Day Ten

View from the top of Arthur's Seat
Holyroodhouse on our way back from Arthur's Seat
Holyroodhouse with Greek-style pillars in the background
One of Tine's favourite street musicians. We even bought his album!
The last meal together (sob!)

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Day Ten(T):

Dave & I were first to leave the Big Brother House today for a change - not that we'd been evicted though, but because we were lucky with the bathroom! So we set off down the Royal Mile (again!) this time to aim for the foot of Arthur's Seat hill, and perhaps climb to the top... When we started the climb, we weren't too sure we'd make it to the top as it looked quite a hike and it was threatening to rain. However, very proud to say we made it and we escaped the shower until we got back to Holyroodhouse where we tried to shelter under the trees for a wee while. (Notice I'm already under the Scots' influence!) Anyway, the views from the top were very impressive on all sides. Unfortunately the light was not good, very grey and miserable, but Dave still tried to take a few photos. We walked back quite briskly in the hope of avoiding the rain and the promise of a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Though not very successful at the keeping dry bit, we sat in a friendly little café and enjoyed coffee, panini and caramel slice: just the job before tackling our tour of Mary King's Close. But I'll let Dave tell you about it ...

Day Ten (D):

Possibly the high spot of our stay in Edinburgh (for us) was our visit to Mary King's Close where you descend (literally) to the depths of Edinburgh to see the tenement housing which dates back to the 17th Century when the Great Plague was rife. Our guide was Janet King, Mary's daughter, and she did an excellent job, keeping in role and frightening on or two of our group. Highly recommended!

Day Ten (L):

Jim & I set off for the Guilded Ballroom to investigate 'The Guardian Podcast' which was excellent, Miles Jupp interviewing four acts. We then sauntered down and called into 'The Elephant Café' of J.K.Rowling fame, and had cake and tea for lunch! I had really wanted to see 'The Withering', a new play based on Thomas Hardy's short story, so we made our way to the Quaker Meeting House. We were not disappointed, an excellent production by a young London-based drama school. By then it was time to meet up with everyone for an end-of-hols meal at Maxie's. It was great to enjoy a good laugh together: the haggis was good too! Our finale followed - up to the Assembly rooms to see Balé de Rua, a Brazilian dance group (a marvellously energetic group) and then Jason Byrne!!!

Day Ten (J):

After Jason Byrne we decided as a group to visit the Abernach, a pub we had all decided served an excellent pint of 80/-. Earlier during their stay Dave and Martine had visited the pub to check if the brew was ok. The previous day George & ! also checked the 80/- to ensure that the brew was suitable for a group visit. I reminded Martine to be tolerant with Dave during his second pint in a short time, that this would be his last pub session for quite some while!

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More photos on http://picasaweb.google.com/PapamanPicasa/4GoToScotlandDay10