BBgt--your mother's mobility problem raises a concern about the Edinburgh apartment: most are at least one flight up and don't have a lift.

We stayed in one on the Royal Mile a couple of years ago and while the location and the apartment were very nice, my spouse had a hard time hobbling up and down the three flights of stone stairs a couple of times a day.

Otherwise, bon voyage.

Of course, Ann, I should have thought of that. Your suggestion to book in advance is a good one. I'll look into it.

Thank you, Dwdvagamundo - fortunately, our apartment has a lift. We stayed in a hotel in London last year with no lift, and had a room on the 2nd floor. Mom made it, but didn't enjoy the climb!

I was initially concerned about staying in Edinburgh based on what I'd read about how hilly it is, but between the bus services and taxis I think we'll be fine. Did your spouse manage alright getting around other than the apartment?

Of course, Ann, I should have thought of that. Your suggestion to book in advance is a good one. I'll look into it.>>

BBtg - I too have a mother of a certain age, so I am getting used to finding ways around these problems.

I appreciate that, Ann. I'm just happy that I still have an enthusiastic travel partner, and have learned that a little patience goes a long way (for both of us!). Someday my son will be dragging his dear old mom around, but hopefully we'll both be cheerful about it.

BBgt--My spouse was able to get around to most places albeit slowly in some cases. There is hard going inside the Castle and Holyrood Palace, but she managed.

There is enough to see and do that, even if your mother can't go everywhere, she'll still have a good time and see a lot.

That's very reassuring - thank you!

BMK in my new incarnation. [don't ask!]

BBgt - one of the advantages of travelling with someone who likes to take is slowly is that you get more time to stand and stare, plus as you say, practice for when it's us that are slowing other people down.

Hi Cornishannie (like the name ) - How right you are. Mom and I actually do stop to smell the roses (well, how can you not when in England in the spring?), and it's wonderful what you see/smell when you slow down.

Here's a new thought... We were talking yesterday about taking the train from Edinburgh to Penzance rather than fly. We could get the train in Edinburgh at 0700 and arrive in PZ around 1800. It's a long journey, to be sure, but when we factor in the early start to get to the airport and the time to drive to Marazion with a few stops along the way, it seems it will be a full day, no matter what.

I called Aspects Holidays yesterday, and apparently our cottage has a lock box, so no need to stop and pick up keys. All we would need to do once in Penzance is take a short taxi ride - then pick up our hire car the next morning, once we're settled.

I seem to be giving all the arguments in favor of taking the train. Are there any reasons it could be a very bad idea?

I should add that I've read Carolyn's trip report (5 Star Trip on a 3 Star Budget), and even commented on it. It seems the train worked pretty well for her group. I'd still welcome any feedback regarding pros and cons of train vs. flying.

BBgt - if you're prepared to spend 11 hours on the train, then go for it. as a train journey I'm sure it has some highs - for example the part between Exeter and Plymouth is a joy - and this way you would get to see it in both directions.

however, a few possible negatives:

trains can get very crowded with little room to move up and down the carriages; this could be alleviated by getting first class tickets and your mother [and possibly you?] could save money by getting a senior railcard. - it would pay for itself on a trip of that length.

nevertheless, even if you get the cheapest tickets going by booking early etc., you ma be surprised at how expensive the train is.

if you want [and can get] a proper meal on the train in a Pullman restaurant car, that will add to the price, though they are a lovely treat.

it will be the beginning of the english schools half-term holiday, which will lead to even more people trying to get around the country.

you will miss out on the trip across Dartmoor.

There could be delays on the train [but then of course planes can be delayed and cars can get stuck in traffic jams].

good luck deciding!

and this website might help:

http://www.seat61.com/UK-train-travel.htm#.Vf2VYEI2VS8

You've given me much to think about, Cornishannie. I do think we'd opt for first class for a journey this long. I hadn't checked on senior rail passes (yet), but I did compare the price of a Britrail Pass with that of Advance Purchase tickets, and for the journeys we're planning, the BR Pass would be much less expensive (for 1st class).

I'll look at the website - hadn't done that yet, although I know the Man in Seat 61 is considered a guru of train travel.

It would be a shame to miss out on the drive across Dartmoor, but on the plus side, it would be nice to get to our cottage without negotiating the tight lane on our first night (or is that just me being wimpy?). Our cottage is down Leys Lane in Marazion, but we'll have to park in the main car park near Godolphin Arms (I messed that bit up a bit when booking - liked the cottage location so much I didn't think about parking!).

well, you've got plenty of time to think about it, BBgt.

I can see pros and cons both ways.

If you do take the train and there isn't a dining car, let me remind you to buy your lunch sandwiches early. As I wrote in the TR, they had run out by the time we tried to buy.

That is a point well-taken, Carolyn. That's too long a journey to go without a decent meal! May I ask - if you had the choice to make again, would you still choose to go by train over flying?

BBTG - you can of course take your own provisions on the train - though as it leaves at 7am, you would want to buy them the night before. My mum always takes a sandwich and a drink with her on her journey from Redruth to Coventry and sometimes she's been very glad to have them.

Yes, we would take the train again. The country we passed through was interesting to us, we had a really pleasant day, and Annhig's "lovely bits" were indeed lovely. We had snacks and candy in our bags, and the young woman who had to tell us she was out of sandwiches felt so bad that she brought us one big sandwich cut into thirds and three bags of chips (crisps). I'm afraid she gave us her own lunch, but she was laughing so maybe it was someone else's.

that's a good story, Carolyn - I wonder whose lunch she had pinched?

Perhaps she gave you a co-worker's lunch, Carolyn.

Mom seems to prefer the idea of train even though it's so much longer, and in some ways, I do too. We've still got plenty of time to decide. If we do go by train, and opted for first class, would we be more likely to be fed? I've got a bit of homework to do. It would be a very good idea to have some provisions with us, regardless.

BBgt - I think that you would need to consult the website of the appropriate train company to find out what sort of refreshments you could expect, in first or any other class. but yes, if you're going to on the train for that length of time, i think I'd want some of my own food with me, just in case.

Still up in the air (so to speak) about flying vs. train, but we'll definitely not travel without food. First class train tickets from Edinburgh are astronomically high - but standard class with a rail pass isn't so bad (I don't qualify, but Mom does). We may opt to fly after all, but still plenty of time to decide. Thanks for all of your comments.