Edinburgh

Arrived safely after an uneventful flight on EasyJet. It was crammed but OK. Our apartment is in the heart of the action on the Royal Mile (sort of like our Rocks area) and really nice although the lane we access it from(up some very steep stone stairs worn in the middle) is called Fleshmarket Close!

Did a tour of the city on one of those "topless" tour buses ( a bit breezy for the fringe) but it gave us a good insight into the layout of the city. It is really quite easy to get around but a bit steep and hilly in places. Edinburgh is a real tourist Mecca.Shops, pubs and restaurants all around.... and quite a few whisky outlets.

Did a tour of the castle which is very interesting and then wandered down the Royal Mile shopping.....and guess what? She found not one but two Christmas shops....and Grey Friar's Bobby!

That's when I headed up to Calton Hill to see the monuments and get another view of the city and then hoofed it back to town and somehow found myself in a quaint little pub having a pint and shooting the breeze with the barman.
We've seen so many old buildings and churches and monuments it's mind boggling.the cobbled streets and tiny, windy lanes transport you back to the 18th century when it would have been dirty, smelly crowded and probably dangerous. Little steeply staired lanes and alley ways everywhere. I reckon it is the city of "sandstone and steps"

We loved Edinburgh.....so much history and so much to see and do. The people were really friendly as well ....and easily understood!

Off to the North tomorrow.