Posted July 28th, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
A few days ago we visited Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots back in 1542. A magnificent building in a majestic lochside location. 1542 was also the year that Queen Marys father, James V, who died only six days after her birth, was defeated by the English at the battle of Solway Moss. Mary actually only lived at the palace for the first few months of her life as the palace was not thought safe enough and so she was moved to Stirling Castle.
The palace is certainly impressive and a historical site I would highly recommend. With the journey only taking 20 minutes by train from Edinburgh, its an ideal location for escaping the city, or just having a picnic on the palace grounds.
Throughout July and August Wednesday evenings, the Palace is open to the public for courtyard Scottish Dancing. Dances such as the Gay Gordons, The Flying Scotsman, Boston Two-Step and Flowers of Edinburgh are popular and there is instruction if need be. Live pipe bands provide the music and tea with shortbread is provided.
All this for £7.50.
Our visit was during the day, the timing of our arrival was such that a tour had just started. Interesting though it was, L.Muck and I questioned several 'historical' facts, much to the dismay of the rather 'know it all' young guide. When you see a floor running right through what was obviously a large fireplace mantle, one asks questions. The shell of the building remains as it was but the interior was at one time severely damaged by fire.
The recently restored Kings Fountain is truly magnificent and is thought to be the oldest fountain in Britain, dating back to 1537. At certain times of the week water still pours from mythical beasts and the sculptured heads such of that of a Tax man.
Get Ye To Scotland.
1st L.
Posted in Travel
Posted July 25th, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
I have to say dear readers, that the weather here in Edinburgh has been just fantastic this week. A couple of days ago I was sitting on a park bench opposite a pond, in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh, watching the graceful swans swimming around a floating council trash can, and a lady walked past and decided to stop and have a wee natter. Actually, her first, second, and third glance at me, was that with a look of concern, possibly due to the amount of Greggs the Bakers empty paper bags I had around me and the cake in my hand, but also to do with my pink skin colour. Yes, she stopped and started talking about the hot sun and my frying skin. It's not often I find myself telling a stranger (within 15 seconds) what SPF suncreen I'm wearing. This glamorous older lady, perhaps late 60's, was once a strawberry blonde, and as she walked off she called back that my hair would one day be white like hers. I dont mind, she was very pretty and I told her so.
We Scots are generally warm and friendly, there's just no doubt about it.
Anyway, let me just clarify something. I'm not entirely pink and freckly at the moment. Edinburgh does have a strict no nudity policy, and that's just for in your residence. Yes, you'll find signs scattered around the city reinforcing this fact. I was at the top of the Royal Mile just this past weekend, next to the Edinburgh Castle, and here you'll see a prime example. This sign, abrupt though it may seem, surely gets the message out, just how much skin do you see showing on this lovely Scottish summers day?
There's no plump teenagers in this photo which would alter the results slightly.
My camera, sunscreen, and I, are off to Linlithgow. Until next time.
1st L.
Posted in Travel
Posted June 25th, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
L.Muck told me yesterday that she had confirmed the Hydrogen balloon order for the wedding. I've been very busy creating signs similar to below...
Personally I would have preferred Helium, but my dear mother is a woman who knows what she likes and is quite sure she specifically asked for Hydrogen.
I've been busy this first week helping out with a few errands too. There was a spider awaiting rescue at our holiday apartment. It was sitting in one of the sinks and had seemingly been in there for quite a few days as L.Muck "already knew about it". The removal scene for the spider involved myself with a cup, and L.Muck preparing the way. This involved opening all doors, removing all trip hazards, and thus creating a safe direct route to the patio. I was also given a brief talk on why I should not fall over with the spider in my hand and knock myself out (as the spider would then escape). I kid not..
Actually, it was first mentioned that I just clobber the spider. I hate to do this. The clobbering L.Muck suggested was enough to imprint the spider into the porcelain forever. The spider was humanely removed and I did as L.Muck requested, to free said spider into the neighbours garden 5 houses down.
