We had a lie-in this morning... Until we had to be at breakfast at 7:30am, and ready on the bus by 8:30am. It was another lovely cold and hot food buffet and the service was excellent.
We had a short bus tour to hear some of the stories and see some of the highlights around the city of Edinburgh, including driving past the Palace of Holyroodhouse (wished I could have gone in there, but there was no time); Mary Queen of Scots' bath house (where she bathed in wine); the Scottish Parliament Building; a statue of Greyfriars Bobby (the skye terrier that guarded his master's grave for 14 years, between 1858 and 1872); the coffee shop where JK Rowling wrote much of her first Harry Potter book; where the First Minister lives (a bit like 10 Downing St); numerous statues and churches, Georgian buildings, and pubs frequented by other famous authors). It was hard to get photos from the bus moving along, and take it all in.
Then we drove up to the top of the Royal Mile, and the entrance to Edinburgh Castle. We were able to bypass the queues forming, and go straight in. It was crowded enough then, but much worse by the time we came out. It reminded me of what it was like when we visited the Acropolis! We had our group photo taken in the area all set up for the Military Tattoo, then our local guide took us in as far as he was allowed and pointed out key buildings.
We then wandered at our leisure for a couple of hours, visiting the Crown Square, and then into the Royal Palace to see the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. We saw where Mary Queen of Scots had lived, and given birth to the future James VI. We saw the mighty Mons Megs canon, forged in 1449 and much used as the largest canon in Britain. We visited the tiny St Margaret's Chapel, built in 1130 by King David. The views over the Firth of Forth from the Castle were excellent. There was even a Dog Cemetery for regimental mascots. We weren't allowed to take photos of the beautiful stained glass windows in the Scottish National War Memorial. There was so much to see, but that was as much as we managed with the time we had. On the way out I took a photo of what I think was once the barracks at the castle where mum says her father was born (around 1890-92, from memory). He became a Cameron Highlander and was posted to India. He emigrated to NZ after WWI, meeting my grandmother on the ship they came out in.
Back at the hotel we sorted laundry and relaxed, and I flaked out. We weren't doing the optional tour group dinner, and had arranged instead to meet Elaine and Alan at 6pm. They live here in Edinburgh. Elaine's grandmother was my grandmother's sister (Grandma Dawson/mum's mother). They have visited NZ a couple of times, staying with mum and dad. We headed out with them for a drink in a bar directly across the road from our hotel, and then to a restaurant also just across the road. We had a fabulous meal and enjoyed lively conversation, including family reminiscing and updates, talk about travel, and Brexit! David even had a whiskey-tasting session, with their guidance! We will definitely be keeping in touch!
We had a short bus tour to hear some of the stories and see some of the highlights around the city of Edinburgh, including driving past the Palace of Holyroodhouse (wished I could have gone in there, but there was no time); Mary Queen of Scots' bath house (where she bathed in wine); the Scottish Parliament Building; a statue of Greyfriars Bobby (the skye terrier that guarded his master's grave for 14 years, between 1858 and 1872); the coffee shop where JK Rowling wrote much of her first Harry Potter book; where the First Minister lives (a bit like 10 Downing St); numerous statues and churches, Georgian buildings, and pubs frequented by other famous authors). It was hard to get photos from the bus moving along, and take it all in.
Then we drove up to the top of the Royal Mile, and the entrance to Edinburgh Castle. We were able to bypass the queues forming, and go straight in. It was crowded enough then, but much worse by the time we came out. It reminded me of what it was like when we visited the Acropolis! We had our group photo taken in the area all set up for the Military Tattoo, then our local guide took us in as far as he was allowed and pointed out key buildings.
We then wandered at our leisure for a couple of hours, visiting the Crown Square, and then into the Royal Palace to see the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. We saw where Mary Queen of Scots had lived, and given birth to the future James VI. We saw the mighty Mons Megs canon, forged in 1449 and much used as the largest canon in Britain. We visited the tiny St Margaret's Chapel, built in 1130 by King David. The views over the Firth of Forth from the Castle were excellent. There was even a Dog Cemetery for regimental mascots. We weren't allowed to take photos of the beautiful stained glass windows in the Scottish National War Memorial. There was so much to see, but that was as much as we managed with the time we had. On the way out I took a photo of what I think was once the barracks at the castle where mum says her father was born (around 1890-92, from memory). He became a Cameron Highlander and was posted to India. He emigrated to NZ after WWI, meeting my grandmother on the ship they came out in.
Next stop was a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia - much more interesting than you would imagine. Again, we bypassed the queues, picked up what turned out to be an excellent audio guide, and began a very interesting two and a half hour tour.
I had heard that the Royal Tea Rooms on the Yacht were great for GF, and had been told it could get very busy. We were lucky to get an excellent table by the window, and I enjoyed Cream of Cullen Skink soup (haddock, leek and potato) with a lovely, light GF roll - absolutely delicious! David had the Shetland oak smoked salmon, lemon and cracked black pepper cream cheese sandwiches, and we shared a GF fruit scone with jam and clotted cream. A small 'Retro' milkshake each was also enjoyed.
The tour was very well-laid out, and highlights for me included the Sun Deck, the Queen's bedroom, her office, the Duke's bedroom, the State Dining Room, the State Drawing Room, a Honeymoon Suite (used by Charles and Diana, but also a guest room for dignitaries), the various sleeping quarters for different levels of officers and seamen, and their recreation areas, the on-board hospital and theatre, and the immaculate engine room. The stories of life on board, and the protocols, were very interesting. All of this is attached to a large shopping mall, but we had no time to take this in - I wasn't interested in shopping, anyway.
I had heard that the Royal Tea Rooms on the Yacht were great for GF, and had been told it could get very busy. We were lucky to get an excellent table by the window, and I enjoyed Cream of Cullen Skink soup (haddock, leek and potato) with a lovely, light GF roll - absolutely delicious! David had the Shetland oak smoked salmon, lemon and cracked black pepper cream cheese sandwiches, and we shared a GF fruit scone with jam and clotted cream. A small 'Retro' milkshake each was also enjoyed.
The tour was very well-laid out, and highlights for me included the Sun Deck, the Queen's bedroom, her office, the Duke's bedroom, the State Dining Room, the State Drawing Room, a Honeymoon Suite (used by Charles and Diana, but also a guest room for dignitaries), the various sleeping quarters for different levels of officers and seamen, and their recreation areas, the on-board hospital and theatre, and the immaculate engine room. The stories of life on board, and the protocols, were very interesting. All of this is attached to a large shopping mall, but we had no time to take this in - I wasn't interested in shopping, anyway.
Back at the hotel we sorted laundry and relaxed, and I flaked out. We weren't doing the optional tour group dinner, and had arranged instead to meet Elaine and Alan at 6pm. They live here in Edinburgh. Elaine's grandmother was my grandmother's sister (Grandma Dawson/mum's mother). They have visited NZ a couple of times, staying with mum and dad. We headed out with them for a drink in a bar directly across the road from our hotel, and then to a restaurant also just across the road. We had a fabulous meal and enjoyed lively conversation, including family reminiscing and updates, talk about travel, and Brexit! David even had a whiskey-tasting session, with their guidance! We will definitely be keeping in touch!
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