Eleven go to Edinburgh - Day 2

Oh dear, another exhausting day! Breakfast in our temporary home went smoothly before we ventured out into the balmy Edinburgh morning to catch the train to Deep sea World. The train journey was an adventure especially as we crossed the Forth Rail Bridge and looked out over North Queensferry. A lovely walk down an exceptionally steep hill took us to the rarified surroundings of Sea World. After a lengthy, and occasionally, surreal talk about sharks we pottered about looking at all manner of aquatic creatures. We watched the seals being fed before the Stronsay Eleven declared themselves to be hungry. Again. It was 11.45am and the staff were still green around the gills from the eating fest that was Cosmo. We enjoyed our lunch overlooking some strangely green water in the disused quarry. Not as strange as the sign that described the water as "reddish-brown".
What we had all conveniently forgotten was the exceptionally steep hill. As we left Deep Sea World, an Orkney type wind embraced us and we staggered, groaning, back to the station. On reaching Edinburgh we hopped on an open top vintage bus for a tour of the city. The guide was witty and informative, the weather bracing. After an all too brief interlude, it was off for a pizza. Please, no more food. The Stronsay Eleven did us proud by polishing off the most enormous pizzas known to man. This is where it all went downhill. And uphill. And up more steps than we knew existed. Marching at double time to make the 7.30pm start at the theatre we dashed across the city. The Grand Old Duke of York would have been proud. With seconds to spare we settled into our seats for the performance. It is a measure of our fortitude that we all stayed awake and no-one was sick. The play ended and we knew that an evening walk across town was impossible. We were full of pizza and ice-cream, exhausted after the Edinburgh route march, and unable to walk another step. But no! A number 16 bus appeared in the distance. One that we knew would stop outside the youth hostel. Unfortunately, it was on the opposite side of the road and we were nowhere near the bus stop. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Mr. Pietri. It what can only be described as a jaw-dropping dash, he sprinted to the bus stop and stopped the bus. Spurred on by his example, we all ran after him and sank into the welcome seats of the number 16. Usain Bolt had better watch out. Needless to say, the Stronsay Eleven, made a beeline for their beds in preparation for their day at the Scottish Parliament. These MSP's don't know what they've got in store.

 

Eleven go to Edinburgh - Day 1

Where to begin...? We've been up since 5.30pm, have travelled by taxi, 'plane, tram and double decker bus, eaten for Orkney, visited the zoo, and have just RUN back to the Youth Hostel in a torrential downpour!

The rain is pouring in rivers down the Leith Road and we've had to leap over them. Nothing unusual here, you may think but we're all exhausted after our early start and had promised ourselves a nice meal, a leisurely walk in the evening  sunshine and an early night. It already seems an eternity since we swapped rainy Stronsay for rainy Edinburgh.
To be fair, we all commented on the "tropical" weather down south. We pottered around the zoo without our coats on, watching the penguins feeding and waiting for the Giant Pandas to wake up. And waiting. And waiting. We had to content ourselves with watching the rise and fall of some black and white fur under a mountain of bamboo leaves.

The high spot of the day, for many, was lunch at MacDonalds and a ride upstairs on a double decker bus. But this was before we discovered the paradise that is the Cosmo restaurant. Described as "Pan Asian" we were able to choose dishes from Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Italian and British menus......you get the idea. There was also an enormous selection of puddings and a
chocolate fountain. Unfortunately, I cannot say more. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas and all that. Suffice to say, we did not let Stronsay down and even as I type I expect the restaurant is reconsidering its pricing policy and business plan.
 There was a point where we didn't think we'd be able to stagger downhill to the Youth Hostel, but then the heavens opened and we ran instead. Our clothes are drying on the backs of chairs. Our stomachs may take longer to recover. Look out tomorrow for more of our adventures.

Barbara Deavin, Antoine Pietri, Andy Rose and the Stronsay Eleven.

What's on this week? (1/06/2015)

S4 fishing trip to the Mainland

Here are just a few pictures from the S4 trout fishing trip to the Mainland (27 & 28 May), before a more comprehensive post, including video footages of monster trout!

Photo - James Macleod

Photo - James Macleod

What's on this week? (25/05/2015