A few more things

but my first task of the day was to ship off the gorgeous Harris Tweed herringbone fabric, cotton fabric, and some sweets.

I thought this sign was, well, a SIGN. 

The kitchen in Georgian House

The servants' room

I came back to the flat, had some breakfast then walked to the Georgian House nearby.

The stairwell

I ended up, by pure chance, to visit the various house museums in the correct chronological order: Real Mary King's Close, John Knox House, Gladstone Land, Georgian House. It not only showed the history of the city and how it evolved, but also how the lives of the people who lived here changed over the centuries.

I bought a few things at the gift shop at Georgian House, so walked back to the flat to drop them off.

The skylight over the stairwell.

unidentified lady

One of the mysteries I encountered was answered by a docent in this museum. While at the National Gallery, I notice one or two portraits of ladies in dress similar to Marie Antoinette, but with natural hair. What I learn at Georgian House is that both men and woman stopped wearing wigs around that time because of the high tax on wig powder.

Next I headed towards the bottom end of the Royal Mile (Canongate).
Have mentioned how nice the transport pass is? It's even valid for the express bus to the airport (which I'll be taking VERY early Friday morning)

Spinning wheel in the Georgian 

Stairs in the Peoples' Museum

I visited the People's Museum which covered the fight for better working and living conditions, the formation of labor unions, labor laws, public baths, wash houses and housing.

I had hoped to visit the Edinburgh Museum next, but it was closed. Depending on the weather, I may try to visit, but my other choices are in different directions.

Candy, obviously very important to the people of Edinburgh

The Tollbooth

Atrium of National Portrait Gallery

My next and last stop of the day was the National Portrait Gallery.
One of the things I love looking at in a portrait gallery is the say different artists depict texture, especially in cloth. Lace, gilt, satin, velvet. It's amazing how some artists can be so accurate that you are convince you would feel the fabric if you touched the painting.





















I decided that I need to go a little lighter on food today, so lunch was a sandwich and salad in the Museum Cafe, and pizza from a place close to the flat that have great reviews online (and it was very good).

Pepperoni, mushroom and olives from "Dough Pizzaria"

More museums, boring...

...maybe to some people, but not me.

My first stop was Gladstone's Land, a house that spans 3 centuries starting in the 1500s.

Our guide in the 1700s room

The main room of Gladstone Land

Bedroom Ceiling

Kitchen

From there I headed toward the National Scottish Museum, passing the Elephant House, the cafe where JK Rowling wrote the first of the Harry Potter books.

The main atrium

Here are a few photos of what I saw in the National Scottish Museum:

Grooming set

Beautiful Lace

Jacket by Elsa Schiapparelli

Fortuny pleating

There is one gallery for fashion with a nice mix of historical and modern clothing. There are pieces from Worth, Schiapparelli, and Fortuny, among others.











After lunch, I head back towards the Museum and stopped to pay homage to Greyfriars' Bobby, then to the Surgeons Hall Museum. No photos were allowed, and I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who is squeamish. But if you like medical history and specimens, I highly recommend it.





From there, I headed further down to Edinburgh Fabrics. What a treat! A small shop, but a great selection, especially of Harris Tweed. They even have some color/weaves that are exclusive to them. I bought a 3 meter piece of blue/black herringbone.

I think I'll eat in tonight--a salad, some bread and cheese. I need to eat light once in awhile...

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.