Scenic route to Edinburgh

Although a new experience for us (using the train system), we gamely struck out this morning to Paddington Station to catch a 10:30 East Coast train.  Half way there I checked our reservation and discovered we needed to be at the Kings Cross Station in the opposite part of town to a train that leaves at 10:00am!  I don't usually get these logistics wrong, but this morning was a doozy.  Fortunately, our cabbie was understanding, did a u-turn and sped back across town in record time...during rush hour at that.

Made the train and settled in for a 4.5 hour trip to Edinburgh.  Lots of beautiful countryside to see....changing from flat farm land to rolling hills to cliff sea shore topography.  So very green.  Not to mention it was one of UK's warmest days with no rain.  What a concept!

Having safely arrived, navigated the massive train station under renovation, and settled into our hotel, the Caladonian Hilton across from St John's Episcopal Church we set up our computers, found the wi-fi connections and caught up on the final work of a Friday afternoon in UK and morning in US.

I went for a short walk to stretch my legs and see Prince's street in the afternoon warmth while Michael manned the phone to Florida, Alaska, and Washington on Boat Company business.  Nice photos to start the visit:

St John's

The Castle

The grandest Starbucks in the UK, bar none!

The grand staircase of the Caladonian

We topped the evening off with dinner and the wonderful company of the Rector of St John's who is also the Dean of the Edinburgh Episcopal church and his wife.  We have been members for 9 years since
having our reaffirmation ceremony for our 35th wedding anniversary there in 2002.  Maybe we'll do it again for our 50th ???  Wonderful dinner and catch up.  Will be attending services Sunday morning before returning to London.

Enough for now.  More to come.