Edinburgh

After the girls fell asleep Sunday night I climbed in the tub and enjoyed a LONG over due soak.  I washed my hair, read my book, and just had some alone time waiting for Greg and the boys to get home.  Well this picture reveals why I don't usually go to bed with wet hair- thank goodness for braids!

"After our first Ryan Air experience we decided to give ourselves a bit more cushion the next morning. Everything seemed to go smoothly as we checked in and made it through security with ample time to spare. Things turned south when it was time to board. Your bags are too big. Yeah right. No seriously. No seriously. All of the bags are too big. You’ll have to pay to check them. Admittedly I should have reread the details on my ticket, but you’d think maybe the ticket agent could have mentioned when we checked in with 8 people and we each had large bags and our tickets included checked bags that we should check our bags. Duh! We had only had to pay for Lisa’s suitcase, not the backpacks when we gate checked it in Manchester as we had been able to take all the backpacks on the plane. But not this time. There goes another $300 and my temperature rises a few more degrees. We were of course the last ones on the plane. The people of Gibraltar wouldn’t take my wallet sitting abandoned on a bus, but Alamo and Ryan Air won’t hesitate to gouge me at every chance—they cost me more than what I had in my wallet! I’m convinced the agents get a commission on baggage fees. On the plane an attendant asked if I spoke Spanish—just a bit. When I found out what he wanted I volunteered Natali to translate for the people sitting in front of us in the exit row. I took a picture of her translating and posted about how Ryan Air didn’t have bi-lingual attendants in Spain and didn’t offer to pay Natali for her help but gladly charged me fees. Ryan Air gets a big L but Edinburgh earned a big W."

"The Europcar agent at the car rental was so nice he talked me into a large van rather than two small cars. I’m pretty sure it cost more than he told me it would but Lisa was pleased not to drive again and at this point in the trip I had given up on my budget." 

"We headed straight to the Castle and parked below it. The walk up gave us a glimpse of what was to come. I grabbed a couple of sandwiches to share while we waited in line and then ... we meandered through the castle grounds. The highlight was probably Honors of Scotland—a crown and sword worn by Mary Queen of Scots and the Scottish royalty for 500+ years."

Emmy wowed us with all of her memorized facts about Mary Queen of Scots and Natali pulled out some random pieces of info from her trip here 6 years before.

The castle was interesting and worth a stop but it was crowded, cold, and windy-the kids were ready when we decided to be done.

Kate did lots of research to help us find the best Harry Potter spots in the city - who's hands are closest to the same size as JK Rowling?

She definitely wrote here - but it caught fire a few years ago and is closed now.

Lily had to get a suii boost to touch the Greyfriars Bobby's nose.

While the rest of us searched for Tom Riddle and McGonagall headstones at the Greyfriars Kirk Cemetery Mack and Natali enjoyed a chance to rest their feet and chat.

We had to take a quick walk up Victoria Street to see the colorful houses that may have inspired Diagon Alley.

Kate found this Harry Potter store and had to check it out.  They had some pretty cool stuff inside.

"We decided to share one last family dinner. A table for 8 wasn’t going to happen so we split into two groups—Natali and Andrew joined us since they would be bidding farewell for almost 26 months. Hearing Mack laugh with the littles at their table as they passed an imaginary ball was one of the best memories of the trip."

This table enjoyed a meal of several appetizers and everyone was happy.  They were a bit loud but they were cracking me up with their games and just having fun together.

Kate needed a pic with her highland cow!

"Fittingly we said goodbye at a parking garage. Lisa cried in the van as Natali and Andrew shared a final embrace. We took her to the train station to send her off to London."

Gonna be a while before all 8 of us are together again 😢 but I'm glad we ended with a bang.  We drove a few hours to Aberdeen (Andrew may have pulled off a road side pee break) and enjoyed 3 hotel rooms and some much needed space and rest!