Today’s guest picture comes from Bruce’s holiday on Arran. He saw not only good views but some mighty fine rose hips.
A brief report today as we have had another long day in Edinburgh. This time we were visiting Matilda and her parents and we caught an early train and walked up Cockburn Street from the station…
…where we found a quiet pub and had lunch.
It was my intention to go up to the High Street after lunch and observe some of the fun and games there in connection with Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The city fathers close the High Street to traffic and all sort of street performances take place.
Unfortunately, several thousand other people had had the same idea and it was so crowded that we soon gave up and walked quietly down the high Street into the Canongate.
We couldn’t help noticing that unique taste of Scotland that the visitors come to Edinburgh to enjoy as we went along.
We peeped into the White Horse Close which does give a taste of Old Edinburgh.
When we got to the Scottish Parliament at the foot of the Royal Mile, I glanced up at Arthur’s Seat…
…and thought that it looked a bit like our bird feeder on a busy day. I just hoped that there wasn’t any siskin-like pushing and shoving on the top as it is very steep.
We passed the old Calton Graveyard…
…and soon found ourselves at Matilda’s.
We briefly met her other grandparents before they went off to a show and then while her parents talked house buying business with an adviser, we took Matilda on the bus to Portobello beach…
…Edinburgh’s riviera.
Matilda was very excited to see a swan swimming in the sea…
…and as always, I enjoyed the characteristic shape of North Berwick Law further down the coast.
We could look across the Forth to the Fife shore and imagine that we could see our older son’s house there. We stood there last week and looked back to where we were now.
It wasn’t particularly warm but people were having fun in a subdued sort of way…
…and I rolled up my trouser legs and ventured into the water for a paddle with Matilda. I could swear that it was colder in the sea today than when we were paddling at North Berwick in May but that must just have been my imagination.
Some gulls looked on…
…and a brave paddle boarder kept his feet well out of the water as he passed along the beach.
Mrs Tootlepedal and Matilda put a lot of effort into building a sand car and Matilda jumped in and announced that she was going to drive to America to see Mr Trump.
We stopped her just in time.
Mrs Tootlepedal saw a lady bird on a piece of wood and Matilda was very happy when it crawled onto her arm and wandered about.
The sun stayed behind some clouds so we adjourned to a beach side cafe and had cakes and ice cream and then caught the bus home.
Once there we offered a helping hand to Matilda’s parents. Mrs Tootlepedal did some indoor tidying as they are preparing to sell their house and it needs to be got ready for viewing and I did some lawn care with the same thought in mind.
Then we had pizza for tea and caught the train home.
There was no time for a flying bird of flower of the day today.
Sounds like a wonderful day, particularly the Edinburgh Riviera part. It must be nice to live in a world where Mr Trump is much the same as Mr Bump and Mr Tickle.
A very fair observation. Matilda does take you away from the cares of the world.
Even at second hand, it cheered me up for a moment.
Good.
I doubt she’d like Mr Trump very much. Good thing you stopped her.
It was interesting to get a new perspective on your son’s new home.
I hope Matilda was going to give Mr, Trump a good talking to rather than a pat on the back.
Interesting that your sons can see each other across the sea. It brings all sorts of nighttime light flashing possibilities to mind.
You saw some great scenery. I like the city photos,
I would have liked to have had more time and space to enjoy the festival fun in Edinburgh
What first class grandparents you both are, lucky Matilda.
That sounds like a very successful outing. Much enjoyed the Portobello pictures.
Sweet Matilda! She could teach Trump a thing or two. And what a beautiful, beautiful city!
Your great photos give a quick taster of life living in and near Edinburgh…what a lovely place it is. Like the flying lady bird of the day.
White Horse Close looks charming – I doubt that I could afford even the property taxes! Matilda vs La Donald – he doesn’t stand a chance.
Right on both counts
A sand car! What fun!😊
It had two white shells for headlights.
I love these looks at the City of Edinburgh, as you show us the sights not seen from other sources. It’s too bad that the festival was so crowded, but that’s the way it goes. I spent most of my day fighting crowds Thursday, so I know why you skipped the festival.
The top of Srthur’s seat was most impressive for me. They must have been queueing up to get to the top.
I am happy you stopped Matilda’s plan just in time 🙂
An ice cream was a sufficient diversion.
A sand car and a planned visit to Trump! Matilda has a great imagination. 🙂
I don’t know where that idea came from.
The lady bird (or lady bug as we call it) did just fine as a substitute for the flying bird.
I’m glad you managed to stop Matilda from making such a long trip. I personally wouldn’t cross the street to see him.
I think that she wanted to have words with him.
I have a few words for him too, but none I could repeat here.
Glad you stopped Matilda from visiting Trump. I wonder what she was going to say to him. Out of the mouths of babes!
We didn’t get as far as finding that out but it looked as though it might be a good telling off.