Forty-eight hours in Edinburgh

Our mini, six day holiday started with forty-eight hours in Edinburgh - Wednesday evening to late afternoon on Friday. We thought it would be enough time to re-acquaint ourselves with the city, and maybe catch a Fringe show or two, but how much can you fit in to forty-eight hours? Well ... more if you can decide what exactly to do.









We went away with no firm plans, and certainly no idea of what we'd like to see on the Fringe, so wasted a lot of time 'just looking'. My daughter went for less time a couple of weeks ago, with definite plans and tickets bought in advance, and went to seven or eight shows, and met up with friends in the gaps. We wandered aimlessly, only saw one free music event at the Museum, and discovered afterwards that we'd stayed down the road (literally!) from a friend.







Still, we wandered the length of the Royal Mile from Holyrood to the castle

ate some marvelous food - hot smoked salmon and baked potato at a pop-up restaurant on George Street, and pasta (and sundae) at Taste of Italy.

wandered around the city at night, when it looks magical, and caught the fireworks which round of the military Tattoo each evening

Aberlady Bay

went to the seaside, near Aberlady where we were staying, and Portobello which is hardly ten minutes from the centre of twon

Portobello

certainly got to see our share of free on-street performers, even if we didn't catch a proper performance

drove round Holyrood Park and walked a short way for views out towards North Berwick Law (the conical hill in the distance, left), and over Holyrood Palace (below). It's extraordinary to find such a wild open place slam bang in the middle of a city; it's easy to believe you're in the middle of the countryside.

and eventually we got to the Museum, to hear a harp (clarsach) recital, and say hi to the Giant deer (no trip to Edinburgh's complete without seeing him)

Victoria Street

and then had a brief wander round the Old Town, with its buildings seemingly piled up on one another - this is my favourite area of Edinburgh, where the past still seems alive and with us despite the crowds on the streets

the castle from Grassmarket

I wished we'd had more time to stay and explore, but more than that I wish we'd planned before our visit. Knowing the city well, we expected to be able to take things as they came, but we lost too much time unable to decide what to do. It was good to be back though - and next time I'll be prepared.