If Glasgow was excellent, Edinburgh was magical. We caught the train from Glasgow, with all our gear in tow for an overnight stay in Edinburgh. Walking out of that station was nothing short of amazing. It's like walking back in time into a place so steeped in history it's impossible to take it all in. The old city looked like a painting with the castle looming at it's edges, the backdrop to a bustling city already in full swing for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We were excited and ready for two days of fun and exploring together, me and my love.
We found our lovely hotel right across the road then set out in search of food. We walked through the park set in the valley, green and full of people, lounging and lazing, towards a famous market at the foot of the castle. We love a good market and it was perfect sitting in the castle's shadow eating sausage rolls, raspberries and dark chocolate, listening to the busker and people watching. We carried on, popping into an old book shop and looking at antique treasures and were enjoying ourselves wandering the city so much we ran out of time had to run to get to the show we had booked, an A Capella battle between male and female university groups, but we got there and the show was brilliant. It was just like Pitch Perfect, they did a great job, we laughed and enjoyed the show so much, it was an awesome and fun pick and really got us into the spirit of the festival. We had raced our way up the Royal Mile, so once the show was done we wound our way back down, stopping in at the Harry Potter store, picking up some gifts and Harris Tweed gloves and enjoying the bustle and vibe of the old city.
We decided that night to head out somewhere special for dinner and make a real night of it. We had a little rest at the hotel and got ready and dressed up, then headed out our front door for a ride on the ferris wheel in the park. This was one of those nights I'll never forget. Together and in love, dressed up for a night out and walking hand in hand through the streets of one of the most magical cities I've ever been in. We lined up and had our ride, which gave us sprawling views of the city and that giddy feeling of being up so high. We laughed and held hands and I literally felt on top of the world being there and getting the chance to experience this together. After our ride we made our way out of town to an old manor house, now a gorgeous restaurant and had one of the most beautiful eating experiences of my life. The setting was perfect, the food amazing and the company just right. After four days alone and sometimes together we had both settled more into ourselves, the ones without the pressures of every day life, that have room for new thoughts and ideas and directions and it was wonderful to share and talk and enjoy a perfect night together. At the end of the night we waited out in the cool night air for our uber, looking up at the lovely house and patting the cat that passed by. It's times like that I have to pinch myself at the blessings I am afforded in this life. To know love and family, to be free and have such great and beautiful experiences.
The next morning we got up early and wound our way up to Edinburgh Castle. The city was so quiet and a fog had set in and it was just so nice to meander and have fun along the way. We were close to the front of the line getting into the castle which mean't we got a really nice private viewing of the crown jewels, so huge they hardly seem real, and had lots of room to look through the sites without too many people. The castle is ancient really and you can see the history surrounding you, so much has happened there through the ages and it's a little glimpse into the past. Sadly the view to the ocean was obscured by the fog but otherwise we got to see all of the castles wonders. We booked another show after seeing a poster for 'Austentatious' an impro comedy in the style of Jane Austen, so we made our way there, exploring some different parts of the old city and stopping to enjoy a drink and some treats on the way. We got the show which started by asking people made up book titles for the unknown works of Jane Austen. They chose one about fakes news and set off into the most impressive improv I have ever seen, based on a goat scandal, the show was so hilarious our stomachs hurt from laughing so much. I'd see it again and again, the actors were so impressive and we had such a good time We would love to go back during the Fringe Festival, the shows we saw really were that good. With our short time in Edinburgh coming to a close, we sat and ate lunch and then found found a spot in the park to eat icecream, relax and reflected on the perfect two days we just had. What a joy to be in such a city! We had such a wonderful time and I'm so glad the stars aligned for us to be there together.
My darling Levi gave up his business class seats for me to have the experience on the way home and I can tell you, I'm not sure I can ever go back! It was a lovely end to a perfect five days in Scotland with my darling husband and knowing I had three little beautiful faces to return too made my heart sing.
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