Yes, it’s true! After yesterday’s rain for most of the day, today was very warm sunshine. in our unsuitable clothing, we even got a little warm!

It was such a sunny day, that I couldn’t bear the thought of being cooped up inside. It was an “outside” day today. Besides I was a bit “historied” out after yesterday. But Philip still had more history to imbibe. So after the three of us took the train into Edinburgh again, Philip went to Holyrood Palace and then the new Scottish Parliament buildings.

He thoroughly enjoyed it and enthusiastically relayed to us all the interesting things he saw. Mary Queen of Scots’s bedroom and the room where her secretary was murdered by her husband. Lots of interesting stuff like that. He also said that the new Parliament Building inside is amazing. Architectural and engineering marvels.

So Rosie and I decided to climb Arthur’s Seat instead.The remnants of a very ancient volcano that is now a 250 metre green hill at the bottom of the Royal Mile and near Holyrood Palace. But a very big hill really with some steep parts to it. A perfect day for a walk. We had a great time too. Lots of other tourists doing it too, but it’s so big that you don’t feel crowded. lots of different pathways meandering all over it.

I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

The start of the walk up Arthur’s seat. Our destination is the high point in the distance.

If you look very closely, you can see the “human ants” on the top of the hill!

This is it! The roof of Edinburgh

A flat area near the top. We sat down for a while, snacked, enjoyed the view and the cool breeze!

Behind us you can see that it is a bit more than a doddle!

The ruin of St Anthony’s chapel. On the way back down again.

After a great lunch together in a little, dark pub we headeed back up the Royal Mile for more tourism! Called “Real Mary King’s Close”. Close means a little street.

The lower levels of an old medieval Edinburgh alley which is built on a very steep hill have survived almost unchanged in the foundations for 250 years. Now this dark, subterranean warren of streets, corridors and poky little stone rooms ave been uncovered and are host to a reenactment of past times of the 1500s and 1600s with costumed players. Life really was miserable then. Really hard times. All of the stories we heard had really happened there. Murder, plagues, everyday life of the poor and wealthy. Rosie, Philip and I all agreed we are so very grateful for living now, and not then! It was a great afternoon. Nothing like a hard dose of reality to induce gratitude!

I know this is an unclear picture, but it’s of the little streets with washing hanging above.

So to finish off a great day, I had to buy some sunscreen. In case we get another sunny day like today. I didn’t bring any with me! And some moisturiser to rub into my sunburn. And another pair of reading glasses because somewhere in the excitement of it all, I lost mine!