This morning we decided to test out the washing machine - always a challenge in a strange place. The apartment is fitted out by IKEA, as are many of the Airbnb places we have stayed over the last couple of years. This includes all the white goods here. We managed to sort it, there is no dryer combo so it's not really all that confusing. Though you would expect to find a dryer in a city that rains every day! So now the apartment looks like a laundry.
We walked towards the city centre, stopping for a coffee at Patisserie Florentin . A great coffee and some tempting pastries, but we resisted.
My allergies are still red welts, not sure what is going on, but I've dosed up on antihistamines and will soldier on.
The weather was pretty good for the start of the day, a bit of sun, but still a chill in the air. I wear so many layers now that I'm immune! As we approached the city centre we came to a bank and so I decided to pop in and change my "expired" pounds for some fresh ones. The teller told me I would have to open an account with them to do that, but suggested I tried the post office, just around the corner. We decided not to test the just around the corner and found another bank who were happy to change the money. Thanks Clydesdale Bank!
Our destination was the Scottish National Gallery, on Princes Street. There was a cities architecture display on the outside, with structures you cold walk through. They were very simple, but quite interesting. I think the Edinburgh one was the least interesting.
There are two parts to the gallery, the Academy at the front and the Gallery at the back, which is the free exhibition and where we went . I soon parted with Ken and wandered around on my own while he studied things in way too much detail for me. There are some great pieces of work. I saw two people who weren't quite so interested - they were asleep!
After an hour or so, I ventured back out onto the streets. I didn't have anything in particular to see, just to wander. I walked up and down hills and streets, enjoying being in the city. The pedestrians have no regard for crosswalk lights - if there is no traffic just keep walking. There is not a lot of traffic in the city centre, so it is easy to get around on foot.
The day had started out fine, but the rain started during my afternoon walk and became uncomfortable. It wasn't that cold but trying to sightsee from underneath an umbrella is difficult. It was nearly time to meet Ken so I popped into the art gallery cafe and had a cup of tea. My face was burning with the allergic reaction and when I looked in a mirror I looked a fright. I needed to cleanse, so I went over to Marks and Spenser and trialled their micellar cleanser and a sensitive moisturiser and then a foundation to cover up all that redness! I did buy the foundation, so didn't feel too bad. The store was pretty quiet, I don't think anyone even noticed me going about my ablutions.
I met Ken and it was still drizzling. He had really enjoyed his 4 (!) hours in the galleries. We walked home and rested for a while before hitting the pavement again. This time we explored our neighbourhood. We are staying in St Stephens Place, near the Village of Dean. We went wandering and found ourselves on the Waters of Leith walk. It is a really pretty spot, set down from the street and the houses. A small stream flows through, with wild grass growing around. You feel quite removed from the street above. There were people out walking, exercising their dogs and cricket training in progress on the local oval. We passed the indoor swimming baths, and walked up the snake path, a winding trail linking the two levels of street.
For dinner we went to a Scottish-Italian restaurant we had passed earlier, Papavero. We both had the salmon which was delicious. A short wander home to rest up after a busy day.

Steps 25,170!!!
Kms walked 16.6