New year in Edinburgh
Oh, I was postponing this post because I knew I'll have so much to write about...but for the sake of continuing LJ posting I wanted to finish this entry already...
My coach left on 30th around 11pm (I couldn't afford the train which would be much faster) and I was almost late for the bus because my local transport bus took almost an hour to get to Victoria coach station, and it didn't even stop exactly on the Victoria so I had to run to the station with my backpack...I was wheezing on my mouth how cold air was and how puffy I was. I finally get to the station and stand in line for exit and then realize that they moved my bus to other exit and I got in in the last moment...The driver asked me something and I didn't understand anything! Scottish accent! I asked him to say again with pleading face and after he did, it appeared that he asked me if I was by myself because they didn't have enough space for a couple. Phew, really in the last moment. So we left around 11...The seats were so awful :( I don't know is it a law in UK, but they have seat belts on coaches, and the buckle was rubbing against my back all 8 hours...and my 'neighbour' was making weird noises O.o
Ok, so we finally get to Edinburgh around 7:15, outside still dark and so cold. I decided to wait for the buses Catherine gave me, but the problem was, she gave me to streets where I can wait, and one of them, that had more buses, was closed, so I had to wait on the square where only one bus stops :( After waiting for over half an hour I decided to take the taxi. Driver was really nice, and showed me around while driving, what's interesting to see etc.
I came to Catherine's doors and she was already waiting. I got some warm tea and we both got into her bed right away and fell asleep. Later on, when we woke up we went for a little walk around the city, she showed me the castle, famous streets and pubs...And of course, I took photos just like a real tourist :P There were some guys in kilts (but I resisted the urge to take a photo or to lift them and peek underneath :P)
In the evening we went to find a nice spot where we can see fireworks, and came to the Edinburgh Castle. Some people were already drunk but everybody excited. What I found a bit weird, was, that there was no music. Just chatter of the people, freezing (it was -4 °C) and waiting for new year. And yeah, there was no countdown, so everybody checked mobiles very often.
Fireworks was nice, but nothing special.
Afterwords we went to a pub called Brass Monkey. Atmosphere was nice, relaxed. But since I had a long day behind me and Catherine wasn't really up for staying in the pub, we went home and to sleep.
The next day we went for a little hiking trip in Holyrood Park. The problem was that I didn't have appropriate footwear for it so my boots kept slipping on the mud while climbing uphill. I wasn't quite in the shape so I kept puffing and watching that I don't break a leg or something...Finally on the top, view was beautiful. A bit clouded by smog (or mist, couldn't really tell :P) but for the first day of the year, pretty nice weather.
When we went downhill (and mind you, I managed to climb all the way up without falling down in the mud) I slipped and before I could say 'Oooh' I was in horizontal position in the mud. I fell on pretty smooth surface :( I ripped my coat around armpits. So, ok, Cath and one woman helped to get up and clean my trousers (ha! from the mud!) and we moved on.
We went to the National Museum of Scotland which was really interesting, especially Celtic part of the history because Roman part is quite boring for me. Romans were everywhere! I have them enough at home, in Split!
And when we were leaving the museum I discovered that my boot has a HOLE in the sole!!! When did that happen?! When I fell? Anyways, a really BAD news, since Scotland is cold and WET and the water and coldness already started seeing inside. I was in such bad mood after that, that I didn't take any more photos of Edinburgh. I couldn't believe that shit. I bought those shoes maybe a month before the trip and it's not like I was stepping directly on some sharp rocks...
Cath took me to the cafe where it's said J.K.Rowling was writing part of Harry Potter books, Elephant's House. It's a nice cafe, but obviously popular, it was packed.
Well, then we went home, watched a film, Piano. Wow, I forgot how much I loved that film. Oooh and I got to see some of her brilliant work in real life! Yay!
The next day I was already leaving - the coach was departing at 11 o'clock. That morning we got up early and went together to the bus stop to catch a bus to coach station. It was long before the arrival of the bus so I decided to get a cab. Again. Oh, well, since she fed me and I didn't buy anything special I had money to spend. I came to bus stop and went to confirm the ticket when lady told me the bus is FULL. Next one? In 12 hours. Aaaargh! C. doesn't have a mobile phone and I really don't have anywhere to go for 12 hours (especially with a hole in the boot) so I cold to her home and her flatmate answered and told me to come although she's not home yet. So I went to the bus stop and waited and waited. Again. In the end I took a cab (again) because I was freezing. I came there, woman offered me some tea, I went to the room, sat on the floor in front of a little heater to dry my sock and foot and started reading a book. When C. came into the room she froze in the place. Of course, she didn't have idea I'm back in her room. I felt so bad - I know what it's like when you have limited space and time and then having someone over. :(
Anyway, we make lunch, go out again for a walk and in a cafe...Watch film again, this time Harry Potter and OTP :)
And finally in the evening she escorts me all the way to coach station, this time by BUS that finally arrived!! I was joking she came along with me just to make sure I really left, hahaha! :P
So I settled in my seat. I didn't bring any food but I knew there should be 2 'comfort' stops (breaks) at petrol stations so I wasn't worried. The lights started to switch off...all of tem except mine. Hmm. I ask the driver who was just passing by my seat if he could turn it off, I'd like to sleep and I was ill so my head hurt. He said he can't because the light is connected to their...fridge? which needs to work all the time during the drive. Oh man, I got stuck with worst seat.
