Day 49-51 Scotland

Well once again in catch up mode with the blog page so a quick review of these 3 days.
Day 49
A very early start around 5.30 and left our Rome hotel - said goodbye to Dario and Michael at the airport. (driver and tour director) and headed for our plane. Uneventful flight to London (the best sort) and then on to Edinburgh. Once again uneventful flight (what other sort would you want) - if you wanted any drink or food you had to pay for it!! So eventually touched down in Edinburgh about 4.30 pm. Met Wilson at the airport and then collected our hired car. After some confusion after getting it (an Astra) and trying to find Wilson and Shona in their car - with the rain pelting down with touch of hail (welcome to Scotland) we managed to try and keep in touch on a very busy motorway to his place.
Nice place which although in the city overlooks farm land and a very large hill with golf courses and ski slopes on it - great from a distance until he got us to climb them the next day!!!
All in all a tiring day but did what was intended - off for a good sleep. No photos today!!

Day 50
A very slow start to the day - did washing etc and caught up on emails and the Noslim site (sorry this one got left!!) so didn't do much in morning. In afternoon other freinds of Wilson's arrived and we then went out for a drive showing us some highlights of Edinburgh - cold weather though. Walked up one hill to have a look around from a height.

Was very cold though! But good to get out and about. But essentially a lazy day.

Day 51.

Up to a cloudy and cool day (must be Scotland!). After a relaxing breakfast Wilson took us up the hill we could see opposite his house - fortunately only half way but this was very steep but we got fantastic views - also saw the 2 golf course - both very steep and the ski slope (artificial) they have. Apparently the largest in Britain.
Was certainly very steep hill - glad we didn't head to the top it was a long way up!  (Shona here) It was a LONG WAY anyway!!!!

After saying farewell to our other visitors Jim and Joan and some food we headed off with our tour guide Wilson to see Edinburgh city.

Saw the Palace here

A fascinating web of roads through the old and new city. A town with mostly stone buildings - can look dirty as most of the stones need cleaning but stunning never the less. Lots of large houses and apartments 2 or 3 stories high- and in the old city 4 or 5 stories high.

Visited the parliament and went up the Arthur's Seat - which is a large escarpment that over looks the city.

We saw lots of people around many dressed up and then discovered the World 7's are on this weekend here - we will wait and see until tomorrow if the kiwis win!

We also went to the botanic gardens - very large and impressive - well worth visiting. The azaleas in particular were stunning and vibrant.

We covered many miles with an impressive guide who seemed to know every building and history of it and the people attached to it.

Pleasant tea and off to head south tomorrow to meet up with Wilson's sister.