York and Edinburgh

Thw Walled City of York

The Wheatsheaf, Corbridge Northumberland

The Royal Military Tattoo, Edinburgh

Left York around 10am so that we didn’t repeat arriving as late in Edinburgh as in York. Decided to get off the A1 and meandered across country on the A68 through the beautiful countryside in the counties of Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland. We had lunch in a typical English Pub in Corbridge Nothumberland. At this stage we were only 99 miles to Edinburgh, but we wanted to see Alnwick Castle also in Northumberland, so veered right and headed for Alnwick which was about an hour away towards the coast. Once there we were still 94 miles from Edinburgh. Had our photo stop at the castle and then set out in earnest for Edinburgh. From Alnwick to Edinburgh the road follows the coast and the Firth of the Forth into Edinburgh.

Arrived in Edinburgh at about 6.15pm and it then took 30mins to go about 2 kms. There were so many buses and so many pedestrians. Finally arrived at The George where we were staying to find that our Tattoo tickets had been delivered (this had been a worry for us) but there was no reservation for our friends Dave and Jill. A saga unfolded where the Scottish affiliate to our tour company informed them that they were booked at another hotel. Ridiculous as the bookings were made together. They got a room but further correspondence with some travel companies will ensue.

Anyway we decided not to dwell on the drama and headed out for dinner. After dinner and a few bracing drinks we started the long climb up to the castle for the 10.30pm performance of the Tattoo. Can’t say there was too much information on where to go and not a lot of signage. Anyway the climb wasn’t as bad as I had feared (maybe the gym has helped). Found our seats and thoroughly enjoyed the Tattoo. Found the finale very moving with Scotland the Brave and Auld Lang Syne bringing back memories of my Mum and Dad.

We then headed back down the hill to the hotel and got to bed at 12.45am.