I had always wanted to travel by train, it seemed very romantic to me. So this week that is one item I can check off my bucket list. The trains we have taken have been generally very nice. After no real train trips, I have now traveled from London to Oxford and back (the first part of the trip within abut 60 minutes of landing in the UK), to Bath, from Bath to Swansea, Wales and today from Swansea to Edinburgh, which was about 8 hours on two different trains. The first part was the better one, we got two sets of seats facing each other with a nice large table in between and could spread out. But all the trains have been quite nice. They seem to run on time, are smooth and travel through a lot of pretty country. At one point I looked up and there was a castle disappearing in the distance. Once we got into Scotland it got quite hilly. Northern England and Scotland in particular are really scenic.
We are in Edinburgh this evening. We walked in a drizzle up the Royal Mile and down George IV Bridge Street to find the Elephant Cafe, where J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book. We were going to eat dinner there but it is kind of small and crowded, so we just looked around then went to another restaurant right on the Royal Mile to eat. Tomorrow we will take a free walking tour of Edinburgh. It is a three hour tour and the city is really hilly -- no, I mean REALLY hilly. So wish me luck, it sounds energetic.
We have walked miles each day, today was our slowest day due to the extended train travel. We probably only walked a couple of miles today, most days have been considerably more than that. I am looking forward to seeing the Edinburgh Castle and many of the other sights. Edinburgh so far seems much older than London. The architecture is Gothic, heavy large darkened stones, lots of stained glass. All very massive and looming. Partly that may have to do with our arriving at dark, and to the rain. But it is very impressive. I suspect that one day is going to give us a very limited look at a city that has a great deal to offer.
The choice on the trip was whether to do one or two things fairly deeply or whether to move around a lot and get a taste of many things. I am glad that we made the choice to at least sample Wales and Scotland, I would have felt somewhat cheated otherwise.
When we get back to London, Gloria plans to take Krista shopping in Covent Garden Saturday afternoon. Sunday Krista leaves for home. I have Monday to do whatever I want, it will be hard to decide. I am thinking about Westminster Abbey and the Wesley Chapel, possibly a quick look at Harrods..... maybe the British Museum which is only a couple of blocks from Gloria's hotel. Then Monday night we are seeing a play, War Horse. It is part of Gloria's program, and I get to go along. Tuesday afternoon Gloria and I plan to go to the Natural History Museum. And Wednesday I come home, hard to believe. It has gone so fast since we have been so very busy.
I have taken around 400 pictures, I will get them on Facebook after I get home, probably not before that. We are using various internet facilities. Tonight we are staying at the Smart City Hostel in the center of Edinburgh, and they have a bunch of computers available (for a fee of course, it is a hostel).
We have been happy with our lodgings, all economy, but really very nice. Our room tonight and tomorrow night has three sets of bunk beds, but just the three of us. I am looking forward to a hot shower and hopefully a good night's sleep. Although jet lag has not been bad, it is at bedtime that I notice it. I have had some trouble sleeping, I think my body is just confused.
More tomorrow if time allows.
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