I've really not managed to do anything touristy this week, however next week I hope to visit both
Cairnpapple Hill, an ancient holy site with evidence of activity dating back 5,500 years and
Linlithgow Palace, a ruin situated in lovely surroundings by a Loch. Both of which are very near Edinburgh. There's nothing quite like standing in a ruin or area of land dating back hundreds to thousands of years to bring out ones spirituality and clear the head a little.
The Glasgow hen night out is tomorrow and all I'll say is this..
What happens in Glasgow, stays in Glasgow.
1st L.
Posted in Travel
Posted June 22nd, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
The well known, the infamous, the notorious 1st Lady of Blog arrived in Edinburgh on Friday met by the myself, the dowager Lady Muck.
Making sure that I did NOT miss her at arrivals this time, I took up my position on a seat facing the Arrival screen and also within sight of the gate. My eyes were glued to the screen from when the first 'due to arrive' came on right through to 'has landed' but I was still staring at the information when I got a glimpse of my daughter sailing past. I had nearly missed her again due to the fact that 'has landed' had appeared only seconds before 1st lady appeared in the lounge. Cheesh. Airports!!!
I am glad to report that she is in fine fettle and we have happily laughed and chortled our way through 2 days already.
She has
mentioned that I took her a
wee walk only a couple of hours after she and the kidlings had arrived, but she did want to get some exercise after the flights.
The walk up Corstorphine Hill was just marvelous and the 180 degree view ranging from Berwick Law to the islands in the Firth of Forth was stunning. I have fallen in love with that walk and look forward to discovering more of Corstorphine Hill in the future when we actually remember to take the camera with us!!!
After about only 5 minutes walking up the path my young grandson said "How long till we see the castle on the hill?" Castle? Castle on Corstorphine Hill? I was just about to say that there was no castle when 1st Lady whispered " I told him there was a castle or he wouldn't want to go" Then, totally unaware, the wee lad said " I mean, why would anyone just walk up this hill for nothing except to walk down again?" A well he found out eventually but by then he was enjoying the view and was totally pre-occupied by listening out for wild animals from the zoo. ( yes, one nasty grandmother had mentioned that the rabbit droppings we saw lying all around
could actually be from lions)
The highlight of our Saturday was when I had taken the 2 kidlings away to the amusements to gamble and 1st Lady had gone to do some shopping and we were to meet up at Pizza Hut.
She was supposed to arrive before us but when we got there the waiter said that she had not come in yet. The 3 of us got a table and I text Astra to say that we had arrived. I got a text back saying she had arrived too. The only thing was she was sitting in Frederick Street Pizza Hut and we were in Hanover Street. I tell you I am going to put a set of baby reigns on that girl.
It only took her 5 minutes to join us ( thankfully neither of us had ordered our meals yet) and we laughed our way through dinner. ( helped on by a glass of white wine)
From now on I will be too busy to Blog for a while as she has a list of 'things to do'and 'things to see' that will keep us busy until I escape for the wedding!!
Edinburgh watch out!!! the 2 Ladies are oot and aboot!!!
Posted in Travel
Posted June 22nd, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
The plane flight was uneventful, apart from the fact that halfway to Heathrow, just as I was having a nap, an announcement was made asking if there was a doctor onboard. A fellow sitting next to me seemed to be the only doctor and he was gone for a good 45mins, rushing to and fro to his carry on bag always looking for something. Never did find out what was wrong, or what he was looking for.. maybe he was just ensuring I hadn't taken his wallet... do I look that shifty?
Heathrow was surprisingly pleasant especially compared to Dulles, which seemed more unwelcoming than usual. Heathrow employees were all quite friendly and although there's still a trek between gates, the transfer bus, security, immigration, and the new biometric security were all calm and quiet. Wonderful surprise! Especially for June... and Mavis.. and Gertrude..
Edinburgh is always a delight to land into or leave from. It's really so stress free when you compare to major international airports. The taxi situation for all our luggage was actually very easily dealt with too. Basically we followed the signs for Taxi and ended up in a minivan taxi, same price as a regular car and only £12 for the lot of us into Murrayfield. It's handy to experience these situations as we then pass on this information to our Edinburgh visitors.
