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Well, it has been a while.
Lets start Nov 18, when I went to Edinburgh. Arrived there about 3 in the arvo, followed by a trip to the hostel in the dark (becuase thats when it gets dark), also accompanied by Beth and her lack of sense of directions. So, eventually got to the hostel, and it was cool. Right on the Royal Mile, and everyone there was real friendly. Also discovered a free walking tour which left the next day.
So, next day. Went on the free walking Tour, which was awesome. took us everywhere. Up to the Castle, and down into Old Town, and the places where the burnt witches, and all this stuff. Being a Harry Potter fan, the guide showed me the sites, just like anywhere esle in Britain, they were there. There was the Castle that inspired Hogwarts, prety cool place. And also the Cafe where JK wrote the novel. Yes i got a photo, it is called The Elephant. Also she lives in Edinburgh, but the tuor guide didnt know where, and yes I asked. So wandered all around, down to Princes St Garden and over to the New Town, also up the hill there, where we looked out over the bay, known as the Firth of Forth (I think). That afternoon, after our walking tour, went on the Scotch Whiskey Experience, and it was not that good, redemmed itself with a free glass of whiskey (where we got to keep the glass) and then this really cheesy 'barrel ride', where you sit in a barrel and go through the history of whiskey. Trust me, not that exciting. Plus the effect of the free whiskey, was kinda hindering my ability to concenrate on the history of the fine drink. Other than that it was quite enjoyable. That was followed by a short shopping trip, and the booking of a tour, which takes place tomorrow.
So, tomorrow, and the Tour. Booked a Highland Day Tour. Left round 8, little early, but it was cool. Pretty much sat on a bus all day, as we made short stops around Scotland. First stop Killmahogg, where there is a Highland Cow, and yes i got a photo, and yes i got a shirt. Next stop Glen Coe, where I there was a massacre of these two clans, a while ago (and by a while I mean about 100 years I think). Our guide was slightly sketchy on details, as we began to realise at this stage. Next stop, was a tourist stop just below Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Britian. Unfortunately the British weather made it impossible to see any of it. The Tourist stop, was... lovely. And because I am me, I made friends with some oldies... it was wonderful. Next stop, Urquhart Castle, on the shores of Loch Ness. Way cool place. A short look around the castle, and a video on its gruesome and wonderful history, was followed by a boat ride on the Loch itself. Unfortunately, no monsters were seen, although the weather being disgusting, may have hindered Nessies apperaance. From there it was a 6 hour drive back to Edinburgh, in the dark, so not much happened, apart from a stop in a deserted town that Queen Victoria once visited and is therefore a 'Victorian Town'. On returning to Edinburgh, we collected our belongings, and caught the next train to Glasgow, arriving around 11 to a deserted 'party hostel', where we immediately crashed. Read on for Glasgow.
Well, Glasgow, the 7 blocks, two tube stations, and two train staions I saw, were wonderful, however that being all that I saw, I feel that I cannot share a judgment of the city. The train left round midday for Carlisle, the home of my paternal Aunt, who little did I know is a local MP. Suffice to say, we had a tour of the local chambers, including an awesome Dickensian Court Chamber. Helen (my aunt) then took us to here house in Brampton, where we (wonderfully) drank sherry by a roaring fire as it rained outside.
Unfortunately this rain, made the next days plans, kind of uncomfortable. A trip out to Hardrians Wall, was wonderful. In particular seeing a Roman Fort, known as Housesteads. The weather made this trip onto the ridge kind of uncomfortable, as it was windy, and for the first time since I've been in Britain, below zero.
The next day, involved discovering long lost family, in the form of my Great Aunt Dorothy, and my explorer-second-cousin (who is some sort of local hereo) and his wife. After morning tea, they drove us to Newcastle, where we spend the next two days. That afternoon howveer we did some sight seeing, seeing the first of many ruins and forts (where again my camera broke, and there may have been some expletives, before i realised it was merely the battery)
The next day, we trekked out to the coast, after I realises I hadnt seen the beach since May, when I was in LA. The weather of days previously should have warned us, and we went only to discover it was freezing, and kind of dull there. But the next stop Tynemouth, was better. At the Metro Station there, there was an Antuque Fair where I bought some books, and then we walked to that beach. There was a nice ruin there, as there is in most places around here, and a nice view of the ocean. From there it was a simple train ride back, and then dinner was made, and sleeping involved.
This day being Sunday, was when I was expected home to Fulham, in time to start work at 7.30 am, the following morning. As i am quite cheap, the way home involved a £8, 6 hour bus ride from Newcastle to London Victoria. But because the cheapest fare, was not the earliest, today also involved a whole lot of sitting rount at train stations, and then in Starbucks, while I finished my book.
Finally arrived home, round 9, only to crash and watch TV. But it was a wonderful end to a week of exhaustion. Stay tuned for Austria, beginning on Friday.
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