We always planned to spend two days in Edinburgh and planned for it. This time we felt like old hands – getting train tickets on-line, retrieving the tickets at the machine at Queen Street Station, Glasgow, was old hand. For whatever reason I could not do this on the app on my phone so I was glad to have another option which worked smoothly. The only stress on this voyage was that the platform number of where the train was to Edinburgh was listed with less than 5 minutes before departure and the platform was (of course) the furthest from where we were waiting. Usually the platform is list 10 minutes or more before departure and the crowds waiting rushed to the gates to insert tickets, and run through the gates to get to the platform. We made it with seconds to spare.

Today was cloudy but not cold, and not raining, perfect for just wandering around. Our first stop was City Art Centre right near the Waverly Station to see the Sandra George photography exhibit – very moving and impressive.

The narrow alleys called “Close” were fascinating. A website about Edinburgh provided the information that there are over 250 of these, most in the old city off the Royal Mile.

We walked partway down Mary’s King Close which led to an interesting area about Mary Queen of Scots, the Black Plague, and 17th century streets. We opted not to take a tour (there are tours all over and we didn’t even talk about whether we wanted to follow someone with a flag or umbrella). There were some interesting murals

I was interested in going to a restaurant for tea and we chose one in Parliament Square at Colonnades in the Signet Library. It was difficult to find – no sign outside, and we stopped at an information booth to ask directions – our GPS kept saying it was 30 feet or 50 feet – the information booth confirmed what the GPS was telling us – it was almost the next doorway from where we were, just no sign. Eagerly we walked in and asked for a table for 2. The response? We’re closed today – come back tomorrow. Disappointment – we were not going back “tomorrow” but that did remind me of a silly old song. It tells of someone who wanted to go to a town called Morrow today and asked at the train station and was told he should have gone to Morrow yesterday. It really is a song – search for it and you’ll find the Kingston Trio and Muppets recorded it (not together).

The streets were crowded and although less so than two days earlier when (I think) King Charles was here, and still reminded me of Mont St. Michel.

After a really pleasant afternoon wandering around, we decided to go back to Glasgow and returned to the train station, managing to catch an express train half and hour earlier than we thought! By the time we got back to Glasgow, it was pouring! We decided to return to what has become our favorite Italian restaurant, Il Pavone, conveniently located in Princes Square.

Tomorrow I’m off to the Mitchell Library in search of Juda Isak Landsman and Bluma Surgal.