Chris & Kelly's Travel Adventures

Disembarkment Day - Southampton to Edinburgh.  

Today begins our travels without aid of an official tour.  Our first 12 days were aboard the Princess Regal Cruise ship and most tours were organized through them.  We all agreed there were things we wanted to see that wasn't possible during the cruise, so we added on another week of travels and for better or worse I was the travel guide.

We started our day disembarking from the cruise ship in Southampton, England.  We took a taxi to the Southampton train station and took a train to Waterloo Station in London.  We then took a taxi to Kings Cross Station (we could have taken the tube between stations but, we' ve never traveled it before and it looked complicated and we were traveling with lots of luggage) .  After a breakfast break and some Harry Potter photo opportunity, we then boarded a train for Edinburgh, Scotland.  The train was comfortable, we had facing seats across a table and some of the countryside views were very pretty.  The gentle motion of the train put most of us to sleep.

We arrived at Waverly Station in Edinburgh, got a taxi to take us to the Travelodge on Central Rose Street where we had reservations.  No problem checking in, and gave Dad & Sandy first choice of rooms (I assumed incorrectly that they were identical).  By the time I noticed we had a small, but comfortable room, I found out their room was basically a closet!! No bed side tables, no where to sit night time medicine, glass of water, glasses, fan...whatever.  I would have preferred they switch rooms with us, but we had all moved into our rooms at that point.  I have to say this: They never blamed me for stuff that went wrong and also never complained, but I felt bad never the less. I was trying to make an enjoyable, memorable trip for my parents and Murphy's Law kept kicking my butt. 

*There was a little bit of role reversal on this trip.  My dad has always been the one we looked to for direction in most situations, yet in this instance I was playing leader.  Many times I was trying to fix some snafu we ran into, but Dad was always concerned that I was doing ok and having a good time. No matter what, we just wanted to enjoy our time together, and I think we did.

Harry Potter Store and 9 3/4 Platform

Dinner at the Rose St Brewery

We ordered drinks at the bar downstairs, while waiting for a table at the upstairs restaurant.  Its been a long day and Sandy snapped this funny picture of the guys.  It seems like Chris has too many beer choices and Dad is either bored out of his mind or about to drift off.  I'm not a big alcohol drinker, but I found this hard cider that Sandy and I both loved- Rekorderlig. As of August 1st its available in some locations in the U.S.  The nearest to me is Vancouver, WA...about a 2 hour drive.  Maybe I'll take a day trip and stock up for awhile!.

We finally got seated upstairs and the waitress comes up and introduces herself and asks is there is any allergies.  If I don't see coconut on a menu I usually don't mention my allergy, but since we are in a foreign country and my epi-pen is at the hotel...I tell her.  Her response suprised all of us.  First the manager came out to talk to me and have me sign a waiver.  Then they bring dishes and utensils on a separate tray that have been washed, santized and wrapped individually.  Sandy said I was being treated like royalty.  I didn't expect special treatment, but did appreciate their extra effort.

I had the Steak Pale Ale Pie (left) Chris had Wild Boar & Chorizo Pie (right).  Sandy had Chicken and Portabell0 Pie (bottom left) and Dad had a Stovie (beef, root vegetable stew)

In case you are wondering:

1. Cullen Skink = smoked haddock chowder

2. Haggis, Neeps and Tatties = meat paste w/oatmeal in sausage casing w/turnips and potatoes on the side

3. Balmoral Chicken = chicken breast stuffed with haggis and wrapped in bacon

4. Salmon- just local scottish salmon

5. Cranachan- scottish dessert (almost like a parfait with raspberries, oats, whip cream and whiskey

I tried all of them except Balmoral Chicken.