Edinburgh you are more than a tattoo

 

                                                  Ben the dog who made friends with Ross

 

Hills near Balerno where Sheila lives

A natural spring is housed inside this

Paul near where Skyfall was made

Train journey to Edinburgh went very smoothly even though the train was jammed packed with holiday makers. It was lucky that we had reserved our seats as we would have been standing the whole three and a half hours. I was pretty excited to reach Edinburgh as I was meeting up with Sheila who I first met in Israel on Kibbutz Ruhama in 1979. The last time I saw Sheila was in 1982 at Julie and Gillie’s wedding in Sydney. Julie and Gilly had also been on the kibbutz. Sheila had given me directions and we were soon on the number 44 bus to Balerno a suburb of Edinburgh. It was lovely to see Sheila and meet her husband Max. Cold beers all around, stories swapped, lots of laughs and a private whisky tour for Ross who had mentioned to Max that he was keen to do a tour whilst in Scotland.

Saturday we caught the bus back into the city to explore and gape at all of the heritage that surrounds you. Leaving Ross to do his own thing Paul and I headed up to the Royal Mile towards the Edinburgh Castle. We didn’t stay too long away as Sheila and Max had invited friends over for a bbq to meet the Aussies. One of these friends was Jane who had also been on the kibbutz as both she and Sheila had done their nursing together. Another couple Alan and Carol had returned back to the area after living in London for about 30 years along with Morag. Most people in Scotland love to sing and this was certainly the case as the evening progressed into the wee hours of the morning.

Rest day Sunday with Sheila, Jane, Paul and I heading off to a walking area near Balerno. This was an amazing place with lochs, hills, walk trails and woodlands. The family dog Ben joined us. That evening we ended up down the local pub the Grey Horse where local musicians were having a jamming session. We followed up with a Chinese meal cooked by the chef/owner of the pub. Very tasty meal.

Monday an early bus ride into the city centre to start our 2 day tour up into the highlands. Beautiful weather still. Lots of mountains some with small amounts of snow. Went around Loch Ness and stayed in Inverness for the night at a B&B. We had a hoot of a time at HOOTANANNYS a pub that is very popular and the live music being a mix of traditional Scottish folk music and hand clapping and foot tapping.

On another note being away this year meant that Paul and I would not be doing our usual stint in Broome. This would be the first time in the last 6 years that we would be “midge” free. Alas the little wee blighters are alive and biting in and around Edinburgh. Our tour guide said this is why the clans would dab on the blue paint that Mel Gibson made famous.

Off to Belfast in the morning.