Fat Cat's Corner

Todays post will be photo heavy and short on words as it’s been so much to take in!

Today started out quite chilly and raining.  We got a late start but headed out anyway because here, it rains a lot. Once we were out on the street it really started to come down so we ducked into a cafe and had a bite to eat.  Burger with skinny Rosemary fries.  Yum!

It cleared up nicely while we ate so we took a stroll through the Princes Street Garden. What a beautiful park! I’ll bet it is very popular with the locals at lunch time in summer.

Ross Fountain with the Castle in the background.

Quaint Cottage in Princes Street Gardens.

This is Scott Monument in Princes Street Garden.  It is the largest monument to the writer in the world.  For a near 3 pounds per person you may have the privilege to climb the 287 steps to the top via a very narrow spiral staircase!  How narrow you ask? So narrow that two people may just barely pass if one squeezes ones self flatly against the center wall.  And they really should have a door way at the bottom the same size as the doorway at the very tip top that states “You may not be larger than this to reach the top”.  Fortunately I was a wee tad small enough!  I made it all the way to the tippy top!!!  And the views were spectacular!

This is Arthur’s Seat from the Scott Monument.  We have yet to take the “easy, gradual” hike the 250′ extinct volcano.  We’ll see if we get a sunny day as it will take several hours to hike.

The view east (I think) from Scott Monument. Don’t know what the buildings are but I hope to find out.

After a full day walking the Royal Mile in the on again off again rain we headed back to the hotel for a bite to eat and some Internet time.  We ate at Peacock Alley “the epitome of elegance and sophistication”.  Yes. They let us in.  It’s a large carpeted room with lots of upholstered chairs and sofas where they serve lite food and drinks.  I had the Scottish Platter.

which is Smoked Salmon, haggis, Neeps & tatties timbale, Gruth Dhu & Isle of Mull cheddar with oatcakes, cured venison with current compote.  Let me explain…clockwise from the bottom; the stuff that looks like ham with cranberries? Thats the cured venison.  It tasted like a very lightly salted ham:)  next is the haggis, tatties & neeps.  Translation; haggis, potatoes (mashed/whipped) topped with neeps.  Neeps are a root vegetable sorta like turnips, sorta.  That’s a hearty brown gravy in the wee pitcher. Next is the smoked salmon, grapes (you know, grapes), the round cookie like things are the oatcakes next to the cheeses (Gruth Dhu & Isle of Mull cheddar ) with a bit of Quince jam as well.  All very tasty and washed down with a pint of Tennent’s Scottish beer.

That’s enough for now.  Time to head up to bed.  More tomorrow my friends!