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June 2, 2023: Giant blue poppies, an amazing azalea forest & an outstanding rock garden!!
After another filling breakfast at our hotel, we slowly walked to the Royal Botanic Gardens, about a 20-30 minute walk from the Ibis. These gardens are so beautiful and exceeded our expectations! We ended up spending most of the day here, including having lunch on the very pretty outdoor patio of the café. Some of the highlights are the gigantic blue poppies, the beautiful azalea forest, and the extensive rock garden. And the rhododendrons and Lady Slippers and the Queen’s Memorial Garden! What a relaxing and peaceful way to spend a day in bustling Edinburgh! We were tired by the end of our visit so we took a bus back to our hotel. For our last dinner in Edinburgh, we chose the Kao Pao Restaurant which is located in a new, modern shopping plaza, not far from our hotel, in the St. James Quarter. This is a modern style restaurant and the menu is influenced by the cooking of SE Asia. We love this restaurant! It’s another one of our favorites. We chose the Taster menu for 4 people @ 27 pounds per person. (Sorry about spelling out pounds. I tried to insert the pound symbol and ended up with my screen sideways. :-) The taster menu was so much fun! Our waiter brought out our dishes one at a time, and it was always a nice surprise to see the next dish. Everything was delicious! For dessert, Ed and I shared a banana crème diplomate with peanut caramel and black sesame filo. Roger and Joanne shared a fancy brownie dessert. I highly recommend this restaurant for a wonderful and fun dining experience. It was very busy so making advance reservations is a good idea. So, before we depart Edinburgh, I want to say my only regret is that we didn’t have at least one more full day in Edinburgh. I feel that we didn’t explore enough of Old Town. We didn’t make it to the Grassmarket area and we didn’t actually walk through the Princes St. Gardens. There is just never enough time! |
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The extensive and outstanding rock garden in the Royal Botanic Gardens! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...375380f64.jpeg Love the yellow flowers! https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8a78890c3.jpeg And the ornamental grasses! https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d684185cb.jpeg A very impressive rock garden https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...52fc8c1ac.jpeg As you can tell, we love this rock garden https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...60b2762cd.jpeg An inviting grassy path https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a98634822.jpeg Gorgeous rhododendron! |
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Our tasting menu from Ka Pao https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...593b64a83.jpeg Interior of Ka Pao https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9bf28ce57.jpeg These dishes are from our tasting menu. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...56babaa2c.jpeg Pork and bone marrow sausage https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a105c0665.jpeg Scallops and shredded cabbage https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8179867b7.jpeg Roasted corn ribs https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...198158752.jpeg |
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More dishes from our tasting menu https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3eb51c86e.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...123d1e45e.jpeg Cucumber salad, chili, lime and peanuts https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8c6a7ed22.jpeg I think this is the grilled mackerel with pak choi https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...494f078d3.jpeg Banana creme diplomate with peanut caramel and black sesame filo. So delicious! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c76100800.jpeg Roger and Joanne's dessert. Not sure what it's called but I call it the "fancy brownie" dessert. |
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Modern shopping plaza where Ka Pao is located. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2ca150cd5.jpeg Modern Edinburgh fashion https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2b87bcca7.jpeg Modern Edinburgh fashion |
The yellow flowering trees are laburnums. Blue poppies are also called Himalayan poppies, Meconopsis is their genus.
The pretty white flowers are Japanese Pieris, also known as the Lily of the Valley bush or andromeda. The fiery red spiky one is probably a Chilean firetree. Looking forward to the next instalment :) |
Wow, hetismij2!! Are you a botanist? I am impressed with your knowledge!
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Wow, what gorgeous blooms Karen, am loving your TR and pictures, keep it coming…
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Really a wonderful report a great pictures.
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I first saw blue Himalayan poppies in the gardens at Glamis Castle and was amazed by the color. In a later trip to Edinburgh I saw them again at the Botanical Gardens where I bought a package of seeds even though I knew they'd never grow in Michigan - unfortunately I was right.
