I have arrived!

This is what happened when I brought a
bag of chocolates and 'thank you' card
for the crew of our flight.

In Scotland. Edinburgh, to be precise. Until I got to this flat around 2:30 pm local time, I'd been homeless since I left Austin Thursday evening. I now have some idea how backpackers feel when they travel. It wasn't horrible since Europe had good services for travelers, but a little tiring since I couldn't get a nap.

I arrived in London Friday morning around 9:30 and took the Heathrow Express from the airport, then the Tube to Euston station to drop off my bag at left luggage. From there, I headed to Victoria to say hello to a couple of co-workers, drop off some Texas candy (so I didn't have to carry it to Scotland, Paris and back to London)

One of my happy places, courtyard of V&A

I managed to walk just over 8 miles, visit the Victoria & Albert Museum (Vicki & Al's to my friends David and Rachel) and the British Museum (starting in the wrong direct from the Russell Square tube station accounts for about 2-1/2 of those miles)

Beautiful locks(V&A)

Needle Lace (V&A)

Mosaic at the British Museum (Etruscan?)

As soon as I walked in to the British Museum, I joined a free talk/guided tour of the main hall and another (same guide) of mummies.

Gabby would approve

This morning I arrived in Edinburgh by train and walked around before the place got filled with tourists. I managed to visit Edinbugh Castle, the Tartan Weaving Mill (but it was Saturday, so I'll go back during the week to see the machines going) and lunch at the Witchery before collecting my bag and heading to the flat at Haymarket.
It turns out I like Haggis and clotted cream (not together, of course). Lesson reinforced: always try local specialities.

Princes Street Gardens

Scottish flag in the War Museum at Edinburgh Castle

Tartan Weaving Mill

Beets 3 ways, all fantastic

You probably know the name,
but this is WATER.

Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (Turnips & Potatoes)

Tart Tatin with Clotted Cream

My plan tomorrow is to visit a few museums and some knit shops, maybe find a cashmere sweater (another speciality of Scotland) and fish & chips.

Juliette

So many treats...

Just a few minutes on Time Out Edinburgh, and I've added quite a few things to my list. If you've followed my travels before, you'll know how much I love the smaller, quirky museums and I'm fascinated with the details of daily life from past eras. The ones below will deliver, I hope:

John Knox House

The Writers' Museum

The People's Story

Georgian House

Gladstones Land

I haven't even gotten started on places to eat...

Juliette

In a fortnight...

..., two weeks, 14 days, whatever you call it, I'll be headed to London. I just paid the balance on the second apartment, the last I'll pay when I arrive. Tomorow I plan to pick up some pounds and euros, and I've already got my suitcase out so I can toss in things as I think of them. (Not the most organized method, but I do also have a packing list, and I've never forgotten to pack anything important.)

Here, again, are the apartments where I'll be staying on this trip:


In Edinburgh, Scotland, UK:

Georgian Aparment, Edinburgh

In Paris, France:

Quai aux Fleurs, Paris

In London:

Marylebone, London

My first night of sleep (I HOPE I sleep) will be on a sleeper train from London to Edinburgh.
I haven't made any definite plans for what I'll do while I'm in Edinburgh, but these are some of the things I'm considering:

Edinburgh Castle
The Real Mary King's Close
Surgeons' Hall Museums
National Museum of Scotland
Tartan Weaving Mill

There are many more places/things I'm interested in, but these are at the top along with trying the local fare (yes, I do intend to try haggis--when in Rome and all) and wandering around neighborhoods.

Juliette

What will I do?

This question is always on my mind before I head off on a trip, but this one has been so different from past trips because it will be my first time traveling since becoming single again.

When I first starting planning, I was 'seeing' someone. I thought it was(or might be) a relationship, but apparently he didn't (there's a novel in there, I know it), so shortly after the New Year, I was single in every sense of the word for the first time since my 20's.

That change in status changed how I viewed this trip, since dating while abroad became a possiblity. A boyfriend from a VERY long time ago suggested I focus my dating efforts in France because (his words) "The English and Scottish are not lovers." So my packing list needed to include makeup(boy, do I need it) and date clothes.

Since then I've become "attached" again, and this time the guy is in agreement. (with half a century behind me, you'd think I'd have a little wisdom about these things, but it seems I don't). My packing list has shrunk again and I've seriously considering carry-on only baggage for this trip.

In any case, the main things I plan to do are always the same: visit museums and historic sites, do some fabric/yarn shopping, explore new places and meet up with friends.

