IToday is a rest day. I have taken it very easy. Tomorrow the Scottish Highlands Embroidery Tour begins and I want to be as fresh as I can be.
My hotel is next to the Scottish Parliament -directly behind it. The photo is of the back wall of the parliament.
Across the road is Our Dynamic Earth, an attraction which tells the story of the Planet.
One street behind the hotel is the Royal Mile. The photo below is the back of the buildings on the Royal Mile directly behind the hotel. 
Holyrood Palace is the other side of Parliament.
I went for a walk along the Royal Mile this morning. I walked about half way to the Castle and back being reminded of that strange mix of uniformity and individualism that is Scotland. 
Buildings have a sense of harmony and sameness - but on close inspection either the buildings or their landscapes are quirky and unique.
There is variation in the stone, which, if placed amongst greenery, would have a softening effect. 
I did not enter St Giles's Cathedral.
I paused to take a photo for s family enrolling their daughter for Life Long Learning in the institution near my hotel. Walking on the hill and the cobblestones isn't easy. I was quite tired and spent the rest of the day stitching, catching up on correspondence and organising my clothes a little. The hotel's menu isn't vast and I imagine I will have tried it all by the time I leave as we are eating here over the weekend. I didn't want big meals so had an excellent smoked salmon and cucumber sandwich for a very late lunch and soup and icecream for dinner.
An early night tonight.
I can imagine you stitching away in your Edinburgh hotel and reflecting on the varied and enriching experiences you have had in England, travelling alone and with your cousins. When we were last in Edinburgh it rained and was bleak - all that grey stone! - but it is so interestingly situated on the steep hills that there is always something unexpected to see. Although our family tree tells me that I have more English than Scottish ancestors, I always feel a frisson of 'home' when I cross the border - perhaps it's my Presbyterian upbringing! Have a wonderful embroidery tour - I'm sure you will.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn. Yes, it can be very grey and austere. I too have always been attracted to Scotland, with no ancestral connection whatever. As a child I listened to the Christie's radio show - half an hour on Saturday evening when Christies, the Scottish outfitter played Scottish music on the radio. My father complained about it, but I listened religiously and loved the music.
DeleteIt's an amazing city Edinburgh. I hope you really enjoy your time there. It does look wintry though even though it must be High Summer.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's not really wintery but it is chilly - skivviy under synthetic top weather. High Summer seems to be July-August - although the solstice is in 2 days time (much speculating about global warming)..
DeleteThe Scottish embroidery tour sound fascinating. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThe grey stone buildings are very dour, like some Scots (I can say that as I am married to one - who isn't). Stick to the salmon and stay clear of the haggis. I am sure it is still cold even though it is summer.
ReplyDeleteThe salmon is indeed good. I am also partial to shortbread. It's cool but not cold. I'm quite glad I posted my cropped jeans and sandals home from Norfolk!
DeleteSo many of your Scottish photos have been dark and cloudy. And the architecture does seem to reflect that mood. I am not used to thinking of English architecture as light, but it certainly seems lighter by comparison!
ReplyDeleteYes, I found it so, Monica. I had lived in Scotland for several months in the 70s and loved it, but, as interesting as Edinburgh is culturally it feels a bit gloomy - dour really IS the descriptor.
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