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Originally Posted by hetismij2
(Post 17478805)
The pretty white flowers are Japanese Pieris, also known as the Lily of the Valley bush or andromeda.
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Originally Posted by Gardyloo
(Post 17478847)
...and which can kill you dead if eaten.
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Originally Posted by Gardyloo
(Post 17478734)
Really lovely pictures!
An architect/developer friend restored some flats above Tweeddale Court (second and third photos in post no.15) and sold one to his brother and sister-in-law, my BFFs, when they moved back to Edinburgh from some years in Yorkshire. They later bought a house in the New Town and let me stay in the Old Town flat on one of my visits. The Old Town is a great place to visit, but living there? Yikes. |
Originally Posted by Gardyloo
(Post 17478847)
...and which can kill you dead if eaten.
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Fabulous garden photos Karen!
The Himalayan blue poppy UK story goes back the plant hunters of the early 20th century mentioned in zebec’s recent London TR. I bought my wife a plant once, she did the best she could with it, but no luck. We saw a few in Hidcote garden, unforgettable. |
You might also like
https://www.alnwickgarden.com/the-garden/poison-garden/ |
Originally Posted by bilboburgler
(Post 17478859)
You might also like
https://www.alnwickgarden.com/the-garden/poison-garden/ |
Just yesterday, we were perusing an old gardening book that we'd found in the attic. Its most striking section was one listing Poisonous Plants and Flowers.
Geetika, in Zimbabwe we were once told that one of the drugs their teens were taking there and ODing on was dattura. I am done. the dragon |
Originally Posted by bilboburgler
(Post 17478859)
You might also like
https://www.alnwickgarden.com/the-garden/poison-garden/ |
Been to Alnwick twice since the Gardens were opened. . . . no fainting that I saw ;)
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Originally Posted by janisj
(Post 17478925)
Been to Alnwick twice since the Gardens were opened. . . . no fainting that I saw ;)
An added incentive now to visit Alnwick, in 2025 hopefully… |
JUNE 3, 2023: A DETOUR TO ROSSLYN CHAPEL, AND THEN ONWARDS TO ANSTRUTHER FISHING VILLAGE
Our hotel called a taxi for us, a big taxi that holds 4 passengers and all their luggage, to bring us to the airport to pick up our rental car. Some people (I forgot who) recommended that we pick up our rental car at the airport so we don’t have to drive in Edinburgh. Good idea! I rented an automatic car from Kemwel/AutoEurope who I have been using for years. They are a broker; our rental was actually with Europcar. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the office and the employee saw the 4 of us and all our luggage, she told us the car we reserved didn’t have a large enough trunk for our luggage. We looked at the trunk and realized she was right. So we had to upgrade to a larger car at an additional expense, of course! After we paid the additional fee, we were off to Rosslyn Chapel. I know this is a detour and in the opposite direction of the Fife Coast, but while we were in Edinburgh, my husband decided he really wanted to see Rosslyn Chapel since we both read the book and saw the movie The Da Vinci Code. Regarding driving in Scotland, Ed and Joanne volunteered to be the designated drivers! -😊 I don’t like driving in foreign countries, and I did all the trip planning and making the reservations, so I was relieved and happy to be only a passenger. They both agreed it didn’t take them long to get used to driving on the left. The main issue at the beginning of our trip were navigating the roundabouts, especially around Edinburgh. Rosslyn Chapel is beautiful and filled with ornate carvings on the outside and the inside. According to what I read, there are many different versions as to what the carvings symbolize. It was about a 20-minute ride from the airport so not too much out of our way and well worth it. There is a lovely outdoor café where we had lunch before we set off for Anstruther on the Fife Coast. We checked into our accommodations for the next 2 nights, the Waterfront Inn on Shore Street in Anstruther, directly across the street from the harbor and marina. We really like this inn. Our rooms were spacious, clean, and looked like they were recently updated. The rooms are in the back and the restaurant is in the front. The rate included a delicious breakfast in the restaurant where we could order off the menu. So it was nice to have a change from buffets. Anstruther felt very festive as they were holding their annual music and craft festival, held the first weekend of June every year. The crowds were not oppressive; we enjoyed the music, and I bought gifts from the vendors. We had dinner reservations at The Ship Inn in Elie. They provide a complimentary “designated driver” service to guests staying within 5 miles or so, so we took advantage of this, even though we aren’t big drinkers. We typically have 1 or 2 alcoholic beverages with dinner. (Anything more than that and I would be under the table:)) This is a great restaurant that overlooks Elie Bay so you have beautiful views along with delicious meals. We all ordered Cullen skink as starters and it is to die for! So tasty, and I think the best Cullen skink we had on our trip. Ed and I ordered grilled lemon sole, Joanne had cod fillet, and Roger ordered Pittenweem lobster that came with beetroot gnocchi. The hilarious thing is that his lobster was the most expensive meal on the menu and initially looked like it came with tons of lobster because the red gnocchi looks like lobster. Then he realized it was the gnocchi and he actually got very little lobster meat! Our meal ended with a spectacular dessert that we all shared because we were so full: chocolate cremeux. So, a wonderful beginning to our visit to the Fife Coast! |
