England and Scotland day 9

 Well, all good things must end. Madison had the earliest flight, so we roomed together. She was up after 5am, did her final packing and we went down to the lobby. She bought a ticket on the airport bus and we waited for it. After a bit, the bus came and we said our difficult goodbyes. 

I went back to the room and rested a bit before getting ready to leave with Abigail and Bailley. About 8am we checked out. Instead of paying for the bus, which also had multiple stops, we just Uber’ed to terminal 3. Abigail was terminal 2, so more difficult goodbyes as she left to her terminal. 

Then, because I had bought some butter knives at Covent Garden, Bailley and I had to wait in line to check my bag. Then through security, then to wait on the gate assignment. That’s where I write this. 

What a wonderful trip with all the girls. I can’t wait until the next time!

England and Scotland day 8

 We got up early to grab breakfast and tried a new place just below the apartment. Luckily the apartment gave us a late checkout, so after breakfast we split up to finish any souvenir shopping and to take some last walks. 

Before noon, we all hit the apartment, grabbed bags, and headed to the train station. 

No express train, so a long, over five hour train to London. Got to kings cross and wanted to grab food and tried to hit Dishoom, a Bombay Indian restaurant. Well, after a 15 minute walk, it was over an hour wait. Instead, decided between Italian and middle eastern and ended up at Arabica. Wowza that was crazy good food. All in all I was happy that the Indian place was crowded.

Then we hopped in a lorry for a ride to the hotel. Some scoping out of airport shuttles and discussion of times, then we all crashed.

England and Scotland day 7

 Big day planned with day long tour to the highlands. Up and out by 7:15, to black sheep coffee, one of the few places open that early. Then up the royal mile to outside the Nero. Busses rolled up on time, cold but going to be a great day. 

Started out great, with lots of history and stories. Past the kelpies statue, past Doune castle (Monty Python filled part of the Holy Grail there), with a first stop at a small town where we could feed the highland cows and stretch our legs. Then back on the road… 

Until the drivers windshield wiper stopped working. Not a big deal in most places, really big deal in Scotland! So we were forced to stop at the Green Welly rest area to wait for a replacement bus. Now the Green Welly was nice, with great porridge and rolls, but not 3 hours nice. Eventually the bus came and we were back on the road. Thing is, a 3 hour delay in a day where the sun sets at 4pm is a big impact. So the route fell back to a bare minimum, but we at least hit the sights I wanted to see.

First, just passing through the highlands was incredible. Like Abigail said, big Iceland vibes. Tall peaks, some snow covered, with waterfalls everywhere. Every where you looked was a Scotland postcard.

Then Glen Coe. And on to Loch Ness. Only had maybe 15 minutes of sun left, but I loved it. My primary school librarian, Mrs. Biles, would have been proud that I finally made it. Now I just have to tick off the Bermuda Triangle :) . 

Once we finally got back, we hit Makars Mash, and what a nice ending. Finally tried irn bru at dinner. Food was great, beer was great, sticky toffee pudding was on point, and just being with the girls chatting and laughing was just the best.

England and Scotland day 6

 Up pretty early again and all out the door around 9:30. Went to southern cross for breakfast… very nice. Then we hoofed it up the royal mile to the castle. The girls’ audio downloads were taking forever, so they got the museum audio player. Then into the castle. 

There are historical mentions of castle rock back to 600 AD. The oldest building still there is St. Margaret’s Chapel, built around 1150.

 

A quick snap inside St. Margaret’s Chapel. 

After some rest, me, Abigail, and Bailley went out to get a nibble to eat, get cash, and do some souvenir shopping. We went to the same place we had breakfast… man, what good cakes and great sticky toffee pudding. Then we walked down bridge st to an atm and I grabbed a magnet. On the way back we stopped at the local market in the church and I got a print. Then back to the apartment, rest for 30min, get Madison and head to our first tour: witches of Edinburgh. Very informative and very cute.

A couple of cool things from the tour, Deacon Brodies pub is named for the inspiration for dr. Jekyl mr. Hyde. We also walked through the cemetery at Greyfriars, where JK Rowling got a few of the names of characters in her Harry Potter books.

