Porky bits

For those of you on Facebook, sorry but there will be some doubling up as I post some photos on FB as well as the Blog.
Pulled Pork is the flavour of the month all over the world, actually, and majority of people love it, although I do know one or two who do not!
Walking the streets of Edinburgh I stumbled across this fast food take away window.

Also stumbled across this menu with supposed yummy treats.

Didn't try either.......

Hire Car

I drive around Melbourne constantly whinging about people who drive 4 wheel drives. Can't see round them, can't see through them. Imagine my horror when I was presented with one to leave Glasgow in. We had ordered a Skoda Octavia, which is probably about the size of a Honda Accord.......anyway.
With some trepidation I got in our Nissan Qashqai, known in Australia as a Dualis. I felt quite grown up cause you sit very high and get a good view of everybody down below. It's very comfy, has a sun roof for the entire length of the car, a roomy boot for our big red suitcases and all the rest of the crap we accumulate travelling and rear view cameras which make reverse parallel parking, a snap. It also has nifty wipers and headlights that like to operate themselves when it's wet or dark. Saves me having to think, so that's a plus. The gear change is easy, but sadly it has no guts. Had to move down to second gear to go up a hill!


Still she looks pretty.....

Edinburgh Castle

This major construction overlooks the town of Edinburgh and is truly awe inspiring from the lower parts of the city, and pretty awesome when you climb to the top as well.
Every year the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is held in the front grounds of the castle and every year they construct a massive seating arrangement. It takes 6 weeks to construct and 6 weeks to deconstruct. Watching it take shape is quite something with all the cranes and precision involved. They are also holding 2 major concerts before the Tattoo, best get the most value from the seats.....

Day Trip to Edinburgh

Can't come to this end of Britain without visiting Edinburgh, especially considering The Scotch Malt Whisky rooms are here.
The train service is terrific, they run 8 trains every hour, and it only takes about 45 mins.

We chose a hotel close to the station, so an easy walk to a very enjoyable stay at The Scotsman Hotel. I'm not used to this sort of upmarketness, but I could get used to it. A very friendly greeting, a big room,

 great view, my own office - they obviously know how busy I am,

bed turn down.......

 and a very tasty breakfast - soft poached eggs with smoked salmon. John went the Full Scottish style, black pudding and all.
Yep, I could get used to this.
A Scotch Malt Whisky tasting followed an extensive walk around the back blocks of the Castle City and not a drop of water from the sky, and not too many drops in the whisky either!

Glasgow Municipal Buildings

Supposedly, really worth a look at the interior of this building, but of course today it was shut, except for the ground floor. So we dutifully spent time looking at that and could have been forgiven for thinking we were back in Italy. Quite spectacular marble work and mosaic design.

A Great Scottish Beer

Nothing more to say really......

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

I can, not go to Botanical Gardens in a city I visit, and Glasgow is no exception. We were just in time for the most spectacular show of Rhododendrons, even better than at Villa Carlotta, don't you think.

It was also a great display of Squirrel, even better than in Gosport. These little fellows were so timid, I thought one of them was going to run up John's leg.

A lovely peaceful walk, and the green houses were good too.