Tuesday, June 22
I got back from Glenshee yester-evening with just enough time to down a half-pint at the Conan Doyle pub before hoofing it over to Waverley Bridge. There I paid 14 Scottish pounds for 24-hours’ worth of hop-on, hop-off touring on four open-top vehicles on four routes through the city. No, I didn’t sign up for a personalized experience such as I offer in Austin, but that’ll await my next trip overseas.
I got on the vintage bus for its last run of the day. I sat up front next to Evelyn, who spoke constantly about the passing scene with almost no chance for comments or questions from riders.
Such be a mass-appeal-type tour, but it satisfied me and suggested destinations for later.
The Grassmarket area of the medieval section was where officials used to hang criminals. Approriately, a favorite drink outlet in full view of the former gallows site is the Last Drop, and here I savored a pint and my first taste of hagis.
That was all of Monday, the Summer Solstice. It was still light outside at 11:00 p.m.
Tuesmorn, I climbed up Calton Hill, which affords fine looks at the city.
Just before the hour, I was inside Edinburgh Castle in time for the renowned One O’Clock Gun, the firing of a cannon so that ships in the harbor could set their chronometers. This occurred with military precision, and I captured the event on video (to be posted later).
Fab views, of course . . .
Explored the fortress for 120 minutes.
Back on yet another tour bus, I caught shots of famous prominences.
One last vehicle transfer took me near the waterfront. Couldn’t see the Royal Yatcht Britannia, but did catch glipses of the River Leith. On foot at last, I asked a tour company employee where the locals hung out. Soon, I was taking a pint and supper in the horror-themed atmosphere of R L Stevenson’s scariest story.
Went back to my hotel, showered, rested, then ventured forth one more time in the yet-glowing twilight.
Thus ended my E-experience.
Comments
Who’s where? Sounds like Howie is in Scotland taking pints and suppers and tours. And where did the week go? Today, in Austin, is July 2, Friday, and your blog sez June 22. And who put the T pin in that poor person’s head at Salsbury Crag? Did it come w/ the tour? Or was the person charged extra?
I wanna see the video and await impatiently.
Lotsa rain here, LOTSA rain nearly every day. May ck figs tomorrow or Sunday. Gayle in in Rockford w/ her folks. Matt is in San Antonio w/ his other family. Brett all moved into his new res near Kramer and Braker. Gretchen found it for him. Great deep lot and a long-ago chicken coop. I’m here by myself getting the fridge cleaned out and more.
BTW, the “right” person, Athens, an original SBT gal, was selected to be the Sustainability officer. And I noted on the Chron calendar that Transitions meets next Tues @ Stanley Studio.
yur frend who longs to be over the pond, too.
Y
Explaining again: we remain late, tardy, behind in posting these aventures. Each entry leads off with the date those actions happened, not those of the day it was put up. Please be patient!