Greetings From Edinburgh, Scotland Day 1
Mar 16th, 2012 | 01:42 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 177
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Greetings From Edinburgh, Scotland Day 1
Greetings From Scotland
Day 1
Hi everybody. Here I am in Edinburgh, Scotland. We arrived this afternoon, after a pleasent flight, where Frank and I slept like a baby. We took an adorable British cab to our hotel. We could not get over how they drive on the wrong side of the road, and the driver is on the opposite side. We were greeted by a cold damp, rainy gray day. Little rain pellets fell as if to welcome us to this foreign land.
We are staying in a charming hotel name Hotel Channing. It is on a quiet attractive street, a brisk 5 minute walk away from the city . Beautiful old Georgian style mansions, with stain glass windows, and darling flower boxes adorn these lovely charms.
We were greeted with friendliness and a spirit of kindness, that I have not encountered abroad since we went to Dublin. I find Scottish people, in general, in my limited experience, are eager to please, willing and accomadating, energetic and polite, and most of all extremely civilized. Waiting their turns, patient and courteous.
Our conseriage Richard, brought our bags to our lovely room. It is spacious and warm, comfortable and clean. He made some suggestions, made himself available, basically our Mr. Belvedeer for 5 days. Mustering up our energy, we showered and got ourselves together and marched down the streets toward the city. It was gloomy and rainy, but we were well prepared, and full of enthusiasm. We found some confusion regarding the crossing the street situation, but managed not to get run over or cause any accidents, so I consider that a success. We walked along a park, while city workers bustled out of their offices in the end of the week frenzy.
We passed the Famous Edinburgh Castle. It followed us , in the same way the moon seems to always follow you. We took the suggestion from our lovely Richard for a restaurant called Cafe Fish. Every night they change their menus according to the fresh ingrediants offered and available. The restaurant was modern, white, and simple. The food was artistic, creative and unique. I had an onion tart with cheese to start, followed by gnocci and eggplant. The tart was delicate and delicious. A tiny morsel of heaven. The gnocci was crispy and buttery and melted in my mouth. I washed this down with an alcoholic apple cider from Sweden. It was like liquid velvet. Frank had a creamy fish chowder, chock full of fishy bits. His next course was a Monk fish in a curry sauce. The meal was very enjoyable, but indulgent and a little pricey.
We walked through the twiny , narrow hilly streets, water twinkling on the cobblestone. We made our way back to the hotel, thanks to our GPS and Frank's keen sense of direction. More to report tomorrow as it is a national holiday in our little family--The Frankster's birthday, and St. Patty's day .
~~Brooke and Frank~~
Day 1
Hi everybody. Here I am in Edinburgh, Scotland. We arrived this afternoon, after a pleasent flight, where Frank and I slept like a baby. We took an adorable British cab to our hotel. We could not get over how they drive on the wrong side of the road, and the driver is on the opposite side. We were greeted by a cold damp, rainy gray day. Little rain pellets fell as if to welcome us to this foreign land.
We are staying in a charming hotel name Hotel Channing. It is on a quiet attractive street, a brisk 5 minute walk away from the city . Beautiful old Georgian style mansions, with stain glass windows, and darling flower boxes adorn these lovely charms.
We were greeted with friendliness and a spirit of kindness, that I have not encountered abroad since we went to Dublin. I find Scottish people, in general, in my limited experience, are eager to please, willing and accomadating, energetic and polite, and most of all extremely civilized. Waiting their turns, patient and courteous.
Our conseriage Richard, brought our bags to our lovely room. It is spacious and warm, comfortable and clean. He made some suggestions, made himself available, basically our Mr. Belvedeer for 5 days. Mustering up our energy, we showered and got ourselves together and marched down the streets toward the city. It was gloomy and rainy, but we were well prepared, and full of enthusiasm. We found some confusion regarding the crossing the street situation, but managed not to get run over or cause any accidents, so I consider that a success. We walked along a park, while city workers bustled out of their offices in the end of the week frenzy.
We passed the Famous Edinburgh Castle. It followed us , in the same way the moon seems to always follow you. We took the suggestion from our lovely Richard for a restaurant called Cafe Fish. Every night they change their menus according to the fresh ingrediants offered and available. The restaurant was modern, white, and simple. The food was artistic, creative and unique. I had an onion tart with cheese to start, followed by gnocci and eggplant. The tart was delicate and delicious. A tiny morsel of heaven. The gnocci was crispy and buttery and melted in my mouth. I washed this down with an alcoholic apple cider from Sweden. It was like liquid velvet. Frank had a creamy fish chowder, chock full of fishy bits. His next course was a Monk fish in a curry sauce. The meal was very enjoyable, but indulgent and a little pricey.
