We're a fan of transit passes. Going out to the Britannia, which is within range of the city buses, so we buy day passes and head to the waterfront. Recall earlier in the blog that I'd mentioned us meeting a member of the House of Lords? The only thing he really could recommend in Scotland was going to see the Britannia, which was the last in a line of royal yachts. Used mostly by the Queen and her family, it's what Charles & Diana took for their honeymoon. I'd had a vague memory that when Hong Kong was turned over to China years ago that Chris Patten, the UK ambassador, had sailed away on the Britannia. Turns out my recollection was right -- part of the ship's last voyage.
Nice "smaller" yacht -- I'm fascinated by the 400 foot ones that seem to be owned these days by Russian oligarchs. If you're in Edinburgh, it's worth going to see.
We rushed back into town intending to take the train out to St. Andrews for the afternoon, since it's just over a one hour train ride. Quick stop along the way at Jenners, the oldest department store in Scotland, for sandwiches from their food court. Get to the train station and find out that it will cost us over $60 to take the train out, so we abandon the plans and eat our sandwiches in the train station.
Stop to check out the Balmoral Hotel, which is supposed to be the best in the city. We're not impressed. Construction on the streets ALL around. Public rooms in the hotel sterile and not classic. Glad we didn't try to get a room here!
Afternoon Maxine walks the "new" town and I randomly take buses to get more of a view of the city. Thanks for an all day bus pass.
Weather continues to be what can only be described as glorious. Scotland cold and rainy -- NO!
With our continued lack of being impressed with restaurants, we go to the pub across from the hotel for dinner. The Red Squirrel. Good enough.
One other thing. We've been using ATM's for cash in those situations where our credit cards weren't right. We'd noticed that the currency we'd gotten in Scotland was from the Clydesdale Bank! What??? Thought it was all one country??? We ask someone at the hotel. She warns us that she was in London one time and had a difficult time using Scottish currency. Interesting....
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