Another couple of days in Edinburgh

"inside" the ruins of Holyrood Abbey

I've had two full days now, and am loving this city. The people are great, I love the accent (reminds me of my grandpa George who was born in Stow), and the city is teaming with history.
I bought a week's transport pass near the train station on a whim, and am so glad I did. The system is extensive and nice. There seems to be a bus or tram that goes within a few blocks of everywhere in the city (or least the places I want to go). The mobile app is fantastic, too, giving walking distances and 

Outside of the ruins of Holyrood Abbey

Fountain in the forecourt of Holyrood Palace.
You can see part of the palace in the background.

My first stop yesterday was Holyrood Palace, which is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth in Scotland. Because it is a royal residence, I couldn't take any photos inside.

A cemetery with a view of the palace and Arthur's seat.

Next I headed back to the center of the city to visit the Scottish National Gallery. I was pleasantly surprised to see Rembrants, Van Dycks, Degas and mainly others.

This boy's face is so alive and expressive...

A scene of a baliff listing a family's belongings.

The portrait of a beloved dog.

The story behind the portrait on the left.

A woman sewing.

Later I headed Southwest to a yarn shop for some needles and some hand-dyed sock yarn (which I didn't need, but will definitely use).

A church not far from the yarn shop

Row houses near the yarn shop.

Today I got a later start, and headed to the Royal Mile to visit some of the top sites on my list. I stopped in St. Giles Cathedral, then headed up towards the castle.
Gladstone's Land was booked for the day, so I booked for tomorrow morning. I was able to get in to the Real Mary King's Close right after lunch.

I didn't realize before planning this trip that Edinburgh was the hometown of Robert Louis Stevenson. Like so many other childrens, his "A Child's Garden of Verses" was my introduction to poetry. I memorized "Bed in Summer" in second grade.

St. Giles Cathedral "The Heart of Lothian"

Inside St. Giles

I love the plaque in the middle...

Beautiful encaustic floor tiles in a side chapel

The ceiling of the Thistle Chapel

Thistle Chapel

From there, I went to the Museum of Childhood, then to John Knox house. I tried to go the Writers' Museum, but they were closed today.

A toy sewing kit

Toy Sewing machines

A quilt inspired by a poem by
Robert Louis Stevenson.

Outside the Writers' Museum

View of Royal Mile from John Knox house

One of the fireplaces in John Knox house.

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