Card Carrying Fans of Scotland -- That's us!

Hi Auntie,

We decided to spend the last couple of days we had at Edinburgh.  This seemed like a great idea since I had never been and we thought it best to avoid the crowds during the London Marathon.

After a scenic train ride through England, we arrived at Edinburgh, and the first thing I noticed was that it was pretty cold -- the breeze ramped up the temperature.  A man helped us with directions to our hotel, and we walked right passed it -- but eventually, after more directions and the GPS on Noey's phone, we located our hotel and were ready to explore.

En route to Scotland

Edinburg Edifice

All I could think of was getting a hat -- but I couldn't find the kind I wanted (the kind Marlyne gave Chase for Christmas) -- so I settled on a hoody from HRC.  A nice lunch and a bit warmer, we spent the afternoon on a hop on/ hop off tour.

Noelle took me to Elephant House, where J.K. Rowling penned the Harry Potter novels.  I found Noey & Laruen's signatures on a doorframe and had a tattie--baked potato with hummus and roasted peppers, and my first Scottish beer.  Yum!

Beer & Tattie at Elephant House

 We decided to stay in town, rather than go to the highlands, and we were glad we did because they had a parade to welcome home their troops from Afghanistan.  We were glad to be a part of it.  

The mascot of the Scottish Troops

We easily determined our favoirte pub.  Pubs are different here, than in England, in that the 'eating areas' are separate -- you don't eat at the pub, you drink.  You eat in the restaurant portion of the establishment.  Anyway, our favorite pub was Deacon Brodie's Tavern, on the main street.  Deacon Brodie was an upstanding citizen by day and a thief and burglar by night.  He was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Scottish Troops

Noey in front of Deacon Brodie's Tavern

We spent the day looking for a meerschaum pipe for Steve -- ending at the only true pipe store left after an informative-though highly prejudicial- commentary from a Scotsman, during our cab ride (a true highlight of our trip).  We enjoyed the festivities celebrated and look forward to taking Steve To Scotland.  

Ceiling at Decon Brodie's Tavern

Noey enjoyed the 'atmosphere'

I enjoyed the men in kilts

Final notes on Scotland:  While the Johnston name is a big and a source of pride from Steve's part of the family, there were just as many, or more, Clark's around (my side of the family) -- just saying....

Clark Bar

Clark Flower Shop

Johnstons Cashmere

street near the castle

And on our trip back to London, we honed Noelle's pinochle playing skills.

  We are card-carrying fans of Scotland.