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Rosslyn Chapel - became famous because of The Da Vinci Code https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3f0565231.jpeg Interior of Rosslyn Chapel https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...71dbb5884.jpeg Rosslyn Chapel |
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Another view of Rosslyn Chapel https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...30ece4d6a1.jpg Shore Street in Anstruther. The Waterfront Inn is the white building with the black awning. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bcdb02296.jpeg Anstruther https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0949b45ae.jpeg Anstruther harbor with the craft festival vendors in the background https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...46f0bcd6a.jpeg Anstruther marina https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2bf89903e.jpeg Anstruther marina https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b0894efb8.jpeg Anstruther scene https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ada683353.jpeg Anstruther https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...db6accde5.jpeg Anstruther coast https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0ce046de4.jpeg Funny sign - they knew we were coming! |
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Elie Bay https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c19b688eb.jpeg The Ship Inn in Elie https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...71e96a9dd.jpeg View from the Ship Inn https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...77dc78856.jpeg Cullen Skink - Simply Delicious!!! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...767f240d9.jpeg Grilled Lemon Sole https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...44c86d208.jpeg Chocolate Cremeux |
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Traditional full Scottish breakast https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...433b193b2.jpeg Avocado Toast https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...bea9d1626.jpeg Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e3fd63c94a.jpg Chariots of Fire Race in St. Andrews https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...530428f21.jpeg St. Andrews - by the beach https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a69792f6a.jpeg St. Andrews coastal scene https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...88308243b.jpeg Chariots of Fire race https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b0a337ac9.jpeg Chariots of Fire race https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...157ae6462.jpeg Ruins of St. Andrews castle https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9e38dd0b4.jpeg St. Andrews - along the coast https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8c01a5e27.jpeg Ruins of St. Andrews cathedral https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f0d2e9bb7.jpeg Ruins of St. Andrews cathedral https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b30bd7db3.jpeg Another photo of St. Andrews cathedral |
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And next up is the pretty fishing village of Crail! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cd106d692.jpeg Crail's pretty harbor https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0fc6d7ba2.jpeg Another view of the harbor https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fd594c9d0.jpeg Getting the boat ready to take out on the water https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...592e5a9d2.jpeg Taking the boat out on the water https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...29ae21f6e.jpeg Our "Oyster" ice cream treat! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...acdf98ce6.jpeg Crail street scene https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...86bbe1509.jpeg Another Crail street scene https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...083303c72.jpeg Beautiful scenery https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...545dd0051.jpeg Lupines along the Fife Coastal Path https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a5c7908a3c.jpg The lovely Fife Coastal Path https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...37b3cb53cd.jpg Another view of the coastal path https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2afc0870ac.jpg Pretty Crail coastal scene https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...31056951e.jpeg We all ordered the fish and chips - delicious! Probably the best battered fish on the trip. |
A Craft Fest always gives added value to a visit, doesn't it Karen?