Grabbed a quick bite in a pub… 

 And back to the apartment.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

England and Scotland day 5

 

Everyone woke up decently early today. After some showers and getting ready, we popped out for a coffee and a bite. 

We started walking toward the castle when we noticed a local market in an old church. Insanely pretty venue and so many cool things to see. 

Then we pushed on up the royal mile, stopping in lots of little shops and admiring all the cashmere.

Finally at the castle, shocker, great views.

We then walked the entire length to palace of Holyroodhouse. That was also a great view of Crow Hill and Arthur’s Seat.

We stopped and got lunch at Tolbooth Tavern. Drinks all around and our first haggis. We had to try it. 

Then short stroll and we’re back toward the apartment. Right at the apartment we explored cockburn street some… more really cool shops and little cafes. In fact, breakfast spot for tomorrow has been penciled in.

We finally started making concrete plans and making reservations for tours. Looks like Friday will be day trip day. We all also got a little rest and maybe a wee nap.  

We finally got back out. We walked over the bridge past waverly train station to princes street. We walked and just browsed shops as we went. We eventually crossed back over into the old town. 

From there we started searching for some food and maybe some dessert. Hmmm, it was harder than expect, with most places closing early and the ones that remained open having a long wait. It finally devolved into Tastes of Scotland cookies and candies (and maybe a tiny whisky), then a pizza for take-away back to the apartment.

England and Scotland day 4

 I woke up to Madison texting that she had landed in London! An hour later, Abigail lands as well! We’re all in London. 

We decide to meet near paddington for breakfast at a cute little cafe, Sheila’s. 

Man oh man it was great to see them and finally have everyone together. After eating and hearing about everyone’s travel, we jumped on the tube to king’s cross where we bought train tickets to Edinburgh. 

A nice train ride up. 

Unfortunately, I started getting messages that our Airbnb has a plumbing issue. Hmmm, we go back and forth as well as look at different apartments that were available and hotels while we eat dinner… nothing close to the original location or price, so we decided to stay with our original apartment. After dinner, a walk to pickup the key, then walk to the apartment. Wow, beautiful apartment in a great location right off the royal mile. Only catch? Can’t use kitchen sink or washer (which is in the kitchen as usual)… meh, washing clothes in the sink is a small price to pay for this. 

Madison and Abigail crashed pretty early. Bailley and I went out for a stroll. We walked up the royal mile to the Edinburgh castle to just see the view. Then as we walked back we stopped for a pint and some sticky toffee pudding and then called it a night.

England and Scotland day 3

 Well, the tiny nap yesterday did _not_ affect sleeping. I was completely out until 7:30. Closed my eyes, boom, it’s 9:30. Ok, time to start moving. Plan was to hit regency st cafe, one of my London favorites, for a real English breakfast. It’s close, so we walk and wuuuttt?!?!? There’s a line through the place and out the door. Well dang. word is out on my secret little spot.

So instead, we went to a bakery we passed when we first left the st James tube stop, the royal artisan bakery. Wowza, I missed my English breakfast, but the bakery was spectacular. 

Then the marathon walkabout commenced. Through Westminster to Victoria gardens, then across lambeth bridge. Then we walked along the Thames to the London eye. 

Then back across the Thames, through embankment to covent garden. Wow, so many little shops and a beautiful old building and so much going on. 

From there, we took a quick break at a pub, the white lion, just to get off our feet and regroup. 

After a pint and some mulled wine, we headed back out to the British museum, spectacular as always. 

After that, back to covent garden to pick up a trinket and then toward the river to a tube stop. Two tube stops later, back at the apartment to rest before last night out in London.

A quick stop for fish and chips for dinner, right by the apartment. 

Then a walk to the tube and ride to see Christmas lights on different streets. The lights were really pretty and much more plentiful than I remember. 

Then the start of a walk to end at a pub, but it was finally too much for me. Today totaled 9.5 miles and I felt it. So we hoped on the tube again for a ride to chancery lane, to cittie of yorke, my favorite pub in London. It was great to have a pint, and just relax and chit chat with Bailley. 

Then a tube ride back, and just like that, our visit to London is almost over.