Edinburgh

Today felt a little off. Larry isn't sleeping much or well at all so he is exhausted. We just can't get enough coffee.

First on our agenda was a bus tour of the city with Davey Macray. What a delightful man! He was born and continues to live in Edinburgh. He is cute, funny and a widower with a grown son.

Single ladies, he would be such a fun catch. He belongs to St. Patrick's parish, which he prefers to the one on NYC because it is much smaller and more intimate. Grandchildren just made a First Communion and a Confirmation there. He has a lovely singing voice, is very knowledgeable (he's been a tour guide here for 30 years), and speaks several languages.

He totally made the tour today. He knows everybody and they know him. It was a great small - town experience in the city.

We drove all around and saw where Robert Louis Stevenson grew up and where Sir James Young Simpson lived who invented Chloroform and forceps for helping ease women's birth pain and make the birthing process easier. It made me remember how a forceps delivery temporarily deformed my poor baby's head.

We toured Edinburgh Castle to where Mary Queen of Scots escaped seeking protection and where she gave birth to her son, James. Her apartment was of reasonable size but would have become chlostrophobic if one couldn't leave. We also saw the crown jewels of Scotland, the crown, scepter and sword locked away for protection in a wooden chest for 111 years.

The Guard was practicing in the Palace (not the castle) and a road leading to it was closed in preparation for the Queen's visit next week.

We saw The Elephant House (cafe and restaurant) where J.K. Rowling first penned Harry Potter. Larry and I tried walking back there but a map we followed had the incorrect address. That sucked because our hips and legs hurt from walking. So we had tea and coffee in Jenners, purported to be the Harrods of Scotland.

We weren't very impressed but then we were sore and cranky so we walked a few more blocks back to our hotel. We took Ibuprofen, put out feet up in our room, and cracked open a couple of Glenlivet nips I bought yesterday.

Beginning our walk we went over and ate lunch at an old place on Rose Street: Nicholson's. I had lamb shank pie and Larry had bangers and mash with a pint of ale each. They were good.

Larry is "resting his eyes" in the chair as I lay on the bed writing. Is that snoring I hear?

We may try venturing back to The Elephant House by taxi for supper later then walk back to the hotel. I'd like to go there being such a Potter fan. We'll see. There are many places closer by.

This is a lovely city nestled beneath a volcano. Who knew?