Anyways, first break, only Costa Cafe at petrol station with meat sandwiches. Ok, I'll wait for the next one. There was NO next one. They didn't stop! I was hungry, sleep depraved and ill. And guess what then, we arrive to London one hour earlier. It was 5.30 am, pitch black outside, below zero temperature, everything still closed (no food) and no buses or tube. Especially because it's weekend. I kept walking to warm myself up and Victoria station finally started to come to life and I buy a sandwich which they dared to charge 3.50 pounds but tummy was at least a bit happier.
Then I go to the bus stop and had to wait for my bus about 20 minutes. I arrives finally and it's almost completely empty and so fucking freezing because it's the first one and hasn't warmed up yet. This bus wasn't direct line to where I live so I had to change at North Finchley where I can get the bus that stops 5-10 minutes from the house. It was around 7 o'clock. I wait and wait...and check the shedule. Guess what? Since it's weekend, the first bus is from 8 o'clock. I wanted to lie down on the cold concrete how miserable I was. I can't be out here for another hour!!
Ok, I remember I can catch another bus from another area close to this one. So I get on the bus that drives 24h and get there but then I remember that since January 1st they increased the prices for 10p which meant I don't have enough on my card. And at 7 o'clock am on weekend nothing is open to top up the card. So waiting again. Freezing again. Finally small corner shop opens and I top up and get on the bus. The way from the bus stop to the house takes maybe 5 minutes but to me it seems SO LONG that morning.
When I came into my room, I just threw everything down on the floor, took off my clothes, made my bed and fell asleep. It was around 8-8:30. I woke up at 6 pm with a nastly cough and headache and somehow feeling so depressed. I spent all weekend in my bed and with the tea.
For a moment I regretted whole trip but that quckly passed, because, you know, shit happens. Hopefully my next visit to Edinburgh (or any other trip for that matter!) will go smoothly and nice!
And the photos!
My coach left on 30th around 11pm (I couldn't afford the train which would be much faster) and I was almost late for the bus because my local transport bus took almost an hour to get to Victoria coach station, and it didn't even stop exactly on the Victoria so I had to run to the station with my backpack...I was wheezing on my mouth how cold air was and how puffy I was. I finally get to the station and stand in line for exit and then realize that they moved my bus to other exit and I got in in the last moment...The driver asked me something and I didn't understand anything! Scottish accent! I asked him to say again with pleading face and after he did, it appeared that he asked me if I was by myself because they didn't have enough space for a couple. Phew, really in the last moment. So we left around 11...The seats were so awful :( I don't know is it a law in UK, but they have seat belts on coaches, and the buckle was rubbing against my back all 8 hours...and my 'neighbour' was making weird noises O.o
Ok, so we finally get to Edinburgh around 7:15, outside still dark and so cold. I decided to wait for the buses Catherine gave me, but the problem was, she gave me to streets where I can wait, and one of them, that had more buses, was closed, so I had to wait on the square where only one bus stops :( After waiting for over half an hour I decided to take the taxi. Driver was really nice, and showed me around while driving, what's interesting to see etc.
I came to Catherine's doors and she was already waiting. I got some warm tea and we both got into her bed right away and fell asleep. Later on, when we woke up we went for a little walk around the city, she showed me the castle, famous streets and pubs...And of course, I took photos just like a real tourist :P There were some guys in kilts (but I resisted the urge to take a photo or to lift them and peek underneath :P)
In the evening we went to find a nice spot where we can see fireworks, and came to the Edinburgh Castle. Some people were already drunk but everybody excited. What I found a bit weird, was, that there was no music. Just chatter of the people, freezing (it was -4 °C) and waiting for new year. And yeah, there was no countdown, so everybody checked mobiles very often.
Fireworks was nice, but nothing special.
Afterwords we went to a pub called Brass Monkey. Atmosphere was nice, relaxed. But since I had a long day behind me and Catherine wasn't really up for staying in the pub, we went home and to sleep.
The next day we went for a little hiking trip in Holyrood Park. The problem was that I didn't have appropriate footwear for it so my boots kept slipping on the mud while climbing uphill. I wasn't quite in the shape so I kept puffing and watching that I don't break a leg or something...Finally on the top, view was beautiful. A bit clouded by smog (or mist, couldn't really tell :P) but for the first day of the year, pretty nice weather.
