Miles of walking

I started my day a little slowly and then took off for a power walk around 10:30 through the beautiful park. Came upon the Sir Walter Scott tower/monument built in his honor in 1844.  For a fee, one is allowed to climb to the top and see the wonderful views of the city from 200 feet.  I'm exercising anyway, so why not climb the 287 steps and have a look see....even if the temperature has dropped dramatically from yesterday and the winds cut through you to make the point?

The Scott Monument

I continued my walk and noted some typical scenes before stopping at a Starbucks (there are tons of them all over UK) for a yogurt and coffee and returning to the hotel with pastry and latte for Michael, who continues to monitor his computer and the Boat Company progress of initiating the first/early trips of the season for the two boats in Alaska.

The Castle

An artist at work on a canvas!

The bag piper at work entertaining the tourists

The Old

And the new

After returning to the hotel, cleaning up and resting a bit with on-line checking of emails, etc, I struck out again and decided to walk to the Castle, which is no small feat distance and climbing wise.  I spent several hours in the castle viewing a variety of museums and gift shops (there was one at every opportunity, believe me) then headed back out and down the "Miracle Mile" of the old town section.  My favorite viewing was in the military museum with its marvelous portraits.  Ofcourse that would be since I have a passion for portraiture, don't I?  Take a look.

starting with a sculpture of a warrior

Just to remind us all of the "one world" concept, parking attendants and their power still rule the roads, where ever we are!

Finished the day off in the hotel dining room yearning for and getting a hamburger, medium rare, and a bottle of great Spanish wine.  We are converts to Spanish wine with the introduction from our daughter-in-law and a Christmas in Spain this past year.  Great wines...

One last day in Edinburgh tomorrow then back to London.