EDINBURGH - LAKES

13^th May Edinburgh to Lakes

We bid our farewells to the tour group and caught a taxi to Hertz car hire in the centre of town to pick up our hire car for the start of our England trip.  No Ritzy ford Mondeo hire car this time as we ended up with a ford galaxy zetec people mover which was to later become a pain on the tiny roads were to encounter in the lakes. 

 After our experience with driving the narrow streets in Ireland we decided to continue the extra expense of Insurance cover (something we never do at home) – getting soft in old age. I had an International license as we were warned that it would be required by the hire car company.  Despite my protests Sharon insisted I purchase it on the advice of our travel agent.  This was a sore point as I was told the same thing when I first travelled to Australia in the early 80’s and that international license like this one still remains unused as authorities and hire car companies only want to view your local country licence and just frown on the international licence.  (Lesson to be learned for anyone viewing this post).

We got some basic directions from the hertz agent and unlike the animated directions we received in Ireland we proceeded with maps in hand out of Edinburgh toward the English border

Leaderfoot bridge what a feat of engineering

 The sky was grey and gloomy as we drove out of the city and the wind picked up as we pushed further south passing  more gothic churches and the magnificent abbey ruin in Jedburgh where we stopped for a walk and some pictures.  We got some great pictures of the old village before heading off toward England – (I got a fabulous photo of the carved rock depicting our entry into England and some photos of the harry potter bridge like the one depicted in the movie).  

Jedburgh Abbey ruins

Another gorgeous church

Jedburgh Abbey ruins

Old Goal Jedburgh

Jedburgh Abbey love the blossom tree

Jedburgh town centre

 THE MAGIC WALL

We passed the English border & into Northumberland and the landscape became very wild indeed.  Occasionally I got glances of the wall in some sections.  It appeared between the stone hedges and dips in the road then just over a large turn in the road a huge section of the wall presented itself and I had to stop the car as this was a fairly significant event for me. 

English border

English border

The views at the English border

  I had heard about Hadrian’s Wall in my history lessons at school and it remained in my mind as a distant memory all these years.  The wall at this section was dilapidated and broken but it stood out among all the other hundreds of stone walls stretching in every direction over the top of hills and into the distance.  The stones were carefully carved and placed in a formed structure and stood solid in their dilapidated form even though they were centuries older than any of the other primitive stone walls that surrounded them.  It was evident even to the untrained eye that something much more sophisticated had taken place here.

Hadrians wall complex

There are several Roman sites in this area but we decided to stop at the Housesteads Roman fort on the advice of the local information centre. 

10th century well Hadrians wall Housesteads

Hadrians Wall

 As we exited our vehicle in the carpark I was considering if this was indeed a good idea.  The wind had picked right up and was howling as we got out of the car.  I huddled into my overcoat and reached for my scarf (which I had reluctantly accepted from Sharon earlier but now was just pure comfort) as I wrapped it tightly around my neck and face.  We paid our fee and proceeded to walk a further kilometre uphill into a gale force wind passing through a wind blasted landscape which was unkind to both man and beast.  Even the livestock of sheep and lambs huddled out of the wind as we proceeded upwards until we reach our destination

The Fort

Foundations for heating at the fort

 At the top of the hill we enter a visitor centre through open doors which magically block the freezing wind where we enter through the open doors and pass through some kind of invisible wind shield.  Inside is hot and no wind can be heard from the outside completely obscuring the external climate.

Fort foundations for Grannaries

Stone walls everywhere

The food storage section

 When we exit the visitor centre it is like stepping onto the North Pole.  The freezing wind just blast into your face and cuts through your clothing like it is not there.  The fort is just a ruin but the layout of the structure is still clear.  It is huge and stretches across the landscape and set against the sky.  We view the signs which depict what was here and it just seems incredible that such an advanced civilization could exist when the local people were living such a primitive life.  They had heated flooring which explained how they could exist in such a hostile landscape.  

It sure is cold up here

Is that you Sharon

I paced all over the fort and got totally caught up in the history of the place, finally catching up with Sharon who I found frozen in one of the far gates of the fort.  We decided to return to the car park and continue with our journey with Sharon insisting on taking pictures of the cute (as she called them) lambs on our decent.  (Lambing season here) until we finally got into our hire car and got the heater revved up and set out on our way to the lakes. 

Lovely Lambs

Lambs with Mum admit it they are cute Johnny

 This has been a wonderful experience for me and I look forward to the showing Sharon the Lakes district  with wonder as to what we will see next. 

Heading to Lakes District driving alongside Lough Ullswater

 Heading to the lakes District we drove along past Ullswater Lough it was breath taking driving on a narrow windy road right next to the waters edge.I was very excited about what was to be seen in the Lakes district as this was just the edge of the district.