When we went downhill (and mind you, I managed to climb all the way up without falling down in the mud) I slipped and before I could say 'Oooh' I was in horizontal position in the mud. I fell on pretty smooth surface :( I ripped my coat around armpits. So, ok, Cath and one woman helped to get up and clean my trousers (ha! from the mud!) and we moved on.
We went to the National Museum of Scotland which was really interesting, especially Celtic part of the history because Roman part is quite boring for me. Romans were everywhere! I have them enough at home, in Split!
And when we were leaving the museum I discovered that my boot has a HOLE in the sole!!! When did that happen?! When I fell? Anyways, a really BAD news, since Scotland is cold and WET and the water and coldness already started seeing inside. I was in such bad mood after that, that I didn't take any more photos of Edinburgh. I couldn't believe that shit. I bought those shoes maybe a month before the trip and it's not like I was stepping directly on some sharp rocks...
Cath took me to the cafe where it's said J.K.Rowling was writing part of Harry Potter books, Elephant's House. It's a nice cafe, but obviously popular, it was packed.
Well, then we went home, watched a film, Piano. Wow, I forgot how much I loved that film. Oooh and I got to see some of her brilliant work in real life! Yay!
The next day I was already leaving - the coach was departing at 11 o'clock. That morning we got up early and went together to the bus stop to catch a bus to coach station. It was long before the arrival of the bus so I decided to get a cab. Again. Oh, well, since she fed me and I didn't buy anything special I had money to spend. I came to bus stop and went to confirm the ticket when lady told me the bus is FULL. Next one? In 12 hours. Aaaargh! C. doesn't have a mobile phone and I really don't have anywhere to go for 12 hours (especially with a hole in the boot) so I cold to her home and her flatmate answered and told me to come although she's not home yet. So I went to the bus stop and waited and waited. Again. In the end I took a cab (again) because I was freezing. I came there, woman offered me some tea, I went to the room, sat on the floor in front of a little heater to dry my sock and foot and started reading a book. When C. came into the room she froze in the place. Of course, she didn't have idea I'm back in her room. I felt so bad - I know what it's like when you have limited space and time and then having someone over. :(
Anyway, we make lunch, go out again for a walk and in a cafe...Watch film again, this time Harry Potter and OTP :)
And finally in the evening she escorts me all the way to coach station, this time by BUS that finally arrived!! I was joking she came along with me just to make sure I really left, hahaha! :P
So I settled in my seat. I didn't bring any food but I knew there should be 2 'comfort' stops (breaks) at petrol stations so I wasn't worried. The lights started to switch off...all of tem except mine. Hmm. I ask the driver who was just passing by my seat if he could turn it off, I'd like to sleep and I was ill so my head hurt. He said he can't because the light is connected to their...fridge? which needs to work all the time during the drive. Oh man, I got stuck with worst seat.
Anyways, first break, only Costa Cafe at petrol station with meat sandwiches. Ok, I'll wait for the next one. There was NO next one. They didn't stop! I was hungry, sleep depraved and ill. And guess what then, we arrive to London one hour earlier. It was 5.30 am, pitch black outside, below zero temperature, everything still closed (no food) and no buses or tube. Especially because it's weekend. I kept walking to warm myself up and Victoria station finally started to come to life and I buy a sandwich which they dared to charge 3.50 pounds but tummy was at least a bit happier.
Then I go to the bus stop and had to wait for my bus about 20 minutes. I arrives finally and it's almost completely empty and so fucking freezing because it's the first one and hasn't warmed up yet. This bus wasn't direct line to where I live so I had to change at North Finchley where I can get the bus that stops 5-10 minutes from the house. It was around 7 o'clock. I wait and wait...and check the shedule. Guess what? Since it's weekend, the first bus is from 8 o'clock. I wanted to lie down on the cold concrete how miserable I was. I can't be out here for another hour!!
Ok, I remember I can catch another bus from another area close to this one. So I get on the bus that drives 24h and get there but then I remember that since January 1st they increased the prices for 10p which meant I don't have enough on my card. And at 7 o'clock am on weekend nothing is open to top up the card. So waiting again. Freezing again. Finally small corner shop opens and I top up and get on the bus. The way from the bus stop to the house takes maybe 5 minutes but to me it seems SO LONG that morning.
When I came into my room, I just threw everything down on the floor, took off my clothes, made my bed and fell asleep. It was around 8-8:30. I woke up at 6 pm with a nastly cough and headache and somehow feeling so depressed. I spent all weekend in my bed and with the tea.
For a moment I regretted whole trip but that quckly passed, because, you know, shit happens. Hopefully my next visit to Edinburgh (or any other trip for that matter!) will go smoothly and nice!
And the photos!