Edinburgh, Scotland

Saturday, June 28, 08
With some extra time, I have decided to take the 3 3/4 hour train ride, north, to Edinburgh for a day and a half of Scotland. Boarding the train in Peterborough, 8:51, and this train is on time, I work my way through Doncester, York, Durham, Newcastle, along the North Sea to Alnmouth and on into Edinburgh's Waverley Station.
The countryside is mostly flat with trees along roadways, homes and fields of grain.
This is a proper train, quiet, plush, real porta potties. Broken down castles appear here and again with light houses wading into the sea on a spit of land. The clouds are heavy, showers, but no steady rain. The further north we travel, the more the hills roll. Certainly, a civilized look with fence lines and blocks of land. The Sea shimmers in the sunlight. Small towns, churches, long metal and brick bridges and schools, clump along the way.
Across the aisle are 2 very fat Americans overflowing the seats. Also, behind and across are 2 other Americans, a father and daughter from Pennsylvania, here for a fortnight HS graduation present.
Off the train, I walk the several kilometers and eventually, following 4 askings, arrive at the Ascot GH, a three story, 7 bed B&B.
The afternoon and evening are spent at Edinburgh Castle, lunch at The Witchery ( I order a glass of champagne, with my food, to toast the journey), walking the Royal Mile from the Castle to The Palace of Holyroodhouse, flag up indicating a royal present. Hiking up Salisbury Crag to Arthur's Seat, the highest point overlooking Edinburgh, a drizzle starts and then leaves. On the edge of the downpour, which passes to the west, I find my way down the northeast side and back into the city.
One difficulty in walking Edinburgh is that the streets change names - North Bridge becomes South Bridge, Nicolson St, Clerk St... Another example, going east from downtown; Princes St, Waterloo Place, Regent Rd., Montrose Terrace and on.
Dinner is late, and sleep later. The sun sinks, with darkness only fully in place after 11:00.