Here we go. We travel from Dumfries to Carlisle by Scotrail. THEN we transfer to a Virgin train. The first class tickets were only $10 more, so...why not see what that’s all about?
A menu for our lunch choice. (There are 2, both wraps)
Comfy seats with a little table by the window...all to ourselves....
...and as it turns out....we seem to have the WHOLE car to ourselves?! Come to think of it, we found what we thought was the train, got those huge suitcases aboard, no train personnel in sight...we found our seats, still no one around...Nan begins to think, with five minutes to departure, we must be on the wrong train? Help! But she doesn’t want Steve to get off and look around...in case, well, you know, the train departs! Without him!
Finally a train person comes along...I ask if we are the only ones in this car? Yes. And the next car has only two as well. And the whole train has 17 passengers. ??? He says the return trip will be packed. Maybe. Anyway, a quiet ride ....for sure.
We arrive in Edinburgh and found our hotel...right across the street from Waverley Station....yes, a Motel One again!
Take a look at this wall decor in back of the check in desk. Bring the outside, IN.
We settle right down for a coffee since it’s only 3:00 p.m.
Yep, the sheep theme lives on in the Edinburgh location.
Tonight is our last dinner in Scotland...and we check out the pubs along The Royal Mile. Just like last year, they are all full to overflowing by 8:00 p.m. Our last try...and there is room for us at a small restaurant: Angels and Bagpipes. The waitress apologizes and says...would it be alright to have a table all to ourselves in a small room up the stairs? Perfectly....perfect! Turns out to be one of the best meals we’ve had the whole trip!
Since our flight to London is not until early evening, we have the whole day to tour around. And we get to use our rain jackets again!
Off we go to St. Giles Cathedral on The Royal Mile to have breakfast in the basement cafe. We learned about this great little spot last year and we were anxious to return for a good, reasonably priced meal and...yes, great coffee.
Have to have a photo with the telephone booth. Soon, a thing of the past.
When we visit the cafe this morning we discover there is a free afternoon concert in the cathedral today!
We will be back for that!
First we hike across town to the National Museum of Scotland. Last year we only had an hour here, and there is much to see.
For instance...here’s the personal writing kit of Bonnie Prince Charlie!
Then a little shopping....you never know when you’ll need that wool scarf...might as well be one from Scotland.
It’s a ....tram...from downtown Edinburgh out to the airport. What else would it be? Definitely NOT the airport bus that wait across the street from Motel One. No, the tram, which is 7 blocks away...but...it’s a tram. Which is almost like a train. So. We’re on it.
It’s British Air from Edinburgh to London - Gatwick. Overnight at Gatwick....we have a 7:00 a.m. check in for Norwegian Air to Seattle.
Ahhhh, Friday Harbor! You are just as we left you!
First meal....SALAD. And greens...lots and lots of greens, a little chicken and no potatoes!
The welcoming committee!
Now....to turn our upside down bodies, right side up. We left London this morning at 09:50....and we arrived Seattle at 11:40...same day...ha ha ha. Laugh if you will...but since it really is more like 24 hours and not two hours...we have some adjusting to do!
It feels SO good to be HOME!