It would be lovely to live here

 Living here would have been lovely I think it is just  a summer home for some lucky family.

These roads were narrow, windy & tested the nerves

The roads into the district are scary but the area sure gives you a feeling of wonder. As we got higher & went through Kirkstone pass I just had to hold my breath & look out the window. The roads were narrow with bend after bend & both sides of the road were flanked by a low stone road no room for error & no room to pass another vehicle.I thought amusing that there was a centre line as we really had to drive in the centre of the road.

Then in came the mist to add to the anxiety

Lastly the mist came in to add to the anxiety the beauty & the eerie feeling of the area. 


We arrived safely down the mountain into one of England's most beautiful areas I quickly declared I could live here.

SCOTLAND - Edinburgh

12^th May Edinburgh

We were allocated a separate bus tour to view the sights of Edinburgh starting with the sheer volcanic cliff which rises majestically over the city. Perched on top of that cliff was the castle.

We spent most of the day in the castle then explored the narrow streets & parks that make up Edinburgh.

EDINBURGH CASTLE

Fantastic shop signs

Edinburgh has mansions of the Georgian style in the 200 year old new town with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal mile – the oldest part of the city.  

THE ROYAL MILE IN EDINBURGH

We visited Princess Street the main shopping thoroughfare that separates the two areas.  Our tour finishing at the imposing Edinburgh castle where we seen the historic buildings and enjoyed the fantastic views over the city

Welcome to The Castle

Majestic castle entrance it is never quiet

The great hall still used today

Sharon''s Illegal photo of the nurses tribute WW2 

A whole building Rememberance hall dedicated to those who lost their life in wars

Can you see me firing this

THE STADIUM BEING SET-UP FOR THE MILITARY TATTOO

Mons Meg seige gun from 1457

The alter St Margaret's Chapel 12th century oldest building in the castle

GEEIS A PIECE O YR HAGGISS PIPER

Do you think I could make a soldier & stand in this box all day

Embroidered soldier hold alls

'VIEWS OVER THE CITY FROM THE CASTLE WALLS

Sampler wonderful embroidery

Stained glass St Giles Cathedral

St Giles Chapel

THE NARROW COBBLESTONE BACK STREETS OF EDINBURGH

ONE FOR CRISSHA a lovely vintage wedding dress

Blairs - St Andrew's - Edinburgh

11^th May – Blair’s – St Andrews – Edinburgh

We travelled south through the lush countryside of Aberdeenshire to visit Glamis castle (the legendary setting of Macbeth) the childhood home of the late queen mother.  It was impressive as we drove the long driveway. The volunteer guides showed us around the castle & once again you were not allowed to take photos. So far this is the most ornate castle with so many treasures & so much history. 

Outside of the castle

Highland cattle calf

 This time I have photos of the Highland Cattle up close & personal in the grounds of Glamis Castle. This big guy was very friendly & came right up to me. I could see eyelashes that most of us can only dream of, but I still felt like I wanted to cut his fringe.

The old kitchen now the cafe

 The only place we could take photos inside was the cafe so here is one of the old stoves & implements used to cook for the occupants which could be over 100 at times with all the servants.

Glamis castle

 Driving across the modern Tay Bridge was exciting it is a rather weird looking bridge with a lot of water to cross. The bus was caught in traffic so we had a good look. Pauline our tour guide surprised us with some rather mighty music from star wars perfectly timed to build momentum as we drove across.

The highlight of the Scottish trip for me  – “St Andrews the Home of Golf”.  We visited the famous Royal and ancient clubhouse, the Museum of Golf and the old course then Sharon and I bought some lunch and took off across the path through the golf course in the rain to settle under a shelter and have our lunch and view the crazy golfers teeing off in the pouring rain.  We got some fabulous photos on the famous bridge where Jack Nicolas finished his great golfing career.  

King of Golf

I dream one day of being good enough to hold the cup any cup

I am never going to be as crazy as these people & play in this weather

Crossing the driving range yes Johnny did get a ball in the foot lucky not the head

The famous Bridge at St Andrews

From here we drove south into Edinburgh – Scotland’s capital city. The weather was very wet, cold & windy as we were shown around the town by bus.

That evening we took a tour of Edinburgh’s hidden gems before sitting down to some wholesome Italian food at the waterside restaurant in Leith where we danced and had a few cool drinks listening to a local Ceilidh band.  We retired to the Macdonald Holyrood hotel for the night 

The beautiful lights at the ceilidh

More wine all that dancing makes you thirsty

Our two canadian friends

Leaving for the night wearing the new cardigan it was so cold