Water of Leith

Today we went into Edinburgh on the train.  I have yet to try driving over the bridge – I know I will have to do it at some point when I want to go south, but I can’t say I am looking forward to it – not the crossing itself, but the exciting part when all the motorways merge and cross.  It is strange what bothers different people – R hates driving in town centres and I hate fast moving roundabouts and merging roads.

Anyway train is always best for the city centre and today we got off at Haymarket and walked down by the side of the river to Leith.  It was a truly lovely day although too hot for R who insisted on wearing a hoodie with the hood up over a hat to protect him from the sun.  It made him look as though he was on his way to rob a bank or perform at a rap concert – or perhaps both.

The walkway is always lovely, though today the part to Stockbridge was very busy with tourists.  There were nice views and some fantastic buildings.

Obviously a bit of civic pride as well – fair enough as this is about the most expensive part of Scotland to live (sorry St Andrews)

We saw ducks, goslings, swans with cygnets, and just one fish.

Then we walked round the Botanic gardens, one of my favourite places.  The gates in the picture were made in Workington in Cumbria near where I lived as a child.

When we got to Leith, we had a very nice lunch and then took the tram back to the station.

There was zero enthusiasm from either of the two men to either go and see anything else, or even to walk along Princes Street to Haymarket and take in the sights.  They don’t make them like they used to.