L.Muck had kindly ordered a grocery delivery direct to the house and so we had food waiting. One of the items had a buy 1 get 1 free, and when the order had arrived, the free bottle wasn't included, so L.Muck called up Tesco to ask about the missing free item and she was told that to get the free bottle, you had to put 2 in your online cart, well, that just doesn't make sense, wouldn't one think that if you put 2 in your cart, then you would get 4 bottles in total? Surely if you placed 2 bottles in your cart, you would be charged for 2 too?
Anyway, here is what was waiting for me in the fridge...
Next time I may make sure that she wears her glasses before selecting quantitys. If anyone has a recipe for cider milk cheese pancakes with lemon drops I'd really appreciate it, I'm getting a little bored of my milk cheese cider with lemon drops pancakes, and the cheese cider milk with lemon drop pancakes turned out a bit runny...
I'm leaving L.Muck to tell you about our short walk up a big hill..
1st L.
Posted in Travel
Posted June 19th, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
The Royal Highland Show starts today. I'm hoping the sheep and other farm animals have already arrived as there's nothing quite as annoying as sitting next to a chatty cow on the plane.
This 4 day country themed event is located on the outskirts of Edinburgh. I've been going for a number of years now and hope to go either Saturday or Sunday, weather depending. L.Muck has said she may, just may come too (I promise readers to take a photo if she wears her cow print wellies)! Read about L.Mucks reasons and fears on why she hasn't been to the RHS since she was a child
here. Reading that old post I notice JohnW has disappeared, I must chase him up, he kindly was one of our first commenters who stuck with us until the blog got going. He has an interesting Blog called
Travellers Tales from the Scottish Highlands. Give him a visit, he'll like the hit count... How's things John?
I'm trying to decide whether to pack my Barbour coat or not. Last year I didn't, and the weather was rather wet. My suitcases are already close to their limit and the last thing I want to do is to be overweight at check in. If only L.Mucks inflatable enhancers didn't take up so much room...
Back to the show. I always spend a bob or two at the craft stalls, of which there are plenty. Its not all agricultural, there's hundreds of stalls selling everything from original watercolours to highland cow footstools**, some high street retailers are there too, fine examples of traditional Scottish craftmanship are on exhibit, food courts offer samples and there's much more. I do avoid the machinery part, with all the tractors and 'things that farmers use'. Last year I bought a couple of pieces of art from an artist B. Black, both depicting simple Scottish scenes. A house by a loch, and the other a town and beach which reminded me of the West coast village of
Shieldaig, where I spent a few summers.
And now I must stop blogging and finish packing, prepare for a long day ahead.
Until Edinburgh,
1st L.
** Highland Cow Footstools are footstools made in the image of a cow, with wooden legs and face. These are not footstools made for Highland Cows. Highland Cows dont use footstools because if they did, they'd be standing, they prefer to watch TV sitting down, Highland cows prefer to use cowches.
Posted in Travel
Posted June 17th, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
Scotland is to welcome me back this Friday, bags n all. Now normally I would pick up a rental car at the airport and just drive into town with all my suitcases, however this time I'm not picking up a car until Monday.
So, we have myself, L.Muck and 2 wee uns, plus 5, possibly 6, checked bags, and our carry ons to transport into town. There are a few options that L.Muck and I have discussed. Firstly, we could try a taxi, and if we dont all fit in, then L.Muck offered to take the bus. 5 checked bags and the bus? Well, I thought that was far too kind of her really.
Secondly, we could load our luggage onto the airport shuttle (#100 bus) which leaves for Edinburgh city centre every 10 mins or so. There's a #100 bus stop not too far from our place, so we could follow in a taxi and stop the bus at our stop. Thus travelling in comfort and avoiding the per person bus fee. Neither L.Muck or myself have seen any signs posted in the bus stating that passengers must accompany luggage, and since the bus only charges for passengers, the luggage should be ticket free. Brilliant?
