Holiday trappings

It was a gorgeous, unbelievably mild day yesterday in Edinburgh. So what do we do when the weather is nice? GO OUTSIDE!! And not only outside, but to the Christmas Market, which I've been thus far avoiding due to crowds. I met up with a couple of friends and we strolled through Edinburgh's Christmas market for a short while, although pretty much just long enough to try mulled beer (that's a new one!) and ooh and ahh at the carousel. (I know I've cheated and reused an image from the other day, but I like that you can get a good idea of the layout of the market.)

Across from The Dome (pictured below with their snow machine on the roof! and by far the best Christmas decorations in New Town) we found a small church with banners strung up outside for the fourth annual Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival! It's up through 28 December at the church of St. Andrew's and St. George's West. And inside there were a few dozen Christmas trees decorated for various charities, businesses and families. It was really sweet with a sort of hometown appeal, and I loved looking at everyone's creative take on tree decorating. All proceeds went to charity, and it was just kind of cool thing to see all the handmade ornaments, photographs, and frilly bits 'n bobs.




We stopped for lunch at a pub on a pedestrian shopping street in New Town called Rose Street. I had an Aberdeen angus burger (yum) but there is a peculiarly British thing with cheese on burgers where it's just shredded and not melted (not yum) but the chips were good and they had deep fried breaded mushrooms with garlic mayo so that was the real treat. And mulled wine, of course!



Today I'm mailing out a special package for my dad, whose birthday is the day after Christmas. I'm so excited to get home with all of the gifts I've accumulated for everyone, and do a belated Christmas celebration with my family once we reunite just after the new year. And today I'm also preparing for my departure to London! Tomorrow morning! I can't wait to get to England, and I'm really stoked for the train ride.

There will be plenty more where that came from!

Happy weekend!
Kate x

A winter walk: Edinburgh Castle

PICTURES!!!

Haha. It's been a little while, but I've finally managed to get through the photos of Edinburgh Castle that I took during the weekend of St. Andrew's Day when Historic Scotland opened a number of its major destinations free for the day. Still had to secure one of a limited number of tickets, but it was totally worth it to not have to pay the (to my mind) ridiculous cost to get in. Not to mention they always charge you more for coffee and things once you're in!

Anyway. Let's rewind and not be so cynical. It was a gorgeous visit. You get an idea of what the light is like here right now... the photo above was taken around 10am and the sun is very low in the sky. The truth is, the sun stays really low in the sky all day, and sets around 3:30. It makes for some pretty contrasty photos, which is my only real complaint about it on this day in particular! Otherwise it was gorgeous and clear so therefore faaaabulous for view-from-the-castle shots!! I think I took far more of those than I did of the castle itself.

Edinburgh Castle is a working military garrison, but it also houses a couple of small museums and memorials as well as the Great Hall, the royal chambers and St. Margaret's Chapel, which is the oldest building in the castle, built in the 12th century. Of course it abounds with cafes and souvenir shops as well, but you can hardly avoid those.

Anyway. It was so nice to finally visit the place, because since it's literally only a block away, I had no real excuse for not getting there until now, other than the cost... But I'll be honest, of course I would have paid to go see it anyway. Ya just gotta, y'know?



In other news, the term is officially over. I've still got an essay to work on over the break (and would be smart to work on another additionally, but I'm not feeling too smart right now apparently), but it's so very nice to not have to go to class or meetings or seminars right now. I'm headed to London in just a little less than a week, and shortly after that... it's homeward bound to Wisconsin for about a week and a  half! Looking forward to seeing some loved ones and hugging my cat and going to a coffee shop where the baristas and half the customers know my name. OH and of course my very pregnant sister, whose little bun I'm hoping will arrive while I'm home. Here's to little niece or nephew arriving a few days early!

So much to look forward to!

Anyway. I've been sucked helplessly into the thrall of season three of Game of Thrones, which I'm only finally catching up on. Drinking a ton of tea, enjoying some free time, hanging out in coffee shops, and actually hoping a little bit of snow will come eventually. I mean, did I just say that? I see all the Christmas decorations, but it was 52 degrees here today. What do you make of that, Wisconsin?

Edinburgh Christmas from the castle:



And a really wonderful video that's been making the rounds here in town, of Edinburgh Christmas and the Star Flyer that I seriously have to get on soon:


Floating over Edinburgh from Mo Thomson on Vimeo.

Cheers!
Kate x