Edinburgh is quite amazing. There is an old part and a new part. We spent most of our time in the old part. The Hop on, Hop off bus worked well for us. We were able to see many parts of the old city that we wanted to see. We spent a number of hours in the Edinburgh castle that towers over the city. The view up there was amazing. It really is a beautiful port city. Unfortunately, that means that cruise ships come into port and many end up at the Edinburgh Castle as their expedition. But, the biggest deal here is the fact that the month of August is Festival...they claim it to be the biggest festival in the world when running. Boy, I believe it. By noon, all the streets around the castle were packed with people. Talking to the locals, which I do often to ask questions like where to eat and stuff, they said we've picked the worst time to be here if you do not like big crowds. We were pretty stunned to see so many people on a Thursday in this area. And I guess the evenings get even worse with lots of concerts and things going on. Nonetheless, we rubbed shoulders and behinds with many people as we navigated many of the streets. Also, the bus narrators were quite funny in telling stories of things that had gone on in these areas. The Scots are pretty funny. But they are also very well educated and they are devoted to their country and country men.
We started our bus tour at 9 AM and I think we headed back to our flat at about 5 PM. We were beat with very sore feet. After getting off the bus, I stopped a young girl and asked if there were any restaurants around. She told me no...not really. She then said...but there are 'take aways'. I guess that is their version of a fast food type joint. But not really, it just means that they don't have many places for you to sit. Anyway, she described how to get to a Fish and Chip joint. So after landing at our flat, we just dropped our stuff and got into the car and drove down the road to Jarvits...the Fish and Chip place. It was quite good with large portions of Fish and large portions of Chips. We should have shared chips and each had on piece of fish. But no, we got full orders. I think we threw half the chips away...just too much.
Well, I have been creating plans A & B with Denise. Tomorrow is decision day as to where we might try to come home from. Edinburgh has 3 flights to the US each day (to EWR, ORD and IAD). Glasgow (1.5 hours a way) has 1 flight (to EWR). Manchester (3.5 hours a way) has 1 flight and lastly Heathrow (6.5 hours away) has a ton of flights each day. Looking at seat availability, there is no obvious choice today. But, we both kind of think we will try to get out via Glasgow. But we'll see. It has 10 open seats, 7 are Business Class which Denise would like to get. No standby's in line yet and no upgrades thus far. So it looks fairly good. But you never know. Check back tomorrow to see where we end up for the night and which airport we will pursue!
Pictures...
Don't ask...I can't recall what this was named. But it was right by where we purchased the On\Off bus tickets....lots of gothic looking stuff in this city.
On the On\Off bus...full of energy...ready to go!
This is called the Military Tatoo. It is a grandstand where during this festival they have big military bands come and perform. Obviously, at other times, they have other concerts and things here. But you pass through this to get to the gate of the Edinburgh Castle.
Some stairs leading up to the upper portion of the Castle. The grounds of this Castle is quite large with many, many buildings dedicated to those who have served in the military in Scotland.
Denise took this picture and I just couldn't have it...so I made here take it over (see next photo).
Sometimes you just have to minister to those who struggle.... :-)
An inner hall in one of the buildings. Mary, Queen of Scots, occupied this place. As a matter of fact, we got to see the Crown Jewels used in those days. They say they are priceless.
Just a guy wanting his picture taken with someone....
Views from the castle....
Another lonely guy wanting attention...so he made some 'noise' with those darn pipes he blew into. Actually, you heard bag pipes being played in many locations...as you might imagine. I always wonder if these guys have knickers under those kilts. It was a windy day and that could be uncomfortable!
Their really small version of the 'eye of London'.
There is quite the story behind this statue. Too long to write here. But...the story did prompt the phrases, "Georgy, Porgy, pudding and pie..kissed the girls and made them cry....' And so on....
This is the small home that the Queen of England uses when she comes for 2 weeks each year mandatorily. I think she comes in the last week of June, first week of July.
This is the outside of their Parliament. We went inside and walked around. The patterns over the windows were jokingly referred to has hair dryers, radar guns, etc.. One guy from the US said they look like Elvis' sideburns! It doesn't look like a Parliament building though...
Still hanging in there...
Our bus...
Crowded streets everywhere....
Dolly the first cloned sheep...done right here in Edinburgh. Actually there were two of them.
Buddy the dog...the most famous dog in Scotland. Long tale about Buddy. But people come here to rub his nose and leave tons of stuff on his gravesite just across the street. People are so odd...aren't they!?!?
A great view looking over a park back at the old part of the city.
Wilting....
We went up one street as the guide said it inspired J.K. Rowlings to describe Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. She is Scottish, apparently, and many stories were told about rooms and things where she spent time to right. But the picture below shows about 1/10th of a crowd, both above (as seen in the picture) and below by us that were signing a large variety of songs from Queen, Mama Mia and so on. It was pretty fun to watch. It was a HUGE crowd singing.
Too much fish and way too much chips!!!
Another day completed....
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