However, if this fails (as we are not quite sure how the taxi driver will get the bus to stop without involving quick braking and possible police incident), there's the 3rd option.
L.Muck, a bike, 3 sidecars, and a ball of string...
Stay tuned...
Posted in Travel
Posted June 15th, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
Those who know me also know that I possess one of the scariest, weirdest and down right craziest imaginations on the planet ( and probably further. For all I know the Martians are totally void of non factual thought)
I would like to find out though if there are others ( apart from my children who have all inherited similar healthy imaginations) who can identify with my latest crazy thought.
I have actually had this thought for some time now but the feeling is getting stronger.
Now you know how busy it can get at many street crossings with a line of people at either side just waiting to cross?( the roads leading from Princes Street are where I got this idea) And then we all kind of meet in the middle of the road? ( with me so far?) WELL, to me it seems exactly like being at a Scottish Country Dance and I want to grab my opposite numbers arm and swing them around singing "Take your partner round and round, lift his feet right off the ground ...etc etc"
Now this picture is scarily getting stronger and stronger and I am wondering what TV programme could arrange this for me. ( or will I just go for it one day and be carted off by men in white coats?)
Am I the only one to be able to picture this, and should John be saved from a life with me? or are there other like minded individuals out there?
I am almost scared to ask.
Posted in Travel
Posted March 28th, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
Thankfully L.Muck's special 'hold it all in' knickers arrived in time to be worn under her lovely wedding dress. She didn't mind my posting a picture of all the packaging we had to unwrap and throw temporarily in the Conservatory...
However she did want me to mention that the wrapping really isn't as bad as it looks as this was for 2 pairs.
1st L.
Posted in Travel
Posted February 3rd, 2008
by Amelia Burton Health and Fitness
So here we are before our weekend Hen Do in Glasgow where we met up with family members and friends. We drank a little, ate too much and laughed a lot. L.Muck picked up a fellow at a bar, I have a wonderful photo to prove it too as my Nikon goes everywhere. Better not blog that photo yet though as with her wedding not too far away I'm trying to keep L.Muck cool, calm, and collected, and L.Mucks better half from running away. All hard work indeed. The fact she was wearing a bright pink sash with 'Bride To Be' and a huge badge wasn't enough to keep the men away.
That'll do for my Glasgow Hen Night briefing (for now).
We managed to visit a couple of tourist attractions arond Edinburgh within the last few days. First of all was Cairnpapple Hill, with the highest summit in West Lothian and wonderful views coast to coast. The weather that day was heavy rain storms, then bright sunshine, then heavy rain storms. Thankfully there's this large cairn at the summit that you can climb into for shelter, we used it for refuge as the heavens opened within minutes of us arriving. There was a strange peace as I stood on top of the cairn, everyone else undercover, and watched as the rain front enveloped the countryside in front of me. I stood there until the winds got too strong and climbed into the ground also. The cairn protects a couple of important burial sites, dating back thousands of years and as the wind and rain passed us by, we stood sheltered next to someones burial place.
This mound is actually a reconstruction and larger than what the original burial mound would have been. It's in here that the Bronze Age burial cists are located.
Much earlier (around 2500 BC) the summit was surrounded by a bank and a ditch. Large uprights, standing stones or timber monuments, were added.
In recent years standing cows were added.
Posted in Travel
A few days ago we visited Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots back in 1542. A magnificent building in a majestic lochside location. 1542 was also the year that Queen Marys father, James V, who died only six days after her birth, was defeated by the English at the battle of Solway Moss. Mary actually only lived at the palace for the first few months of her life as the palace was not thought safe enough and so she was moved to Stirling Castle.
Throughout July and August Wednesday evenings, the Palace is open to the public for courtyard Scottish Dancing. Dances such as the Gay Gordons, The Flying Scotsman, Boston Two-Step and Flowers of Edinburgh are popular and there is instruction if need be. Live pipe bands provide the music and tea with shortbread is provided.