We walked through the twiny , narrow hilly streets, water twinkling on the cobblestone. We made our way back to the hotel, thanks to our GPS and Frank's keen sense of direction. More to report tomorrow as it is a national holiday in our little family--The Frankster's birthday, and St. Patty's day .
~~Brooke and Frank~~
Mar 16th, 2012 | 03:14 PM
#4
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
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Thanks for keeping us posted. When I stayed at Channings it was more of a 10 minutes walk to Princes Street, and I'm a fast walker.
It is nice place to stay and the meal I had in their restaurant was excellent.
Even though it's about 78 degress here today, I'd still rather be in Edinburgh.
It is nice place to stay and the meal I had in their restaurant was excellent.Even though it's about 78 degress here today, I'd still rather be in Edinburgh.
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Mar 17th, 2012 | 09:23 AM
#11
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
Likes: 5
We took an adorable British cab to our hotel. We could not get over how they drive on the wrong side of the road, and the driver is on the opposite side.>>
lol, crusty, where is it in the world that the driver's seat is on the pavement side of the car? and we don't drive on the wrong side, because if we did, we'd crash into everyone coming towards us on the "right" side.
lol, crusty, where is it in the world that the driver's seat is on the pavement side of the car? and we don't drive on the wrong side, because if we did, we'd crash into everyone coming towards us on the "right" side.
Mar 17th, 2012 | 05:39 PM
#15
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 177
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Edinburgh Day 2
Hello my fellow friends. What a glorious day we had from beginning to end. This morning, I arose from my comfy bed, to the sound of the stuccato of song birds, and sun streaming in the window. SUN! Yes, people, that's how we roll. We arrive to a city, and presto -sunshine appears. We got on the move pretty quickly, and made our way to a beautiful morning spread of pastries and fresh fruit, followed by a made to order English breakfast of eggs and grilled tomato and all the usual English accompanments.
We gingerly made our way to the Edinburgh Castle, via curvy roads, steep steps, long alley ways, and scary opposing, and mind messing traffic. As previously mentoned, the sun was shining, the air was crisp, with a belly full of all my four food groups, I was ready. Surprizingly quick, we made it up to the Castle, which is perched up on prehistoric volcanic rock. We purchased our tickets, and joined a tour led by a lively gentleman in a kilt with a quirky sense of humor. We zig-zagged our way through the grounds, taking in beautiful views of the Firth of Fourth, a waterway that leads out to the North Sea. We took a glimpse of the crown jewels, got some downlow on the history of the castle, and finished the tour off with a 1 pm cannon shoot off.
We made our way down the Royal Mile, a street full of shops, restaurants, cathedrals steeped in importance and history, stores full of plaid, cashmere, kilts, and all the souveneir crap one could dream of. We stopped for lunch at a darling pub called Deacon Brodies Tavern. It was the total British Pub dining experience. I started my meal off with my new favorite cocktail, apple cider. I had a delicious roasted vegetable tart, with scruptious french fries, the kind that the Brits are famous for. Hearty, Hot and wholesome. Frank had Fish and Chips with mushy peas. It looked so good, I contemplated added fish to my repetoir.
The atmosphere was a lively lunch crowd, people eating with gusto. We made conversation with an English couple sitting next to us, educating us on British currency and haggus (sheeps intestines-that are apparently wonderful).
After lunch, we stopped in a cathedral of significant importance, and contributed to the economy of Edinburgh with some souveneirs. We stopped to rest in Starbuck's. People watching and reviewing the day's events, and just enjoying one another's company. We made one final stop to a whisky establishment. Frank taste tested a few different whiskys, acting like he knew a good one from a bad one, nodding and agreeing with the owner on whiskys finer points, hues, and high notes. In the end, buying a bottle of whisky, I am certain neither one of us will ever drink.
We made our way back to the hotel, much milage acrued on these bones today. As we were inches from the hotel, my ankle gave out and I went splat, bags a flying, arms a flailin'. But, in the spirit of this country, I brushed myself off, and good as new, I was good to go.
We did a quick clothing change and took a cab to the Queens Hall, a concert hall, of minimal opulence, to see a symphony performed by a chamber orchestra. The cab driver was full of conversation, interesting stories, good advice and was worth the cab fare for entertainment sake alone. The orchestra performed Beamish (a Scottish composer) to Beethoven. It was an intimate concert, with an eager audience full of music enthusiast. The music was spot on, with an amazing performance of symphony #7, that actually made my eyes well and my heart sing.
After the concert, we stopped for dinner at an Indian establishment near the hall. It was different that we are used to, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. We walked our way back to the hotel, which was 2 miles away, glad to burn off some of that spicy Indian. We made our way through the University of Edinburgh neighborhoood, plowing our way through masses of drunk roudy revelers celebrating St.Patty's Day in green tackiness and 20 something energy that reeked of cigarettes and beer.
