Edinburgh

 A Touristy day today enjoying a sunshiny day in picturesque Edinburgh.

I caught the bus to the city to join my Free Walking Tour. As usual, an enthusiastic knowledgeable host told fabulous tales as we explored much of the Royal Mile

, St Giles Church (where the Queen laid in state for 5 days before being transferred to England for the funeral)

the Market Hall

, Colourful Victoria Street

, Greyfriars church and cemetery which was built to cope with the deaths during The Plague, “Bobby” the famous dog that faithfully stayed in the graveyard where its owner was a guard, and was cared for by the city for 14 more years till his death.

After the tour I treated myself to a gelati

and then walked to Edinburgh Castle,

fully sold out today and so watched the changing of the guard, looked at the views and then walked down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace (closed for the weekend as Royals staying),

viewed the controversially modern new concrete House of Parliament  

Such a beautiful day that Holyrood gardens and “Arthur's Seat” were calling to me. I climbed up the rocky path through gorse bushes to the top with 360 degree views of Edinburgh to the port, the Castle and Palace, the mountains and the coastline. Hundreds all sitting and chatting, picnicking and enjoying the spring sunshine. The views descending so pretty through the flowers to the sea.

Then met up with Marion and Eric for dinner on the Royal Mile.

A relaxing day and thoroughly enjoyed exploring this city with its cobble stones and the sounds of bagpipes ringing through the streets.  

Finished feeding the local foxes with Marion.

Top day.