When my friend Donna from work invited me to join her in Edinburgh, I jumped at the chance (well, did a little skip. I don't think its possible to be airborne at 6.5 months pregnant!) My grandfather had been born in Scotland and its lore looomed large in my mind. And unlike some places that I come to with high expectations, Edinburgh did not dissapoint. I will admit that weather has a huge impact on my ability to appreciate a place, and surprisingly for Scotland, our weather was perfect: crisp fall days with orange leaves dancing against a blue, blue sky. It did rain just enough to give me a feel for it, and while the city was certainly greyer, I found it no less charming. I noted that the stone used throughout Edinburgh's building is grey compared to teh creamy hue favored in Paris (or perhaps it just needed a good wash?) but overall the city reminded me of its emblem, the thistle: a beautiful, approachable centre set amongst thorny crags.
It certainly is different travelling with a girlfriend than my husband. While I adore travelling with Greg, I certainly get to shop more with a friend! Donna indulged my desire for comfy 
Clark's boots, and we hit most of the other big name stores as well. Tea at Debenham's and a pedicure at Jenner's rounded out a thoroughly hedonistic day! We did get a bit of culture in by visiting an Impressionist Garden exhibit on at the Royal Gallery, which was very good. Funny that I went to Edinburgh to see artists from Paris..... I also must mention specially that pedicure, which was done quite differently than in Canada. My esthetician a sweet young thing named Jessica, explained that usually they do a pedicure lying down (how??) but since I was pregnant she put me in a chair (good call). However they had no equipment to allow her to work on my feet this way, so she sat on the floor, bless her heart! Normally, they are not permitted to trim toenails, but she took pity on the state of my feet (which I can no longer reach) and did them anyhow.
Clark's boots, and we hit most of the other big name stores as well. Tea at Debenham's and a pedicure at Jenner's rounded out a thoroughly hedonistic day! We did get a bit of culture in by visiting an Impressionist Garden exhibit on at the Royal Gallery, which was very good. Funny that I went to Edinburgh to see artists from Paris..... I also must mention specially that pedicure, which was done quite differently than in Canada. My esthetician a sweet young thing named Jessica, explained that usually they do a pedicure lying down (how??) but since I was pregnant she put me in a chair (good call). However they had no equipment to allow her to work on my feet this way, so she sat on the floor, bless her heart! Normally, they are not permitted to trim toenails, but she took pity on the state of my feet (which I can no longer reach) and did them anyhow.After a filling Scottish venison stew for dinner, we went back to our lovely B&B to watch English TV, woohoo!
The next morning, I tried porridge and haggis for breakfast. I actually like haggis: its quite rich, but verra tasty, and the oatmeal mixed in with the ground meat gives it nice texture. As I had gotten to do all the things on my list the day before, this day was for Donna, and she likes taking 
pictures! It was a rainy morning, but undaunted, we and our umbrellas headed to Edinburgh castle for a dose of history. I learned that the 'crag' where the castle is situated has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and is the place from which poor Mary Stuart began her demise. I saw the room where James the 7th (to become James 1st of England and Scotland) was born as well as the chapel that Queen Margaret prayed in (she later was canonized a saint). Since Mary's time, the castle has been primarily used for military purposes so there was a great deal of military history as well. There is even a tiny graveyard for all the regiment mascots who have died over the years!
pictures! It was a rainy morning, but undaunted, we and our umbrellas headed to Edinburgh castle for a dose of history. I learned that the 'crag' where the castle is situated has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and is the place from which poor Mary Stuart began her demise. I saw the room where James the 7th (to become James 1st of England and Scotland) was born as well as the chapel that Queen Margaret prayed in (she later was canonized a saint). Since Mary's time, the castle has been primarily used for military purposes so there was a great deal of military history as well. There is even a tiny graveyard for all the regiment mascots who have died over the years! We then walked the Royal Mile and bought cashmere for everyone back home (oh Ok, some for me too:) I then needed a nap, and Donna carried on taking more pictures (by this point I had dropped my camera, so its a good thing she did take lots!) That night we took in the movie Eat, Pray, Love, a suitably 'chicky' way to end the day.
Our last half day was another bright clear one, so I took the chance to climb nearby Collton Hill which sits opposite the Castle. It was a slow climb for one pregnant lady, and one lady with bum knees, but we made it and the view was totally worth it. We could see to the ocean on one side, and admire Edinburgh Castle and the city's other landmarks from the other. It was a fitting end to a wonderful weekend, which left me, yet again, saying 'when can I come back?'.
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