Birdsong's Trip to the UK

Friday, Oct. 7 - Train to Edinburgh, Scotland

Took the train to Edinburgh, the Flying Scotsman. It cruised at 200 mph. It was a very nice train with a dining car where we had lunch. George had never experienced such a nice train.

Walking back through the train to our car after lunch, we stopped for Larry to use the loo. It was a handicapped one with an automatic curving door. Larry ducked in, and I was going to go in with him to show him where things were (since he couldn't see anything in there), when the automatic door closed.

After a few minutes, the door opened - Larry had hit a wrong button looking for the toilet paper. The people seated in the car were facing the restroom, and with the door open everyone could see Larry seated on the can. I started laughing while trying to help Larry.

He was still punching buttons, and hit the red one, setting off alarms and the booming, repeating recording, "Someone needs assistance in the handicapped." Amid my hysterical laughter, I told Larry to quit hitting buttons, directed his hand to the TP and told him to yell when he wanted out and I would open the door.

The door closed, and I turned around, still laughing, to see the horrified faces of the good people in the car. I'm sure they were thinking the poor blind bloke had problems enough without an unsympathetic wife who was laughing at the whole thing.

The recording and alarm and flashing lights continued to blare for some time before a sympathetic attendant came to turn it off. George later said they were back at our seats talking with another traveler when the alarm went off. George calmly said, "That must be my brother-in-law."

Peggy had made our hotel and B&B reservations at home via the Internet, and did a great job. When we arrived in Edinburgh we checked into the Ellesmere House, our Bed & Breakfast (B&B) at 11 Glengyle Terrace in the Toll Cross district. So called, because in early years there was a toll gate on the road into town.

The B&B overlooked a large grassy field called The Meadows that we learned was the oldest golf course in the world. Now it is only used for putting, and more for people walking their dogs.

The B&B's friendly owners, Celia & Tommy, had charming Scottish accents. Larry got Tommy's voice recorded on his iPod.

George went to get their traveler's checks to pay for the room-GONE! George left their traveler's checks and cruise documents in a side pocket of his suitcase and we figured someone had stolen them on the train.

After going to the American Express office and calling their travel agent, everything was reissued. We went one block to a charming pub and diner, The Auld Toll (built 1710), for drinks, and later to dinner at the new, modern Henrick's. Great food! And people told us to expect boring food in the UK.

Saturday, Oct. 8 - Edinburgh Castle

Had a great B&B breakfast of porridge, Scottish bacon, which is like our ham, sausage, eggs and juice.

We took an all day city tour to see what to see. You could get on and off where you wanted. What a beautiful old city!

We went first to Edinburgh castle, the highest spot in the city, build on a bluff that was actually the plug of an extinct volcano. It was a clear day, but cold and windy.

The site was first occupied in the Iron Age, and those residents saw the Romans march by when they invaded in the first century.

The tiny St. Margaret's chapel there is the oldest building in the city, built by her son, later King David. She died after hearing that her husband , Malcolm, was killed in battle.

In 1566, Mary Queen of Scots gave birth there to James VI of Scotland, who later succeeded Elizabeth I to the English throne as James I.

We walked a ways down the Royal Mile and ate at a Spanish restaurant, downstairs in a narrow lane. Had some Spanish red wine and each split lamb stew. Yummy!

Stopped in a gift store and bought Christmas ornaments for Long's and Woodruff's, a kilt-clad Scotsman.

We walked the rest of the Royal Mile (the road down the middle of Old Town, the old walled city) to Hollyrood (meaning Holy Relic - supposedly a piece of the cross was there.)

We used recorders/earphones for the first time. They are very effective. To use them, you enter numbers from signs into the handheld unit and the information is spoken to you. The Queen still visits here each summer and entertains.

Edinburg Castle