Love that shot of the 'Ship Inn'. I remember the various Crail shots in the (was it Starrs?) original 'Vacation Photos' thread back during the start of covid. I am done. the golden hour |
Great pictures. OOH -- I can taste the Anstruther Fish Bar fish&chips. One of my favorite places to eat in Fife.
In Crail - the whitewashed bldg with the flags on the left side of the road down to the harbor is a cute little gallery/cafe with a sun trap terrace out back looking out across the water. Recognize every view . . . trod all the same places having stayed in Crail maybe 4 or 5 times over the years plus Kilconquhar twice, Pittenweem once, St Andrews once and Peat Inn once. Good times |
Just realized that I forgot to post my description of what we did on June 4, the day we explored St. Andrews and Crail. So here it is!
JUNE 4, 2023: EXPLORING THE FIFE COAST Our breakfasts this morning were so delicious! We all really liked what we ordered. Our goal for today was to explore the Fife Coast starting with St. Andrews. But first, while we walking to the public parking lot to get our car, we walked through the festival vendors and passed the herring catcher boat, named the Reaper, from the Fisheries Museum. During the festival weekend, the museum was allowing people to tour the boat for free. It was very, very interesting and we learned how hard life was on the boat. They went out to sea for a long time and slept in very, very close quarters. I would be so claustrophobic and seasick! This was a popular job for women, too, because they made a lot of money. Unfortunately, we didn’t make the time to visit the museum because the weather was gorgeous and we wanted to be outside as much as possible. And we simply didn’t have the time. An extra day would have been nice. Our first stop of the day was St. Andrews, where we happened upon the start of the Chariots of Fire Race! I can’t believe I have never seen this movie. I need to rectify that. From here, we walked along the coast and past the castle ruins and then the cathedral ruins. We didn’t pay to go inside because we already had tickets to see other castle and cathedral ruins. But the setting is lovely along the coast. From St. Andrews we continued on to the very pretty fishing village of Crail. We walked around, then had lunch at a seaside shack (Reilly Shellfish) and ate crab salad sandwiches outdoors on a picnic table. After lunch, we wandered around and came across a small ice cream place serving ice cream from their window. We all ordered a delicious ice cream treat that I believe is called “Oyster” because it looks like an oyster. It’s vanilla ice cream sandwiched between 2 light flaky crusts that are covered in chocolate and sprinkled with shredded coconut. This was to die for!!! Then from here we found the entrance to the Fife Coastal Path, which is a Scottish walking path that follows the coast and is about 116 miles long. You can walk it in sections. We only had time to walk on the path for about 20 minutes. The scenery is so beautiful and so spectacular. I love it! It would be wonderful to have the time to spend hours walking the path between the fishing villages, such as from Anstruther to Crail, for instance. Tonight we did not have dinner reservations because we wanted to have dinner at the Anstruther Fish Bar, and they don’t take reservations. Luckily, we only had to wait about 15-20 minutes. We all ordered fish and chips, and we all loved the fish. The batter is light and the fish is so fresh. We were disappointed in the fries (chips), however. Cole slaw came with the meal and we didn’t care for the cole slaw either because it was way too creamy for us. We noticed this in other restaurants, too. The Anstruther Fish Bar has a smart set-up; you pay for your meal at their ice cream counter!!! So of course, we all ordered ice cream cones for our dessert! A great end to another wonderful day in Scotland! |
Originally Posted by zebec
(Post 17479018)
A Craft Fest always gives added value to a visit, doesn't it Karen?
Love that shot of the 'Ship Inn'. I remember the various Crail shots in the (was it Starrs?) original 'Vacation Photos' thread back during the start of covid. I am done. the golden hour |
Originally Posted by janisj
(Post 17479021)
Great pictures. OOH -- I can taste the Anstruther Fish Bar fish&chips. One of my favorite places to eat in Fife.
