Edinburgh trip

From http://ianrstewart.blogspot.com/

We took the train down to Edinburgh yesterday afternoon and went straight up Waverley Steps to the Cafe Royal, where Anne had booked us a table in the Oyster Bar - a place I'd always wanted to dine in, but never really had the chance. We were a touch early but they kept us going with drinks, olives, balsamic vinegar and some of the best bread I've ever tasted until they officially started serving at 5 pm.

We had a nice round corner table, which had an interesting plaque behind it - check http://iansaleadventures.blogspot.com/ for a photo.

It's a lovely place with fine wood pannelled, tiled and stained glass wall features:



After our early supper, we strolled down to our hotel, which was a discreet 5 star place called the Glass House, adjacent to the theatre. Anne had found us a deal on the internet and it really was lovely - top quality and a little different. Our rooms were on the 3rd floor and we had doors which opened out on to the roof terrace gardens. This is Jo stepping out to join me:



Calton Hill was right behind us:



Turning the other way, there was a lovely view all the way down to the Firth of Forth:



Les Miserables was great - much better than I remembered it from the time we saw it several years ago. We had a beer in the adjacent Theatre Royal, and who should come and sit at the next table, but several of the cast.

Colin and I decided we would also have a nightcap using the honesty bar on the 3rd floor of the Glass House - it seemed quite odd pouring your own measures and just signing for them.

Breakast this morning was very nice in the Observatory room and then Jo and I went shopping in John Lewis, Jenner's and Laura Ashley. We're still looking for a chair for me, plus a TV table and - a new idea - possibly a bureau style desk. We were partially successful, in that we saw a couple of possibilities, but we didn't actually order anything. The bureau in particular is proving to be a bit elusive - we may have to try the antique shops or Mother Hubbard's in Torphins. I may also have now gone off the original idea of getting a swivel recliner - we test drove a very comfortable easy chair in John Lewis - we both liked it, although Jo is a little concerned that it may be a little big - particularly if we take the storage footstool as well. This is what it looks like:



We had time to stop off for coffee at the rear of the Dome, below Rose St - a lovely spot:



After that, it was lunch with the Elgies - check http://bvetsfootballgroup.blogspot.com/ - then we all headed off back down to Waverley, with the girls, as usual, bringing up the rear:



So, we're home now and just chilling out this evening. Tomorrow, it's Aviemore for me - hope it stays dry.