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Sunday, 27 April 2014

A tourist in my own country


Yesterday, I took a trip to Edinburgh to meet up with my friend Tracey and her family.  We haven't met up for three years but it was just as if we had seen each other yesterday.  I travelled to Edinburgh on the train so arrived at Waverley Station right next to Princes Street Gardens and this fabulous view of Edinburgh Castle.


Tracey and her family were touring the Castle so I headed up there to meet them, it was great to see the trams finally running around the city, although they are only practicing at the moment so run without passengers.  When we were in Dublin we used the trams there and found them simple and to use.

After some lunch we headed back to Waverley Bridge to join one of the tour buses that take you round Edinburgh to see the highlights.  I've done the tour twice before, but there is always something new to see or some different perspective from a new tour guide.  However, the highlight of the trip, apart from meeting up with my friends, was walking up the 247 steps to the top of the Scott Monument.

Scottish National Gallery and The Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is the largest monument to a writer in the world. It commemorates Sir Walter Scott. There are 287 steps to the top of the Scott Monument and they are narrow and spiral, getting narrower as you reach the top!  We reckoned we had earned a cup of tea and a cake which we enjoyed at The Garden Cafe of the Scottish National Gallery. 


We only managed a couple of the many fantastic things there are to do in Edinburgh, but it reminded me how much fun it is to be a tourist in your own country. 



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16 comments:

  1. Heidi Roberts27 April 2014 at 21:17

    Sometimes you have to take a step back and look at your own surroundings, amazing how much we take for granted!

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  2. Lou, Eat Your Veg27 April 2014 at 21:25

    Oh I'd so love to get up to Edinburgh one day soon, such a fabulous and stunning city, I went a few times when I lived in Newcastle but haven't been in probably at least 15 years now. Shame. And it's great to a tourist in your own country sometimes isn't it, and appreciate the wonder that it actually is.

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  3. Catherine27 April 2014 at 21:40

    It is fun to adventure in your own backyard. Beautiful. Blessings, Catherine

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  4. London Unattached27 April 2014 at 22:14

    I love doing the London equivalent. Of course I AM a tourist in Edinburgh and it is no less magical for that!

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  5. Carole27 April 2014 at 22:54

    Janice, lovely post - I haven't been in Scotland since I was a little girl - I need to find a way to get back there. I do remember going to the Tattoo in the castle. Cheers from Carole's Chatter

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  6. Vohn's Vittles27 April 2014 at 23:16

    I was in Edinburgh on Thursday for the first time in ages. It was a beautiful sunny day and I fell in love with our gorgeous city all over again. Glad you enjoyed your day too. x

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  7. Unknown28 April 2014 at 08:10

    I loved these pics on facebook, it's SUCH a great city. I would live in Edinburgh if I could chose another city in the UK... I've had many a glorious night (usually drunk) on those streets... lovely post x

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  8. Craig28 April 2014 at 09:18

    It's such a fun game, playing the tourist - I did it a couple of weekends ago (and I've lived in Edinburgh for years!) The view you get from the Castle still doesn't get old (although the silly sounding bell on the trams definitely does).

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  9. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry28 April 2014 at 10:28

    Ohhhh I spot the red velvet cupcake in there. Yum. I have been to Edinburgh but not enough. Need to go back into the castle.

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  10. Sylvia F.28 April 2014 at 11:59

    I would love to visit Edinburgh, definetely on my bucket list of place to go in UK! Lovely pictures ;)

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  11. Choclette28 April 2014 at 16:22

    Oh so good to see the trams - they are taking their time getting them up and running. It must have been 4 yrs ago I was up there and they were laying the racks in Prince's St then. Love Edinburgh, it's my absolute most favourite city. Used to have family there, but they've very sadly all left Scotland now, so I don't get to visit as much any more. Sounds like you had a good day. And your country is such a fabulous one, why would you want to go anywhere else? Hmm, maybe for a bit of sun.

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  12. Anonymous28 April 2014 at 20:34

    I've only ever had one day at Edinburgh Zoo. I'd love to have a proper visit. I do like doing the visiting thing in London though -there's so much to see and do.

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  13. Traceyr29 April 2014 at 21:29

    Ahhh Janice thanks for mentioning our weekend on your blog. It was great to see you and thanks again for helping us make our trip to Edinburgh, and my first trip to Scotland, a brilliant experience.

    :) x x x

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  14. Alison30 April 2014 at 12:09

    I love doing the tourist thing in the UK. Must go back to Edinburgh soon, there is so much to do there

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  15. Elizabeth30 April 2014 at 15:27

    Being a tourist near where you live can be so much fun. Looks like you had a great time, Edinburgh is a great city. I've only been a few times and we're spending the night there en route to the Lake District this summer. Can't wait!

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  16. Keep Calm and Fanny On30 April 2014 at 18:05

    It's great fun to take the time to enjoy being a tourist sometimes, and fun to read about it too! Edinburgh is a great place ;-) Thanks!

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I love to read your comments and try to reply when I can. I have had to enable comment moderation due to high levels of spam, so it may take a little time before your comment is visible. Please let me know if you make one of my recipes or if you have any questions I will try to answer them. Janice