In Crail - the whitewashed bldg with the flags on the left side of the road down to the harbor is a cute little gallery/cafe with a sun trap terrace out back looking out across the water. Recognize every view . . . trod all the same places having stayed in Crail maybe 4 or 5 times over the years plus Kilconquhar twice, Pittenweem once, St Andrews once and Peat Inn once. Good times I added the description of what we did in St. Andrews and crail. It’s post #72. |
Yay, I've been looking forward to this report!
"You have to compromise when traveling with other people, and we are not good at compromising on our vacations." I had to laugh at this because I feel the same way. I'm spending too much money to compromise on vacation, which is why there are only a few people I'm willing to travel on big trips with. I'm so glad you had such spectacular weather. I think the warmest days I had were the days I was in covid quarantine! |
[QUOTE=memejs;17479300]Yay, I've been looking forward to this report!
"You have to compromise when traveling with other people, and we are not good at compromising on our vacations." I had to laugh at this because I feel the same way. I'm spending too much money to compromise on vacation, which is why there are only a few people I'm willing to travel on big trips with." Couldnt agree more -- Beautiful photos, Karen. Exploring areas we didnt visit, so paying close attention. |
JUNE 5, 2023: LUNCH IN PITLOCHRY, THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, A FUNERAL BRIDGE, AND ARRIVING IN NAIRN
After another delicious breakfast at the Waterfront Inn, we set off for our long drive to Nairn, which is about 30 minutes from Inverness. Thanks to janisj for suggesting staying in Nairn instead of busy commercial Inverness! We loved staying in Nairn; it’s a very pretty seaside town; close to the sites we wanted to visit, and has many good restaurants. All the restaurants we had reservations at are in walking distance of our accommodations. A friend of mine suggested we stop in Pitlochry on the way for lunch. We had a very nice lunch at Victoria’s Restaurant. After lunch we took a short walk across the bridge (we needed to walk off some of our food!) that spans the River Tummel. Pitlochry makes for a nice lunch stop but I wasn’t overly impressed with it and probably would not spend a night here. Our next stop was the Old Packhorse Bridge (AKA as the Coffin Bridge) in Carrbridge. This bridge was built in 1717 and it’s known locally as the Coffin Bridge because it was built to allow funeral processions to get to Duthil Church when the River Dulnain was overflowing. It’s not in use today. In fact, there is a sign warning people not to walk across it. On the way to Nairn, we passed beautiful Scottish Highland scenery with grazing sheep and yellow witch’s broom everywhere. Our accommodations for the next 3 nights are at the Sunny Brae B&B. We love this place; it’s our favorite of all the places we stayed at. The rooms are very pretty and spacious. In fact, our room had a sitting area. The views are beautiful overlooking a gorgeous park and the Moray Firth. There is a common sunroom where we had drinks every night before dinner. Rachel and John, the owners, are wonderful. The rate includes cooked hot breakfasts; you can order from a menu. John is the chef! Our dinner this evening is at the Bandstand Restaurant, about a 5-minute walk from Sunny Brae. It’s one of our favorite restaurants. We ordered Cullen skink again for our starters. Superb! Just as good as the Ship Inn. I had steak and Ale Pie with the best chips; Joanne had duck; and the men had venison. The four of us shared another delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding, which is just as good as the one at Café Royal in Edinburgh. |
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My lunch at Victoria's restaurant - prawn and avocado open sandwich https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3867999ae.jpeg I don't remember whose lunch this is -:) I took only 2 photos of our lunches https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2b81978a0.jpeg Flowers at the Victoria's Restaurant https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7f289dcb6.jpeg Bridge in Pitlochry https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...654a8460f.jpeg Lovely view from the bridge in Pitlochry |
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and more sheep https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...99ed3d4e2.jpeg Sunny Brae Bed and Breakfast https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0ad7e3110.jpeg Sunroom at Sunny Brae https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e92598b61.jpeg Park across the street from Sunny Brae https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8aee940a3.jpeg View from Sunny Brae https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d8ad3bef9.jpeg Our bathroom |
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