Up on the parapet

A scrumptious breakfast in the White Lady kicked the day off with a great start. Hopefully Brexit won't stop the locals from consuming international cuisine such as Eggs Benedict. Whilst the four us spent most of the day playing tourist there was an underlying theme of obtaining a SIM card for local access. Needed a Tesco ( as one does when in the UK). Up to the centre of town (Waverly) to get our hoponhopoff passes and then hopped on the green bus for a verbal description of the points of interest on the twisting (and sometimes retraced route. Hopping off up near the top of the volcanic plug on which the castle resides we blended in and thus became part of the milling throng of tourists who were all there to do exactly the same as us. Wondering how much it would cost to actually get the bagpipes to shut up instead of encouraging them to continue we strolled through the middle of the Tattoo stadium where the workmen were sitting around obviously content in knowing that by the time they'd spent months pulling down the temporary seats they could have a quiet month of R & R in (say) the Bahamas and then come back and put them up again for next year's event. Maybe it's this kind of situation that inspires the pipes compositions... Once we toiled up the hill we spent a few very interesting hours exploring the structures, the history and thus some of the culture of the country. We were there for the one o'clock salute which was remarkable in that is was a dull (yet moving) thump but the echoes that came back were seriously shot like. Luckily for the people in Lieth these artillery men are like a specific demographic - which always fire blanks. During all these shenanigans the rain started in earnest.

Downstairs we indulged in lunch at Maggie Dicksons - served by a couple of young touring Aussies. Apparently Maggie came back to life after being hanged and went on to lead a fullfilling life. Had she had known that 300 years later her legacy would result in facilitating this annoying people's relentless journeys around the globe she may have relaxed a little more on gallows. Following a great midday repleshment we trod off through the pouring rain on the search for SIM bearing Tesco's. No luck so it was back on the hoponhopoff bus to get off the plug and eventually we did hunt down one of shops. So much effort for such a little piece of plastic. Taking the bus to the limits we alighted and then headup up (one of many) stair cases to the old town again. Then ensued a fruitless hunt for a subterranean city. At least it gave us a focus to while away the minutes in preparation for the next session. Pre's in the Albanach (lots-o-fun) followed by dinner at another Italian eatery. A very unique constantly nut munching taxi driver got us home safely enough. Followed by a dram nightcap back at the lady was a fitting end to an awesome day.