The End of Edinburgh...

My last day here, and I do actually like the place, but I need a slightly warmer climate until I get used to the cold...

I can't honestly say I've had the best time here. It is a beautiful place, but not for me, at the moment at any rate. Edinburgh is so steeped in history that I could almost feel the ghosts wandering around and they aren't very happy! Dark and brooding, and yet with a young population, it is certainly very popular with both tourists and backpackers. But somehow I didn't get into the groove. Maybe because I was sick, maybe because of the rain & freezing wind, maybe because everyone I met was 5-10 years younger, I donno. But I'd like to go back there. When I'm more used to the cold!

For the last of my visit here I went hunting for a little culture. I visited the Writers Museum, which is dedicated to Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, The Royal Scottish Museum, which was recommended to me by Richard and where I saw the most macabre clock (typically Richard actually!), and Greyfryer's Bobby which has lovely story attached:

In 1858, a man named John Gray was buried in old Greyfriars Churchyard. His grave levelled by the hand of time, and unmarked by any stone, became scarcely discernible; but, although no human interest seemed to attach to it the sacred spot was not wholly disregarded or forgotten. For fourteen years the dead man's faithful dog kept constant watch and guard over the grave until his own death in 1872. The famous Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby was so devoted to his master John Gray, even in death, for fourteen years Bobby lay on the grave only leaving for food. It is reported that a daily occurrence of people from all walks of life would stand at the entrance of the Kirkyard waiting for the one o'clock gun and the appearance of Bobby leaving the grave for his midday meal.

There is a statue to the dog out the front of the Greyfriers Kirk (the graveyard), and a tombstone for him inside, placed some ten years after Bobby died.

Then, because I couldn't be bothered doing anything else, and had 7 odd hours to kill before my train out of there, I indulged in my first real bit of true relaxation: I curled up on a couch in the Nero Cafe, and read Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaimen, cover to cover. Pure Heaven!

I am now about to go and catch a sleeper train back to London (the Caledonian Sleeper run by Scotrail). And I paid for an actual sleeper compartment this time. Due to the lateness of my booking, and the difference in accommodation, it is costing me 4 times that of the train ride up here. But I really don't care. I want to get back to warm(er) weather and more than 1 hour of sun a day. My only regret: that I didn't arrange to go during the day, because I won't get to see the country side. But I have an interview (supposedly) on Thursday or Friday afternoon, so I can't do the day trip. Never mind. As I said, I will be back!