Well we are FINALLY in Scotland!!!!  We had a slight delay flying out of STL--got to Newark in time for a late lunch then had to wait until our flight at 10 p.m.  Another delay occurred, then we are finally on the plane--they had just started talking to us about dinner when the pilot said the computer wasn't working and we sat for a while on the runway, then they had to taxi back and we had to deplane.  EEK!  With dinner voucher in hand (a big $6 when everything still open starts at $10) we headed to the Organic Grille.  We finally got back on our flight about 1:30 a.m. and were we ever exhausted.  But--not letting us sleep they handed out dinner (mine was supposed to be Indian food--but was it ever nasty--I don't think sitting for all those hours helped the taste, etc.).  Then cramped in like sardines we slept until the a.m. when breakfast arrived and finally we landed in Edinburgh (now at 2 p.m. instead of 9 a.m.).  Poor Sandy had been waiting in the airport since about 8:30 this a.m. as she had flown up from London to meet us.  Once we met Sandy, and picked up our luggage we caught a taxi and headed to the Craigmoss Guesthouse which was built about 1901 in an area of Edinburgh called Leith.  The rooms are small but clean--Sandy and Dennis are on the 2nd floor and Mike and I are on the 3rd.  We were supposed to be en suite but we ended up with a private bath (long story) across the corridor--which  works o.k. although walking out into a public area at night is different--just hope I don't forget the key and get locked out! :)

   Once we had dropped our luggage in our room we walked to Newhaven harbor so we could see some of Edinburgh. Then we stopped for dinner at Loch Fyne seafood restaurant where we had marvelous seafood (salmon, hake, seabass).  Apparently Scotland is known for its seafood--I imagine the reason is so much of it is close to the sea. Sandy and Dennis decided to also share a dessert, Mike wanted a Scotch and I ordered a glass of Drambuie. Everyone's items came except for mine, they told me mine would take a little longer as they were making it--we wondered why that was? Don't you just open a bottle and pour? Well the problem was language--they brought me a creme brûlée instead of a Drambuie! No wonder it took longer--we laughed and laughed--I, of course, ate the delicious creme brûlée!

   Then we caught a bus back to our guest house, as walking down hill for several miles is okay but walking up-hill, not so much, especially after the LONG day we have had.  One great thing is the bus stops right across the street from our guesthouse. That is a real perk!  After leaving Sandy and Dennis in their room, Mike and I headed out to explore in the opposite direction. We found the Leith Walk and the correct way to get to the Royal Yacht Britannia (but sadly we were too tired to walk all the way there and it was getting chilly). This is the yacht that Britain's royal family used for more than 40 years which was retired in 1997 and permanently moored in the port of Leith.  

   By the time we walked back to our guest house we were tired and cold. Long sleeves and a jacket at night is de rigeur for June in Scotland it seems. And so when we went to bed we went to sleep under a down comforter!  How strange for May!  But we are so excited about being in Scotland and our trip has just begun!