I'm definitely not having a good month ! What with the oyster incident. I went to give my neighbour the key, as we were going away for a few days, and fell flat on my face onto the brick drive !! I cut the inside of my mouth, thought that I might have broken my wrist, which fortunately was just a bad sprain, bruised my nose, had black and blue eyes, grazed my face and have a bruised knee !!!! We were going to Edinburgh the next day. The following morning, I was getting ready. I was sitting on the toilet when I came over rather faint and thought, I must get to the sofa and lie down with my feet above my head. I ran down the hall with my trousers round my ankles (knickers had been pulled up, thank goodness!!) and fell over in the hall !!!! Mr.Home came running down the stairs and immediately rang the ambulance but, I told him that I was O.K. We finally made it to Kings Cross Station and began our journey to Edinburgh. Not the best start to a few days away !
Anyway, enough of my woes. The train is the nicest way to travel to Edinburgh. It runs along the coastline and has some wonderful views. I took the next few photos through the train window so they aren't very good but, you get the idea.
St. Giles Cathedral, with its famed crown spire, stands on the Royal Mile, between Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse.
I got told off for taking this one !! I didn't know that you weren't supposed to take photographs inside !! Naughty me.
In Scotland, a window tax was imposed by William Pitt, The Younger, in the 1780's, in the financial district of Edinburgh and, to this day, ' Pitt's Pictures' ( blacked-out windows with white painted cross frames ) can be seen in Charlotte Square. It is said that the phrases, ' the pitts ' and 'daylight robbery ' originated from this tax.
This is the Scottish Parliament building, which was supposed to have cost £50 million but, ended up costing £500 million !! I wasn't overly impressed with the architecture of the building.
We were allowed to sit in on Parliament, debating the volcanic ash from the Icelandic volcano and knife crime in Scotland.
Next, we visited Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, which stands at the end of Edinburgh Royal Mile. The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and as the setting of many of the dramatic episodes in her turbulent reign. She was married there and witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary, Rizzio, by her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, in her private apartments.
In the grounds of Holyroodhouse are the ruins of the Augustinian abbey, Holyrood Abbey, built in 1128. It is the site of many royal coronations and marriages. The roof collapsed in 1768 leaving it as it currently stands.
A few views of Edinburgh.
The rock on which Edinburgh Castle stands, has been lived on as long ago as 850 B.C. There has been a Royal Castle since the reign of David 1st in the 12th century.
The Governor's House.
Standing within the walls of the castle is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. It is St. Margaret's Chapel, which dates from the early 12th century.
You can be married there today fro the rather exorbitant price of £1,000 but, the chapel only holds twenty people.The castle is now in the care of Historic Scotland. There is still a military presence at the castle, largely ceremonial and administrative. It is also the backdrop to the annual Military Tattoo.
There is also a great deal more to Edinburgh Castle but, I don't want to bore you.
We also visited Gladstone's Land, where you experience what life was like in the Old Town before the New Town was built. Then it was over to the New Town to experience The Georgian House.
If you ever get the chance to visit Edinburgh, please do not hesitate to go. It is a beautiful city, full of history, great food and wonderfully friendly people.
We had a great time, even though my hand was in a support and, I looked as if I'd been ten rounds with Mike Tyson !! .......... and, did you see the blue skies in the photographs ? We had the most glorious weather.
Jackie
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