All in all, a total of 24, 287 steps were accumulated today according to Frank's pedometer. It was a glorious day, a birthday for the Frankster, an Irish holiday, delightful food, amazing weather, evocative music, and walking of massive proportions.
Hope your all enjoying. Tune in for more tomorrow..........
Cheerio
`B and F~
Hello my fellow friends. What a glorious day we had from beginning to end. This morning, I arose from my comfy bed, to the sound of the stuccato of song birds, and sun streaming in the window. SUN! Yes, people, that's how we roll. We arrive to a city, and presto -sunshine appears. We got on the move pretty quickly, and made our way to a beautiful morning spread of pastries and fresh fruit, followed by a made to order English breakfast of eggs and grilled tomato and all the usual English accompanments.
We gingerly made our way to the Edinburgh Castle, via curvy roads, steep steps, long alley ways, and scary opposing, and mind messing traffic. As previously mentoned, the sun was shining, the air was crisp, with a belly full of all my four food groups, I was ready. Surprizingly quick, we made it up to the Castle, which is perched up on prehistoric volcanic rock. We purchased our tickets, and joined a tour led by a lively gentleman in a kilt with a quirky sense of humor. We zig-zagged our way through the grounds, taking in beautiful views of the Firth of Fourth, a waterway that leads out to the North Sea. We took a glimpse of the crown jewels, got some downlow on the history of the castle, and finished the tour off with a 1 pm cannon shoot off.
We made our way down the Royal Mile, a street full of shops, restaurants, cathedrals steeped in importance and history, stores full of plaid, cashmere, kilts, and all the souveneir crap one could dream of. We stopped for lunch at a darling pub called Deacon Brodies Tavern. It was the total British Pub dining experience. I started my meal off with my new favorite cocktail, apple cider. I had a delicious roasted vegetable tart, with scruptious french fries, the kind that the Brits are famous for. Hearty, Hot and wholesome. Frank had Fish and Chips with mushy peas. It looked so good, I contemplated added fish to my repetoir.
The atmosphere was a lively lunch crowd, people eating with gusto. We made conversation with an English couple sitting next to us, educating us on British currency and haggus (sheeps intestines-that are apparently wonderful).
After lunch, we stopped in a cathedral of significant importance, and contributed to the economy of Edinburgh with some souveneirs. We stopped to rest in Starbuck's. People watching and reviewing the day's events, and just enjoying one another's company. We made one final stop to a whisky establishment. Frank taste tested a few different whiskys, acting like he knew a good one from a bad one, nodding and agreeing with the owner on whiskys finer points, hues, and high notes. In the end, buying a bottle of whisky, I am certain neither one of us will ever drink.
We made our way back to the hotel, much milage acrued on these bones today. As we were inches from the hotel, my ankle gave out and I went splat, bags a flying, arms a flailin'. But, in the spirit of this country, I brushed myself off, and good as new, I was good to go.
We did a quick clothing change and took a cab to the Queens Hall, a concert hall, of minimal opulence, to see a symphony performed by a chamber orchestra. The cab driver was full of conversation, interesting stories, good advice and was worth the cab fare for entertainment sake alone. The orchestra performed Beamish (a Scottish composer) to Beethoven. It was an intimate concert, with an eager audience full of music enthusiast. The music was spot on, with an amazing performance of symphony #7, that actually made my eyes well and my heart sing.
After the concert, we stopped for dinner at an Indian establishment near the hall. It was different that we are used to, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. We walked our way back to the hotel, which was 2 miles away, glad to burn off some of that spicy Indian. We made our way through the University of Edinburgh neighborhoood, plowing our way through masses of drunk roudy revelers celebrating St.Patty's Day in green tackiness and 20 something energy that reeked of cigarettes and beer.
All in all, a total of 24, 287 steps were accumulated today according to Frank's pedometer. It was a glorious day, a birthday for the Frankster, an Irish holiday, delightful food, amazing weather, evocative music, and walking of massive proportions.
Hope your all enjoying. Tune in for more tomorrow..........
Cheerio
`B and F~
Mar 18th, 2012 | 06:38 AM
#19
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Enjoying your report! Love Edinburgh and yes the Scottish people are the most pleasant, hospitable people. If you are in the area around lunch hour there is a small but pleasant cafe on the grounds of St. John's. Inexpensive food and tasty. Cafeteria style.
St John's Episcopal Church
Princes Street
Edinburgh, EH2 4BJ
0131 229 7565
St John's Episcopal Church
Princes Street
Edinburgh, EH2 4BJ
0131 229 7565
