At the end of the John Muir Way, we caught a bus to Edinburgh and walked about 4km to the Northumberland hotel. Our packs felt very heavy after 11 days of only carrying our lunch and raincoats.
We wandered the streets for a couple of days together, checking out the National Museum, and walked around the Edinburgh Castle. This castle is used by the Royal Family regularly and holds the Crown Jewels, not the family jewels.
I also visited the Surgeons museum which was filled with sample of various body parts, usually diseased or broken. I found it very interesting but I could see some very quesy looking people around.
August is the busy festival month but July was busy enough for us after 6 weeks walking quiet trails. The city was busy preparing for the 100s of events. Roads were closed off and scaffolders and people in hi viz clothing were busy working to get the city ready.
August brings the famous Edinburgh Tattoo. It is a show that us repeated many times through the month and lasts for two hours, featuring a dynamic blend of Bagpipers, Marching Bands, military demonstrations, and mock battles. I am not sure why it has the same name as permanent designs on the skin. The English language is very confusing.
Kay caught an overnight bus to London a couple of days before her flight back to New Zealand. There had been train and bus strikes and a global Microsoft breakdown while we were here she didn’t want to risk missing her flight home.
I then moved to stay with my granddaughter, Hope, and her fiance, Daniel. They have been away from NZ for over 6 months now, so I was pleased to see them both. They both have good jobs and are settling into life in a first-floor apartment in a big city, which is only about 15 minutes walk from the city centre.
I visited Garry’s niece, Natalie, and hubby Paul and met their gorgeous 3 year old daughter, Polly. The last time I saw them was in about 2007 when they had recently arrived I Edinburgh. We talked and talked, even when Polly said, ” No more talking.”
I also caught up with Billy who had worked with me in New Plyouth quite a few moons ago. He now sells $600 shoes in a tiny wee shop in the heart of Edinburgh.
I also visited some old haunts of my son Dean’s and friend Megan. They looked at my photos and said that not much has changed there in 20 years. Mind you, that is a small period compared to the age of Edinburgh. Evidence of a Mesolithuc camp has been found, that dates back to 8500 BC. So it us a very, very old city indeed.
