The curse of the restoration pixies continues...

Hi from Edinburgh.... I just decided to come north for the weekend, and see Scotland. I am so glad I did. Of course, all the main attractions are being renovated (just like everywhere else I go!) - so I need to rely on postcards for the best vistas.

(I am thinking of contracting out my services - are you having trouble getting the council to fix something in your community? Need work done quickly? Why, just ask me to plan a tour there, and some workmen will magically appear with cranes and scaffolding.)

Anyway, the overnight train ride was a cold introduction to this part of the world - it was simply freezing all night. The only parts of me that weren't affected were my merino-clad footsies (Thanks Mrs C!).

Arriving at 7:30am I was worried how I would fill in the time before the Edinburgh Castle opened at half nine. Fear not... a shambolic hostel with highly unsecure storage, plenty of 'long-term' tourists (i.e. dodgy boarders) in a nasty part of the city did not my confidence build - so I spent the morning trying to find somewhere to stay, and just said yes to the first place that looked well cared for.

After that I started exploring. I think Edinburgh is lovely. It is a gently interesting city, and the history is evident everywhere. I thought the Castle was quite fun, but I much more enjoyed walking in the autumnal gardens along Princes Street. The comparison with Dunedin is really easy to make, as the architecture and even the colours of the buildings were sending me back in time to 1997 (when I lived in Dunners, for those readers who don't know that I did).

I took the oft-plodded tourist walk from the Castle down Royal Mile to Holyrood House, which is the Queen's office in Scotland (Balmoral is her country house). I think I have a thing for palaces, as this wasn't so different from Buckingham Palace, but I loved every minute of it.

After that I explored an entire block of charity shops (I call it Heaven Street!) and found a few things I liked.... and lo and behold, someone was able to direct me to an even better spot near the old GrassMarket. By the end I had several sewing projects for the long winter nights ahead....

I then walked a bit more, and decided at the last minute against the National Gallery of Scotland, the Academy and associated arty things. I have a feeling I will be back in Edinburgh again one day, and it is a small enough city I don't want to do everything in one stay.

For that reason, I am getting into the countryside tomorrow with a trip to.... Loch Ness!!!!!! I didn't realise it was close enough, and am very excited. So, hope to share some Highlands adventures soon.

(Oh, will post photos when I get back to London.)