Lazy start to the day, vibered Sherben & kids and caught up on home news. Then Kevin tracked the rugby with a blog/chat site on the iPad and I finished yesterday’s blog. 10.45am we crossed our street (the Royal Mile) and waited for the bus. Saw it coming so busied ourselves getting our correct change together - and ............??  he drove right past! we're very slow learners, you have to flag them down! Anyway, the next one that came told us we needed a No 35.

3 buses later, it was a lady driver, she directed us to Grassmarket where we got off, and we still did get a bit lost until I remembered to use my phone. Kahn, that's when we found the tiny cafe on wheels  for you, he had every thing neatly arranged at his fingertips, we instantly thought of you and your chip wagon.

The Grassmarket - so called for the past 500+ years “Originally a marketplace for horse and cattle from the 14th century right up until the early 19th century, the Grassmarket was also renowned for its public executions. Known as one of the poorer parts of the capital it was associated with early 19th century immigrants from Ireland.” There were  heaps of market stalls, food, cheeses, produce and fruit & veg. AND a nice trader who had a beautiful Edinburgh crystal Whisky decanter - for £14 we just couldn’t leave it there. Kevin has managed to lug it around in his back pack all day. It has the most sparkling colours in the sunlight - and is lead heavy,, you will totally approve and understand Mum.

It was a steep climb up a series of steps to the castle from Grassmarket, - got the heart rate up.

I found the Castle disappointing. It wasn’t what I expected. It’s soooo commercialised. Tourists everywhere accidentally bumping, pushing & shoving - we did our share too. The only queue was for the Crown Jewels, which we did. It’s not what I call a castle, more an array of buildings, none imposing or breath taking individually,  it’s only at a distance when you see them (from every point in the city), all grouped and confirmed atop the rock, that it’s fearsomely dominating. More of a village square. It just didn’t impress me. But we did spend 3 hrs there. 

The prison, this was probably the most enlightening part of the fortress. Real dungeons, dank and smelly. Nigel Ogle could have a field day here and improve it 200%, (in the “castle” were some dioramas, only they were little paper cutouts, not a patch on Nigel’s - could be a commission there for him!). [those of you unfamiliar with Nigel Ogle google: https://www.tawhitimuseum.co.nz/]  The 1 o’clock gun had been moved due to the Tattoo fireworks needing that area, but we found it & stood awaiting the countdown - along with hundreds of others, cell phone held high, like everyone else, battery draining, waiting, waiting, the great boom, smoke and paper drifts - like a gigantic fireworks . ......... and .........  NOTHING, I HADN’T PUSHED START 

My rating/summary: if you were pressed for time, I think I’d do a local bus to a seaside village and read about the Castle on the net.

Back on the Royal Mile we tried a Scottish ice cream, was like whipped condensed milk, nothing cool, melting or soothing on a hot day (which it was, forgot to mention, it was a stunning day ALL day). Our NZ ice cream cannot be beaten. 

Heaps of street entertainment again - last day, but just too many people for us. We drifted into a pub for a beer for Kevin & a half cider for me (clarifying here Vicki - no snakebites yet!), the cider here would be the tartest, most apple-ish I have ever tasted -sour.

Back here by 4.30, just relaxed, watched the news & the crowds go past and were in bed by 8pm -shattered. Holyrood Palace has to be tomorrow.

Ive just edited this thru and thought it sounded very critical and negative, not meant to be, we had a fabulous day, lots of laughs - most on ourselves as usual!