What are you eating???

I realize that I've been mostly posting food photos on Facebook and everything else here. So, I need to get some of those photos over here since the food has been fantastic.

Here are some of my meals from the past few days:

My first meal here in Edinburgh was lunch at The Witchery. I thought it might be touristy, but it a very nice restaurant in a 16th century building.  I decided that this would be the perfect place to try haggis, and I wasn't disappointed at all.  The service was excellent, but relaxed, and everything was fresh. Even the Tart Tatin was made fresh with a puff pastry crust.

Beets 3 ways.

Tart Tatin with Clotted Cream

Haggis, neeps and tatties.

Nero D'avola. Always a good choice.

That same night I decided to have dinner at a place near the flat since I was tired from traveling and wandering around London the day before.
I sent to La Piazza, planning on having pizza, but once I saw the specials, my plans changed.

Tomato, mozzarella, onion and argula salad

Scallop and prawn ravioli with mussels and tomatoes.

Tiramisu

Posh dog (with grilled onions) and chunky chips

 

The next day I grabbed lunch at a pub across from the Real Mary King's Close. I got an ale that's made right here in Edinburgh to go with my Posh Dog and chips.


After that tour, I did some shopping, visited the Museum of Childhood, then grabbed an afternoon snack in the Story-telling Center before visiting John Knox House.

Cappuccino and orange/almond cake

 

My final meal of the day was Fish & Chips from a real chippy shop after I was told the fish & chips I got the day before weren't "proper". He was right, these were MUCH better.  Gorgie Fish Bar

Fish supper from a proper chippy

 

Cullen Skink--so much better than it sounds

I started today with yogurt and toast with coffee in the apartment, then headed to Gladstone Land on Royal Mile. After that tour, I headed to National Scottish Museum and then stopped for lunch at a place I found when wandering around yesterday. Howies ended up being an excellent choice.

The sign in the ladies' loo.

Elderflower Gin Fizz

Salmon with Spinach, Potatoes, Turnips and Crispy Capers

Sticky Toffee Pudding

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