Training For The North

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All good things must come to an end and so it was that today was the day to leave our very generous hosts Don and Sandra to take the four hour journey north to our next stop Edinburgh. Having fulfilled our breakfast promise we took our last look over the back garden before making our final farewells for now and heading to the station.

Don and Sandra's Backyard	Don and Sandra's House

Ms V, Don & Sandra Farewells

Thankfully there were no tennis fans on this train so we didn’t have to endure standing room only this time which was just as well as we had our cases with us. The lack of fellow travellers let us better appreciate the relative attractiveness of the train we were on. It is interesting too how on each train, one of the carriages is designated the quiet carriage where mobiles and the like are discouraged.

Commuter Train To London

The Quiet Zone

Once into London we took a couple of tube trains to Kings Cross and joined the throngs there in wait for our First National Edinburgh service. Of course a comfort stop was in order though we were a little taken aback by the need to pay 30p to pee.

Looking around we noticed most fellow travellers were standing in a group craning their necks to take in the departure announcements that identified which platform each train was leaving from before a major stampede ensued in order to make sure that each passenger could find a luggage storage space near their seat. When our call came however we needn’t have worried as our train was definitely not full.

Kings Cross Platforms

Departing on time Mr P was delighted to find that our seat was at a table with an onboard powerpoint at the end. The situation was made even better when our netbook easily connected to the free wifi service provided on the train. Overall the seats and service was very comfortable and the four and a half hour journey flew by as quick as the countryside. Along the way our eye was caught by a couple of interesting sites including a pair of power stations and the scenic town of Berwick on Tweed.

Power Station From Train

Scottish Countryside

Berwick On Tweed

Arriving in Edinburgh just after 6pm we took out Michelle’s very descriptive directions and went in search of her car. Of course we got it wrong on the very first step so a mobile call was needed before we located each other and began the short trip to their digs in St Stephens Place. As with all cities Ms V and Mr P were glad that they had a chauffeur to get them around.

Arriving on the vicinity of our next accommodation M informed us that residents there about didn’t have access to regular cark parking spots but rather have to drive around the block hoping to get somewhere close by to leave the car that wasn’t in a timed space. Fortunately as we had bags to haul, Miche found a park just at the rear of the small walkway leading to their lodgings and we were soon in their cozy little apartment.

Divesting ourselves of our luggage and after a quick introduction to the backyard and other aspects of our latest stopping off point we hopped back in the car and headed out of town to the very breezy Firth of Forth bridge connecting Edinburgh with Fife. The famous railway bridge features commonly in images of Scotland and so served as a backdrop for a short movie, (only turn the sound on if you want to hear the strong wind) and a couple of other pics. The nearby road bridge is fast achieving more noteriety however as the cables that hold the span aloft are slowly snapping and the bridge has a quite forshortened life span.

Miche and Firth of Forth

Ms V & Mr P and Bridge

Finding some relief from the wind we headed indoors to the Orocco Pier restaurant where Miche had booked a table overlooking the water for a very tasty pasta and rissotto dinner before the other M, Mickey joined us having finished his sail out on the same waters. Back in the car it just a short drive home before we hit the fold out bad for some well earned rest.

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Tags: Edinburgh, train