Flame Lifts Scotland's Bid For Freedom - In 27 Pix

My beautiful lil' bitch, Flame, had her first birthday on Saturday, the 5th of September. We went to Hollyrood Park and hooked up with Aunty Shanti. The girls played for a while and we then trundled on. To our great astonishment we found approx. 1000 folk gathered in front of the Scottish parliament waving banners and slogans and generally being cheery. It took me a while to put two and two together but it finally dawned that of course, they were out to celebrate Flame's First Birthday - How kewl! I must say they had gone to great lengths with the preparations and kept it kinda cryptic with their b'day messages - the speakers who came on stage to sing her praises seemed to talk in tongues and the banner slogans were similarly encoded. One speaker, I gathered, was talking about his wish for Flame's good health - however, this sentiment was couched in some whacky-sounding lingo about vaccines, flu, p(l)andemics and suchlike. Another speaker talked at length about the 'corrupt system', from which I swiftly deduced that they were calling for Flame to take it upon herself to sort things out. Whoa, steady on, she's still quite _little!

Everyone smiled, greeted and wished Flame as we walked around this colourful event. A helicopter buzzed noisily overhead every half hour or so, its engine playing the tune of 'Happy Birthday' - awww, the police-state is so sweet :). I took some pix and Flame decided she didn't need a shit, which was great!

Here therefore, in photos, is a story of sorts. I may be able to provide some rough background commentary, but I'll leave it up to your good intelligence to decode the numerous birthday wishes made out for Flame on the many banners being waved about by the adoring crowd.

Flame has a bounce and pounce as she does...mediaeval Edinburgh in the background

Shanti and the DJ turn up; the girls have a play and a swim before we set off again

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we are greeted by a strange-looking individual with a broad smile who informs us that everyone has been waiting impatiently for Flame's arrival - "Just look at them all!"
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"We Love You Flame", sez a banner as eager photographers scramble to take pix of the b'day girl
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the Scots sure know how to throw a party!
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even the BBC, that bastion of unbiased reporting, had sent representatives, one of whom was wearing a mask as a mark of deference to Flame - imagine!
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the speakers speak of their hopes and dreams for Flame; the crowd is enthralled
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folk offer to lay down their lives for Flame and the red-haired lady, Ruth, has some nice things to say
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these folk asQ Flame to wag her tail and bless their movement
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"Show the world how to tell Truth from Lies O'noble Flame"
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"Please give us a speech Flame", implore the organisers with trembling lips...more deferential press folk wait patiently in the wings, hoping for an exclusive
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Shanti is wise and not at all jealous of the attention given elsewhere. Flame shrugs it all off, declining offers of interviews in favour of chasing squirrels and spending time with her human sidekick, @barge
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Note: Upon reflection I did wonder WHO would have the resources to organise such an event and found an article on Offguardian which might provide some insight!

Camera	Nikon D200
Lens	Nikon AF-S 40mm f2.8 MG
Location	Edinburgh, Scotland
Date	5 Sep 2020

All images @barge | Thanks for visiting 🙏

Flame Lifts Scotland's Bid For Freedom - In 27 Pix

Radical You and Radical Me!