you are sure. ... I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. I'm going to do a little bit of the same thing. you ... ... ... you you ... ... ... ... you ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... you you you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Dreamy Autumn Walk in Edinburgh

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