Edinburgh - Rest Day - Mon 2 July

We've had a very leisurely day today. The day started in sunshine, but was short lived. By 10:30am it was raining, and that was the theme we were stuck with for most of the day, fluctuating between periods of heavy rain, showers, a bit of sun followed by heavy rain.

We walked to the Royal Mile - the original main street of the old Edinburgh that runs between Edinburgh Castle on the top end of the old original town, straight down one mile to Hollyrood Castle at the bottom end, where Queen Liz has been staying and where the new Scottish Parliament has also been constructed.

We went to the Castle, and found that the entire forecourt had been taken over with seating bleaches for the upcoming Edinburgh Military Tattoo. That was fine, although it totally blocked any views of the city below from any angle. However, when we arrived, the Castle Guards in full gear with automatic weapns and bayonets were parading in rehearsal for the big night. To help them, a full military band were also doing their marching practice, so we had a front row 'pew' (we stood) watching this magnificent display. The playing of the band (almost entirely brass) was excellent and a highlight for me personally. I thought it was curious that the Captain barking the orders in charge of Scotlands Edinburgh Castle Guard was definitely a cockney englishman. It just didn't seem to fit. Anyway......

For the rest of the day we spent up and down the 'Mile'. We did the organised tour of Mary King's Close, the now underground homes that were once the side alleys off the Mile, which was home to hundreds if not thousands of people, living in the cramped and sqallid conditions in the houses tucked away in the Closes that run at right angles down the steep sides off the Royal Mile. Some of these (including Mary King's Close) have been built completely over the top of by newer present day buildings, such as the City Chambers in the case of Mary King's. It was quite an insight into the living conditions of people of the 17th century. Many of course lost their lives in the Black plague that took nearly a third of the population of Edinburgh at the time.

We visited St Giles Cathedral, also on 'The Mile'. A visiting choir from Texas were rehearsing for a midday concert in the Cathedral, so that was a nice pleasure also. We dined at the underground Cathedral cafe, also a nice treat. Outside it was pelting with rain, so we spent time in shops just browsing. Its good being on bikes, because all the neat things that Julie would love to buy such as teapots, Tartan kilts, patchworking materials etc can't be fitted on the bike! We spent all day on the Mile, last of which was to visit the statue of the Greyfriar's Bobby, the little dog who was so devoted to his master, that he laid on his masters grave for fourteen years before he himself died, apparently found on his masters grave. Both are buried in the Greyfriars Church of Scotland church yard, which we visited. We went there just on closing time, so the staff took us in and gave us a very personal and fruitful introduction to their ministry and the history of their church.

It was a full day. We visited numerous other places of interest, including the Edinburgh Salvation Army. On the long walk home we came back through the main city gardens that are just simply amazing, and which lie at the bottom of the great Edinburgh Castle, from which angle we could hardly stop taking photos of the Castle perched way up so high. Every few steps threw a different and enchanting angle on this most magnificent of Scottish Castles, which incidentally has the oldest Church in Edinburgh within its significant walls.

We spent a final night with Norma and Dennis - such wonderful and gracious people whom we have come to love and respect very much. We leave early tomorrow for another great town - St Andrews - but on the way we have to cross one of the greatest bridges built in the 19th century - the great Forth Bridge that spans the Firth of Forth, built in 1883 with the loss of 71 lives. More about that later.

Thanks to those who leave messages. These greatly encourage us. Thanks to all for your prayers and words of support. They mean a great deal to us. We thank the Lord daily for His love, care and provision for us on what is to us a very significant pilgrimage and adventure. Love K&J