OFF TO EDINBURGH
We are up at 0544 and put the kettle on. I checked the engine coolant and bilge, all is as it should be. Yet one thing is not right - I CAN SEE STARS ALL ABOUT. Today the plan is to motor in into Edinburgh and from there, who knows. I will be calling the Falkirk Base to check the status of the Forth and Clyde canal. They have had issues with water level and a small breach.
Scones and coffee this morn and soon to be underway. No real set plans other than make it to OINK for the best roast pork sandwich in the world.
My expert advice is for anyone planning a visit to Edinburgh is to get on a stair master for at the minimum of 1 hour a day. Just Saying. My watch shows 46 flights of stairs today!
Yes and maybe find a thermal mug.
Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland, balances its deep medieval roots with a lively, contemporary cultural landscape. Characterized by its dramatic volcanic landscape and dark stone architecture, the city is split into two distinct UNESCO World Heritage zones: the labyrinthine, medieval Old Town and the neoclassical, structured New Town.
I do like this city and there is much to see, The Castle, The Royal Mile, and Holyroodhouse, oh and St Giles Cathedral. We have been here a few time and there is a lot to see and do.
Oh the toy museum is very interesting.
We were up and got the morning maintenance done and had breakfast of coffee and scones. We also topped up our water. We cast off at about 0815 pointing the bow of Lyra towards Edinburgh. We estimated a sailing time of 3-4 hours. This section of canal transforms from the bucolic countryside to a busy urban environment in a rather rapid manner. The clouds were absent from the sky and sailing into the sun was difficult at times. That said, the sun was very welcome.
This was a picturesque section of the Union Canal. With that said, all of the canal is picturesque in it’s own right. We did pass several narrow boats that appeared to be derelict. We passed many a bridge and a couple of aqueducts, past farms and families of swans, onward we sailed. About a mile out of Edinburgh there is Harrison Park and I must say it looks rather inviting. We may make a stop there on our return.
We arrived at the Lochrin Basin where we will moor for the night at 1100. But before we moor we must navigate the winding hole. A winding hole is an area on the canal where you can turn around. The winding hole here at the Lock-in Basin is located right at the Leamington Lift Bridge. (Winding is pronounced as in South Wind.)
I must say I did a rather admirable job in turning the Lyra in the Winding Hole. Soon we were tied up just before the Viewforth Bridge. We are getting good at this.
THIS IN THE WINDING HOLE WHERE WE TURNED AROUND
We stowed the lunch sandwiches and started the walk into Edinburgh. While walking in we noticed a Poundland and will make a stop there on our return.
On previous trips to Edinburgh we always get a sandwich at Oink. There are three locations in Edinburgh and we went to the one on Victoria Street. Lynn got a Piglet with applesauce and the onion and sage filling, I got a an Oink with Apple and Haggis. The meat is pork picked from a whole hog that is presented in the shops window. These sandwiches are great and with an Irn-Bru made a perfect lunch.
We continued up Victoria Street to the Royal Mile. We did some shopping at the Visit Scotland shop. It is also a great place to get tourist information. FYI all, yes all the other “Rubber Tomahawk” (tourist trap shop) shops are owned by one person. I just feel better supporting the Visitors Bureau, plus their prices are very reasonable if not better.
Putting traffic cones on statues is a decades-old Scottish tradition that started as a late-night prank and grew into an unofficial symbol of Scottish humor.
We walked a bit of the Royal Mile in what seemed like a very crowded street. Even though we have been here during Fringe Festival when it is really crazy crowded. Up toward the castle we went, enough of these crowds say we.
Time to return to our quaint ship Lyra. We made a stop at The White Hart Inn, which has an interesting history.
The pub gets its name from a miraculous and holy event that took place in Edinburgh in 1128. The Scottish King David I, against the advice of his priest, set out hunting upon the Feast Day of the Holy Rood, which is Scots for the Holy Cross.
He came upon a huge, white stag and gave chase but was suddenly thrown from his horse. The mad stag immediately turned upon its pursuer and King David began frantically praying to God for his salvation. The story is told that a fiery cross appeared between the stag’s antlers before it vanished from sight. A grateful King David built a shrine upon the site of the miracle, founding Holyrood Abbey, the ruin of which may be seen today at the rear of Holyrood Palace.
For many years public executions were held a few hundred steps to the east and the crowds would keep the innkeeper extremely busy.
The White Hart Inn has also welcomed many notable patrons throughout its five centuries including the Scottish bard Robert Burns, who spent one week here in November 1791 visiting his lover Nancy Macklehose (Clarinda) for one last time and during his stay he was inspired to write one of his most beautiful and enduring love songs, Ae Fond Kiss. Some of his poetry may be seen painted upon our wooden rafters.
Two of the most infamous patrons were Edinburgh’s notorious body snatchers, William Burke and William Hare, who spent the year of 1828 enticing several of their fellow patrons back to their nearby lodgings only to murder them and sell their corpses to Dr Knox at Edinburgh Medical School. Their faces may still be seen grinning from their places on The White Hart’s beams. In recent years, staff and customers have reported numerous sightings and experiences that suggest the hospitality offered at The White Hart Inn over the centuries has been so good that some of our patrons have decided never to leave!
Continuing on our walk back to Lyra we made a stop at the Salvation Army Store and found a hat and some cards. Sadly no jumpers in my size. :) Across the way we found Poundland and this one was closing so there were many deals to be had. We procured more biscuits for our ships stores. Next was Tesco for more bread and more lunch meat. I am still searching for a thermal mug. Back aboard Lyra we stored our plunder, put on the kettle and will be preparing a cottage pie for the evening meal. We are deciding on a plan for our return.
More on what we decide tomorrow. Still in search of a thermal coffee mug.
Today as we passed under one of the many bridges there was a group of folks taking our picture. This has happened more than once. Anyway as we moored up these same people came walking by, I stopped them and asked about the pictures thhey had taken. In our conversation I learned they were from France and also boaters. They said many times people had taken their photos and sent them the images. I asked if they would mdo the same for us and they were glad to do so. I hope in a qweek or so we will get some images.
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