Our apartment was right at the start of the Royal Mile
Our Cath, has always wanted to go to Edinburgh for Hogmanay… So as this was a special age year for her, we booked a surprise apartment on the Royal Mile. We arrived by rail, straight into Edinburgh Waverley, but changing at Preston… Although there was some confusion amongst us, as which was the best way to reach the apartment… on the pavement… or up the stairs… we got there in the end, and picked up the keys from a secured box… and made our way up these historic tenements, luckily it was on the first floor…
Our apartment was on the corner… first floor…
glad it wasn’t the top floor (6th), it would have killed me lol.
We had arrived on the 30th December, as Cath’s birthday is on the 31st… New Years Eve. and this gave us a chance to ‘suss’ the place out… where to eat… where to buy wine ect… and it was all at hand and in easy distance… The apartment was a one bed jobby, with myself and Ann having the double, and Cath taking the sofa-bed… but we did wonder who got the best deal… as once the sofa bed was extended… it was not folded back, until we left… with Ann & Cath fighting to get on it…lol. As a special treat this evening we booked online to go on the torch-lit walk to Hollyrood Park, and celebrations… piped along the way, by loads of local pipe bands… it was absolutely stunning…
Cath gets her torch… ready to join the procession
The lighting of the touch… there were 1000’s on the walk
Walking from the Royal Mile to Holyrood Park
When we got back after hours… the crowds were still starting off below our window
Next morning Cath got to open her cards, and a few pressies, before we headed off for breakfast at Frankie & Bennies… directly opposite our apartment on the High Street, and we were to eat here most times for our evening meal, and our breakfasts. Although one morning we did have breakfast in one of the upmarket, eating establishments, mentioned in the Edinburgh good food guides, which although nice… was found to be quite expensive, and so next day it was back to F&B’s.
the good food guide eatery… I only included this cos I’m in it…lol
On Cath’s Birthday (New Years Eve) we had planned a full day… starting with a bus ride to Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens (Cath’s request)… and we spent a few hours, walking the gardens and vast glass houses… when we left the sun had come out, and we had a cream tea… Cath & Ann, decided as it was so nice, they would walk back through the city to our apartment, but I caught a local bus back… after a light lunch… we walked up the High Street, and visited the Castle… it turned out you had to book a time online, so Cath & Ann did this, but without me, as I opted to go back with them to a coffee house lol… then they went back at their allotted time, and I crashed out in the flat…
We went to Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens on Cath’s Birthday…
Inside the glass houses
Edinburgh Castle
After a full day out… we spent a few hours chilling in the flat, before going over to F&B’s once again for our evening meal… and before leaving the apartment to join the throngs of merrymakers down on North Bridge, looking towards the Castle, where the main fireworks for the evening would be set off. We got a good spec on the bridge… but WOW… it ended up PACKED !!!
Our place on North Bridge… all wrapped up
The fireworks at the Stroke of 00:00.am 2019…
After making our way back to our apartment, we crashed out, with a few glasses of wine, and watching the New Year celebrations around the world on the T.V., Cath assumed her usual place by the window… wrapped up well, and continued to watch the celebrations on the High Street below our window, and we all went to bed around 01:00.am.
Next morning we got up with a cuppa… and when ready, went over F&B’s for breakfast… I’m amazed as to the quality of choice of there meals, whether breakfast or other meals… but you always feel as though you have had a good amount, when you leave… lol. After breakfast, we went back to our flat, and got ready for the day ahead… it was a glorious winters day… clear sky’s but cold with it… Cath wanted to go up to Hollyrood Park, and we must admit… so did Ann & I
Calton Hill
Before visiting the Hill and its monuments, I wanted to stop along the way up… and visit an ancient graveyard, overlooking to city, to see the burial place of ‘Robbie Burns’ the Scottish Poet, of world renown…
Robbie Burns Mausoleum at Calton Cemetery
Cath on the Edinburgh Parthenon
The Edinburgh Parthenon on Calton Hill
Gawd… it was B***** freezing
After coming down from the Hill… we went back for a coffee, and warm-up, before hitting some of the shops in the area. We then went back to our apartment, to get ready for our evening meal… Cath had tried to book a deal at the the Hard-Rock Cafe, the night before… but it was not available on that night… however, as it was her birthday they allowed her to carry it forward to New Years Day… and so this is where we went for our evening meal…
Edinburgh’s Hard Rock Cafe…
Cath’s Birthday Glass… now sitting beside her others at home
The walk back to our apartment, after the Hard Rock Cafe
The next morning… got up, packed and made our way back down to the rail station, stopping along the way to have breakfast in Wetherspoons… and caught the train back home… what an absolutely wonderful, New Year celebration of Cath’s special birthday… which will be long remembered, and read about….