Love at first sight

Admittedly we're a bit weak and vulnerable. But in the ten hours or so since we landed, we have become smitten with Edinburgh.  Granted weather has been tricky.  Going from sunny to cloudy to partly cloudy to short lived but seriously wet showers.  Being from the NW we are used to unreliable weather, but we're not used to these showers materializing out of nothing.

Our apartment is lovely, in a 19th building with funky worn concrete steps leading to the third floor flat.  A lovely view of gardens out the living room window, and a very nice land lady.  The neighborhood is great, straddling the borders of New Town and Leith.  A short walk to the heart of the city, yet a real neighborhood just beyond the reach of the tourists and the businesses catering to them (and us). 

For our first day we had no agenda, other than to get somewhat oriented and try to stay awake as long as we could, following a sleepless overnight flight for Cathy and a near sleepless one for me.  It is now approaching seven pm, so we have done pretty well.  Our wonderings took us by a soccer stadium that was filling up with fans for an afternoon match, coffee and rolls and people watching at a nearby bakery, and maybe 7 - 10 miles of walking, chancing upon historical sites like Holyrood Palace and the Scottish parliament, as well as following the royal mile   to the entrance to Edinburgh Castle. 

Down the road from our apartment

From the apartment living room window

Hiding under trees during a surprise rain shower

Next to Holyrood Palace.

Scottish parliament

 Stadium where we'll be watching Military Tattoo come Saturday

  
Old façade preserved with the construction of a newer glass building.