...Meeting in the aisle

Wow !! Where do I start. I've spent the last few days in Edinburgh, the most beautiful city in the U.K. Went up on the train, which is a gorgeous ride up the east coast, to Newcastle then Berwick (worth a visit too...). Visited Edinburgh Castle, numerous art galleries, went to the Royal National Scottish Orchestra at the Usher Hall, which was brilliant. The lady sat next to us happened to comment rather coyly that her daughter was the Cor Anglaise player, who solo'ed later on Dvorzaks New world Symphony (brilliantly!). Saturday morning we went to Holyrood house Palace. Got there before the masses at 9-30, so was the first in the main gallery (other than the guides) Its an absolutely amazing place to visit. There are paintings of all the medieval Kings of Scotland down the walls, ending with the English Stuart line at the other end-James 2nd etc.. We also went to the Canaletto exhibition in the Queens Gallery, also very good. I also climbed the Scott monument, alas I don't have many photos (only decent one is above...)from the top as I was shaking so much with vertigo. The stairs go up a basalt tube 200 feet high,when I got to the top platform there wasn't enough room for the dozen or so of tourists (including me ) to move, so we all had to squash past each other with a fearful expression. I stopped shaking on the ground about 40 minutes later! I'm not good with heights.. 'Jimmy Cheungs Chinese Buffet' is the best chinese you will ever visit. I couldn't stop eating, it was so good. You will find it just up from the Usher Hall. Mussels in Black bean sauce are being consumed in this photo, much to the amusement of Mrs Somers,(it was my second visit to the buffet) later to be complimented by chocolate cake and double chocky ice cream. On the trip back there were engineering works on the railway so we got sent via the Settle and Carlisle route, a very picturesque route back to Leeds... although it took a long time to get home, (6 hours in all). Would love to buy a house in Scotland to retire, if not Devon... Carpetbagger, you know you are welcome to stay whenever you want!