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| The Base of Arthur's Seat with Edinburgh in the Background |
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| Arthur's Seat |
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| View of Edinburgh |
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| Gorse Bush |
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| At the Top of Arthur's Seat |
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| At Calton Hill |
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| The Firth of Forth from Arthur's Seat |
I had some anxiety about renting an apartment privately in Edinburgh, but it couldn't have turned out better. We are located just at the base of the Royal Mile right by Holyrood Palace. Last night was the first night we all slept through the night and had a little sleep in. Edinburgh is much smaller and a lot less hectic than London - and a lot easier to cross the streets without fear of being struck by a car/bus or bike. Was able to do some laundry which was an adventure. The washer is in the kitchen and the first load took about 2 hours to complete. I found the "super quick" setting and have cut the time in half. Drying is another story. We figure it's more like a dehumidifier than a drier as it does not vent. It seems to suck the water out and drain it and as a result takes a lot of time to dry. Good thing there are lots of railings to hang things from in the apartment. Finally got going around 11 and headed to Holyrood Park which took us by the Palace and the Paparazzi which was stationed outside the gates all day waiting for the Royals to depart all day. We caught a glimpse of Beatrice and Euginie leaving in their Jaguar chaperoned by 2 cars of guards or something. The 251 metre climb up Arthur's seat (an extinct volcano) was worth the effort. We saw many native plants, some church ruins and at the top was treated to a spectacular view of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth (in the background above). I nearly had a heart attack, not from the hike, but from watching my children leaping around like mountain goats on the slipery slopes and steep paths. The best part was sitting in the heather near the summit with bagpipe music drifting up from below - can't get more Scotish than that! The journey down was much quicker, stopped for ice cream at the bottom, a quick check at the Palace to see who was coming and going (the Paparazzi was still there) and back to the Apartment for lunch and a rest. Calton Hill and it's monuments was next - much to Cael's disappointment. In his words - why do we have to go up another god forsaken hill? Edinburgh is built on seven hills and we did 2 today - tomorrow is Castle Hill. Calton hill has a number of monuments which Cael and Aidan loved (to climb on that is). Aidan had about had it. He has been a trooper keeping up with us all since the start and just wanted to go back to the apartment and get in his pj's, so that is what we did. Lasagne is smelling good in the oven and I am being called for supper.