Two weeks from tomorrow I head out, so there will be photos and stories soon.

Juliette

The Day is Nigh...

One month from tomorrow I head East for my next EU adventure.

My first stay will be in Edinburgh, Scotland.

A new friend has briefed me on what to eat, how to order it, and what is worth seeing.
Besides visiting the obvious places like Edinburgh Castle and National Gallery, I will check out some knit shops (and hopefully find a knit night at one), visit the Tartan Weaving Mill (hoping it isn't too kitschy) and take one or two day trips:
Stirling Castle, especially to see the Tapestries
I'll probably have to buy a nice sweater there, too. Just doesn't seem right to go to Scotland and not buy one, right?

More to come. I've got sewing to do now!

Juliette

Things to look forward to!

2017 has not been off to a good start. I won't go into deals, but my horoscope said I was to have the most amazing love life for 13 months starting in September of last year. It said nothing about heartbreak in January. Thank goodness those things are for entertainment purposes only.

The good thing is I have a trip to look forward to, and there couldn't be a better time for me to have a change of scenery for a few weeks. This could get very interesting since it will be my first time traveling as a single woman.

I just booked a ticket to see Romeo & Juliet at the Globe in London with some good friends from the states.

More to come, soon.

Juliette

Let the Planning Begin

I know more than a couple of my friends were disappointed that I didn't do a Europe trip last year, but there was just too much going on (and turned out to be far more than I expected when I made the decision not to travel).
Originally it was because Wayne and I were selling the property we owned in the Hill Country, and the ASDP conference was to be in Vancouver, BC. It turned out that 2016 would also be the year we ended a 19 year marriage and I would move to my own place for the first time in 22 years.

I had planned all along to visit Europe this year, even before all the major changes.
This may be my last big trip for awhile, though. I'm getting up there in years and should really save something for retirement...

So here are my plans for this trip:

Depart AUS (Austin, TX) April 6th
Arrive LHR (London, UK) April 7th (boy do I love direct flights!)

Night train to Edinburgh April 7th (This way I cover a night's stay and transport in one go)
I'll stay here for 6 nights:  Period Georgian Flat In Central Edinburgh

From Edinburgh, I'll fly to Paris. I'll work from the Homelidays office for the week.
I'll be staying on one of the two islands in the middle of the Seine in this apartment:
Crazy View on Ile de la Cite

Next, I'll take the EuroStar (the one that goes through the Chunnel) back to London.
I'll work a couple of days and spend a couple of days looking at historical costumes with the lovely Rachel Kurland and hang out with her and her charming husband, David McWilliams.
I'll stay in this apartment in London:
Great Location - Marylebone Apartment

I'll head back to Austin on the 28th just in time to attend Phantom of the Opera on the 29th.

For people who don't know me, or know about my fondness for staying in vacation rentals:

I've been renting apartments since 2003 when my ex and I stayed in the center of Florence, and in 2004 in the Marais in Paris. That sold me on vacation rentals. Little did I know that I would end up in Austin, working at the best Vacation Rental company in the world, HomeAway.

Why do I like them better than hotels?
The list is pretty long, but here's a few reasons:

1. Breakfast: It is so expensive to eat breakfast out when traveling, and I don't want to have to get dressed before I have my first cup of coffee. I tend to eat a pretty light breakfast, and am pretty particular about what I eat. Yogurt(even organic),  fruit and granola bar shouldn't cost $15, but in a restaurant, it usually does. Same goes for a snack and glass of wine. We're not taking a few euros/pounds--the difference can buy a whole 'nother bottle of wine. ;)
2. Live like a local: I like to get a sense of what it's like to live in the places I visit, and that's hard to do in a hotel. I also find it is easier to maintain my own routine if I'm in a place more like a home. 
3. Laundry. $50 bucks!!! that's what most airlines now charge for a second bag (heck, I'm paying $25 to check my one bag from Scotland to Paris). A washing machine in each apartment means I can bring fewer clothes and carry a smaller bag. This is really important when you like to travel by train (I LOVE train travel). What do I do with what I buy on the trip? I usually ship back dirty clothes and carry my treasures back with me on the plane. It costs about the same as an additional bag, but you don't have to schlep it to the airport. It arrives to your home after you get back. Like Christmas, except your own dirty clothes. Exciting, right!?

More soon as I work out details about what I'll do while I'm there...

Happy 2017,

Juliette