My 3rd attempt at this blog deleted first one while trying to put photos on*!*!!** Then it crashed!! :<(
Chaotic since yest blog. My plan to get us off highways a huge success. Saw villages, manor houses, huge farms and such lush picturesque countryside,didn't get lost. Delicious pub lunch,I had Haddock cakes,D a ploughmans at Wheatstaff pub at Corbridge near Hadrians wall,which we did get a glimpse of! I got to see ALnwick Castle, used in harry potter movies, didn't quite look the same but was in a beautiful village.
Battled our way into Edinburgh from outskirts,traffic crazy,hundreds of tourist buses and millions of tourists.
Drama drama with our hotel booking not being in system. EIleen and PHils was. After many phone calls by reception staff to our travel agents supplier with nothing resolved and our stress levels up there, we booked last room and just wanted to get to MIlitary Tattoo on time which we did. It WAS amazing. Such an awe inspiring location and so well managed,fitting 3000+ people in very efficiently. Everything about it was superb. Our very own SA Caledonia band was part of the massed band that sounded and looked fantastic!! Attached photo doesn't do it justice. 1 1/2 hours flew by and ended with Lone piper and fantastic fireworks display!!!:-) Long steep walk up and quicker walk down. Very. Late night. All slept in. On the bus for tour and the Her Majesty invited us to Luncheon on Royal Yacht Brittania (well ,we pretended she did) when we had lunch in the tearoom on board,sandwiches,soup and wedges beautifully presented. More touring of this amazingly history steeped city this arvo then back to our lovely new room (they moved us from the 'last resort room we were in last night) to recharge batteries,ours and our cameras,do some washing etc before we go out to battle the crowds and find somewhere for dinner. Until tomorrow,signing off from the George hotel in EDinburgh.
Monday 22nd.Day 6. Edinburgh-Aberdeen
Sorry about 2 day no blog. My Acer tablet 'crashed 'when I tried to load 3 photos onto it so won't be trying that again!! Dave did post a brief one when I was ready to thow tab out the window!!
Will go to hotel business centre and do it from there to load more than 1 photo.
Our last night in Edinburgh saw us walking the streets, finally ending up in Black Rose pub and I had Scottish lamb shanks,very average. Others chose better than me. I ate it because was too tired and hungry to care.
Got on the road to Aberdeen. Drove north to St Andrews where the guys ticked another thing off their 'bucket lists' and walked around an area of the golf course open to the public and would have hit a ball if they had had the gear!! The attached photo is of them standing on site of 'old course' 1st tee. Also walked main street and had cuppa there.
Then drove to Braemar through the Scottish Highlands,bleak,Heather covered with running streams and little settlement.
Stopped at the Tower bakery in Coupar Angus for sausages in a roll and pies for lunch.
Saw a glimpse of Balmoral Castle with Royal Standard flying but couldn't see any more, no wonder Royals love it up there. Such a beautiful place,lush and green ,the River Dee clear and fast flowing,full of trout and Salmon I am sure. Took photos at the well guarded gate,chatted to armed but friendly cop.
Easy drive into Aberdeen and found Hilton Hotel, VERY NICE :-) . Aberdeen very grey looking buildings,seems to be more of a working class town.
Lovely dinner in restaurant, I had salmon, D Fish and crab cakes.
Boys having night cap, girls to finish off blogs. Early night.
More tomorrow.
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