My Journey: Edinburgh

I was meet at the train station by Isobel and we rode in a double-decker bus to their house (Bert and Isobel). Bert is my 3rd cousin once removed. I love double-decker buses. I cannot tell you why, but I enjoy looking at them, taking pictures, and riding in the upper deck.

Here is a picture of going to the city centre of Edinburgh.

Might have been taken on another ride to the city centre.

On High Street looking toward the water.

Heart of Midlothain - "The heart-shaped design of the cobble stones near St Giles Cathedral marks where the entrance to the Tolbooth used to be located. The Tolbooth was originally set up in 1561, as the name implies, to collect tolls but also became used as a prison after 1640. There was also a scaffold for hanging criminals (and others) and the heads of the more famous victims would be displayed on spikes in the face of the building. The Tolbooth was demolished in 1817.

Perhaps as a sign of disrespect to the town council, it became common for passsers-by to spit on the cobble stone design. While this is not encouraged these days, it is wise to give the emblem a wide berth when walking past - just in case!"

Isobel took me on a tour to the St. Giles Cathedral, The Heart of Midlothain, and other things on High Street.

Taken on one of our many drives.

A distance view of Dalkeith where my family lives and Edinburgh.

Greyfrair's Bobby was a dog "was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th-century Edinburgh for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, John Gray (Old Jock), until he died himself on 14 January 1872.^[1] A year later, Lady Burdett-Coutts had a statue and fountain erected at the southern end of the George IV Bridge to commemorate him." (wikipedia.com)

Also in the Greyfrair's grounds is a grave stone that may have been seen by JK Rowling. If you can't see it says "to the memory of Thomas Riddell Esq. of Befsborough, in the County of [...]" then it states" ALSO of Thomas Riddell Esq. his Son. Captian [...]." If you are a Harry Potter fan you know the Voldemort real name was Tom Riddle and his father's name was also Tom Riddle. I don't know if JK Rowling saw it, but a lot of people come and visit the grave stone.

Looking at the Edinburgh Castle.

A picture of me in West Garden Cottages and the camera is facing Princes Street.

Here with the family not including Bert, left to right Suzy, Chris, Me, Isobel, and Christopher's wife Ashley.

My 4th cousins once removed from right to left Susan, Me, Christopher.

Myself and Bert(3rd cousin once removed) at dinner one night.

It was great to see family, I have meet Bert and Isobel when they came to the states. I really appreciate their kindness. Also the kindness of their children who took me to my first experience of Indian food (which was really good), a movie(one of the Pirate of the Caribbean), and Britannia yacht(the royals use to use it).

At some point I went to Camera Obscura and World Illusion on Castlehill which runs right in to High Street. I took many pictures and I had a fun time. The one thing that was cool was the transform your face.