We’ve just had a power outage here at the hostel that’s lasted more than 12 hours,so we’re a little later today.
Here’s another picture of the posh lounge. We spent a little time there this morning. Notice young people sleeping on the couches. Very posh indeed. And take a peek into the computer room. Aren’t those chairs cool!
They do a very good job of keeping things clean here. There are lots of activities for those not otherwise engaged. I’d recommend the Castle Rock as a cheap option in an otherwise expensive city.
I was taking a picture of DH in front of this store and the clerk popped into view to get into the shot. Nice people here. They have thousands of tourists and know how to deal with them.
This is Princes Street. I went into a shop there and bought a book by Ian Rankin. He sets his mysteries in Edinburgh. The clerks there said yes, the shop used to be Book World. I told them my daughter met her future husband there, and they said that must have been a very long time ago.
We hiked up Calton Hill. Amazing views from there.
This is a monument to Admiral Nelson. It can be seen from the harbour. The Parthenon looking building is the National Monument of Scotland to honour soldiers and sailors who died in the Napoleonic wars. They ran out of money shortly after they started building it and it was never completed so it’s now nicknamed Scotland’s Disgrace or Edinburgh’s Folly. People love it though. Everywhere you look someone is taking a selfie.
Purple flowers all over. They’re beautiful!
Next we went to an old cemetery. We found David Hume (in the round building) and that’s Abraham Lincoln in green. Up the Royal Mile later we rubbed David Hume’s toe for luck.
We had a tea break at John Knox’s house and, while there, about a thousand people carrying EU flags marched down the Royal Mile. They had signs that were not very flattering to Boris Johnson. We love a good political rally and we caught up with them at the new parliament buildings.
These are the parliament buildings. We went inside for a tour. Beautiful place with all the new modern technical advantages.
Next we toured Holyrood Palace, the old abbey and the gardens. They didn’t allow photography inside. Really good tour and there’s a new section about Harry and Meghan’s wedding. Pretty swank digs, though not quite as posh as Buckingham.
Lunch at the Palace Cafe with more purple flowers. I don’t think Bess was in town or she would have said hello.
We walked back up the Royal Mile and explored and shopped. 
After a short nap we descended a long flight of stairs and were deposited onto Haymarket Street, an energetic restaurant and bar area. Already, there was a lot of partying going on. We found a small Sainsbury’s and got lost, and then found, on our way to a yummy fish and chips with beer dinner, with a fantastic view and friendly table neighbours.
I hope your day was good too.
Keep smiling, even when your feet hurt.
Wandering 