July 21, 2018 - Edinburgh, Scotland, from one ship to another

Today we anchored just off South Queensferry and tendered in to the dock where we caught a bus to Edinburgh. We toured around the old city and what they call the new city (founded in the 1700's). We drove past the First Minister of Scotland's home (this would be the 10 Downing Street of Scotland)

Security is not as noteable here as in England, was tempted to walk up and ring the doorbell

This would be considered the Shaughnessy area of Edinburgh

We continued along the busy road called the Royal Mile which leds up the Edinburgh Castle where the bus found a place to stop and let us off

This was the view outside of my bus window (but technically I guess we were unloading)

As you can see the streets were a little busy

Just a short climb to the Castle

And here we are finally at the top in the centre courtyard. The Scotish Crown jewels are just behind us in that building, only an hour and a half away in this queue

As we only had 40 minutes left on this part of the tour we had to forgo the viewing of the crown jewels but did manage to pop our heads into a few other areas of the castle. Our daughter, Samantha, is a Mary, Queen of Scots fan so off to Mary's place we went first.

This is Mary's bedroom 

And this is Mary

From there we headed to the great hall

The Great hall

Which has a cozy fireplace

And all the tools necessary to sugest to guests when it is time to leave

Outside, we got to see a 180 degree view of the city below

And we got to see another cannon

And what the view of the city looks like from that cannon

From Edinbugh Castle we jumped back on the bus to head to another famous attraction, the Queen's Royal Yacht Britannia. Along the way I could help but notice the sign below.

I'm not sure what language the Scot's speak but it sure isn't english

So in 1986 Vancouver had Expo 86. At that time The Queen arrived for the opening and used the Royal Yacht Britannia as her home away from home. The yacht of course arrived a couple of weeks before she did and I was lucky enough to be invited aboard. 32 years later, I got that opportunity again.

Welcome aboard the Royal Yacht Britannica

Love, exciting and new. Come aboard, we’re expecting you. The Love Boat…

Let's start our tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia

Maybe not the same grand staircase as the Titanic but nice all the same

This is the Queen's bedroom

And this is Prince Phillips

If we were to be invited aboard, this is were we would sleep (the only "queen" size bed of the yacht)

Guests would be entertained here

With perhaps a little music (there was also a Royal Marine 3 piece band aboard)

And then dinner for up to 32 guests

And after everyone left, the Queen and Prince Phillip could have a nightcap before retiring for the night

Meanwhile, down below the crew also could sit back and relax in one of three lounges (dare I say pubs). There was a lounge for the officers, one for the yachtsman and a third one for I guess anyone else who didn't qualify for the first two.

This is the Yachtsman's lounge

32 years ago I had my butt parked here and here I am again

Another view of the Yachtsman's "Man Cave"

Following the bedroom theme above, here is where the officers slept

And the rest of the crew got accomodations like this

Heading deeper into the ship we found a full medical setup

And laundry

And the cleanest engine room I ever saw.

From the Yoyal Yacht we boarded our bus and headed back to port were we got on our not so royal tender back to the ship

Tomorrow is a day at sea and all we're thinking about is sleeping in.

From the Queen's ship back to our Princess ship