The rough landing was definitely worth it!  As most of you probably know Edinburgh is a fabulous historical city with a population of close to half a million people. It is the capital of Scotland and home to the Scottish parliament and walking the streets of Edinburgh is definitely like walking back in time. What made our trip here extra special was because we also were walking back in time and meeting our friends, Alison and Steve, from England. Jim and I have known Alison from the mid 1970s when we all lived in Alberta and met Steve in the 1990s when he and Alison hooked up together back in England. When they heard we were coming to Scotland Alison said we’ll meet you there so we quickly booked an air bnb and have spent a few days together. We walked the streets of Edinburgh, marvelled at the architecture, visited the Royal Yacht and the castle, rode the hop on/hop off bus, walked the Royal Mile, caught up on all the happenings over the years, reminisced with loads of laughter and a few tears while eating good food, drinking excellent wine and scotch(Jim and Steve). It was so much fun and hard to believe how many years have passed……we will be doing it again but in another city!

!    Edinburgh castle  dates from the 12-20th century and has been a fortress, a royal palace, military garrison and state prison

 Royalty walking the Royal mile, Steve, Alison and Jim

  ……and here they are again but you can see them this time, well kind of!

The first time I saw the piper I was so excited but must admit that wore thin after a while but couldn’t resist a picture.  Our last stop of the day was the Royal Yacht Britannia which is now permanently berthed in Edinburgh.  It was in service for the Royal family from 1954-97 and sailed over a million miles but became increasingly too expensive to sail…….and likely was empty as the Royal family flew to the destinations and met it there.

One quick story before we leave Edinburgh.  When we finished the hop on/off city tour we popped into a pub on Rose St for a brew.   While chatting away we were interrupted by an older gentleman at the next table, well older than us, and he said  “sorry to interrupt but I couldn’t help overhearing and many years ago I was in a squash tournament in Ireland in County Cork and I haven’t been back but I never forgot that accent.   What part are you from?”  I smiled and when I said Canada he said “well I’ve made a real fool of meself now haven’t I?”  We told him about Newfoundland and the Irish and Nova Scotia and the Scottish and all was well.  He politely smiled and went back chatting with his friend……..guess I was talking rather rapidly with that Irish lilt most Newfoundlanders are known for!