100 days

[turtlemichael]

And more Glasgow

University of Glasgow and the Kelvin River


Hunterian Museum


Hillhead

 

[VPS]

The first time I went to Glasgow I didn't like it but went back a few years ago and loved it - would happily go again (and I might in September)

 

[turtlemichael]

Do it! It has many attractions.

 

[turtlemichael]

So on to Edinburgh we go. It's a Cross Country train from Glasgow to Edinburgh and it goes on eventually to Penzance in Cornwall - 12 hours after leaving Glasgow. I wonder how many, if any, are going all the way? The First Class is the best we have experienced so far mainly because it is only about a quarter full for the Glasgow-Edinburgh leg. Still, it is a struggle to find room for two suitcases on the ridiculously small rack.

It is just a short walk from Edinburgh Waverley to the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton but it is very busy fighting our way through the throngs. It will be a lot busier in a couple of weeks when the Festival and the Tattoo commence.

Weather on our first two days here has turned out to be mixed - mainly wet but now it has turned pleasantly warm and sunny.

Looking towards the Firth of Forth.

 

[turtlemichael]

National Portrait Gallery


James McAvoy at the Portrait Gallery


Modern Art Gallery


American tourists

 

[turtlemichael]

Modern Art gallery grounds




Princes Gardens


The sun is out at the Walter Scott memorial

 

[turtlemichael]

The sun is out and it is warm - at least by Scottish standards. It is a pleasant 21.5C today and sunny so what better to do than leave Edinburgh if only for a day trip! We decided on the spur of the moment to get the train to Stirling primarily to see the Castle. 9 pounds 50 day return. It's about an hour from Edinburgh across pretty country inland from the south side of the Firth of Forth. The town of Stirling itself is pleasant and quite hilly. We have seen a lot of Scotland in the past but have never been here before. I'd recommend it as a good destination for a day trip.


Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling where James V1 was crowned as a one year old as King of Scotland before being crowned years later in Westminster Abbey as King James 1 of England.


From Stirling Castle.


Wallace Memorial from Stirling Castle.


Stirling Castle


Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is well worth a visit.

 

[turtlemichael]

Stirling Castle

 

[turtlemichael]

Stirling Castle







The train station at Stirling.

 

[turtlemichael]

5 days at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton have come to an end. I have very mixed feelings. First, it's location is great 5 minutes walk from Waverley station and half a block from the Royal Mile. Second, the renovation completed is reasonably good. Everything is still relatively fresh and looks new though it does have a feeling of "on the cheap" about it.

I was staying using points (175K. for 5 nights) and I didn't expect or get an upgrade from the base king room. The room was more spacious than I anticipated. The criteria for me is can we open two large suitcases with falling over them or each other. This room was certainly big enough. But the furnishings were cheapish, as shown in the pic below. The bathroom was tiny but again on the positive side the double glazing window worked really so well we could hear nothing from Northbridge just below.

The major failing in my eyes was consistently poor service. On none of the days was our room serviced before 5.00pm and then it was a rushed job - like 5 minutes. It was common to have to chase up water, shampoo, tea bags etc

The executive lounge looked smart but is one of the weirder ones I've been in. It is very small and it was often not possible to get a seat at a clean table. Twice we asked the attendant to pull himself away from watching the TV and clear a table. There was no supervision visible. Evening food was a cheese board, a soup and a hot bain marie of something - fish, pork or veal usually. No salads or anything to go with it. The booze selection included beer, wine and basic spirits. In the mornings it was pretty much standard Hilton breakfast fare.

We did have one breakfast in the restaurant. It was a chaotic event for not only us. There was virtually no staff and long waits for anything - a table to be cleared, a pot of tea, ordered eggs etc.

Would I stay here again? Not for hard cash until I'd read some improved reports.

 

[turtlemichael]

Anyone into atmospheric dining and seafood, particularly oysters and mussels, should give the Cafe Royal in West Register Street a try. We had a wonderful night eating Fairlie oysters and drinking some decent French whites.

 

[turtlemichael]

Another train trip and it is down to Leeds on Virgin. Their trains are better than their planes! A couple of days are being spent visiting friends and then it is further south to the big smoke at the weekend
.
The OH and I had 3 months in Leeds in 2003 which included a sabbatical at the Leeds General Infirmary. Sadly, the city looks a bit down at heel but it is great to catch up with friends.


Very decent meat dinner at a Brazilian restaurant behind the Hilton.


We aren't staying at the Doubletree but it has a nice location.



On the Leeds to Liverpool Canal

 

[turtlemichael]

A friend has a lovely house and a magnificent English garden at Pudsey near Leeds.

 

[turtlemichael]

And more Pudsey garden photos.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for the picture updates and commentary.

 

[samh004]

Just caught up on your journeys and looks great so far!

 

[turtlemichael]

It was a sunny morning so we decided to do a day trip to York about 35 minutes away. I impressed my local friends with a cheap £2.40 train fare I found online. York is great to wander round particularly on a sunny day. This was clearly not a secret to what I estimate to be 8 million+ tourists, mainly Americans and Chinese, who happened to be there that day.

The highlight is York Minster. If you are in to Gothic architecture and stained glass it is the place to go. They now charge £10.00 to get in which has the effect of reducing the crowds inside and making it a more pleasant experience. I'm not at all religious but I still have trouble with the concept of churches charging to get in even for gawkers like me! Wait until we get to Westminster Abbey!






Some of the oldest stained glass in England The five sisters from mid-13th century

 

[turtlemichael]

York is more than a Minister.




At the market in the Shambles.


A very good charcuterie platter to keep as going (oh, and a glass of red).

 

[turtlemichael]

Three nights at Hilton Leeds City was probably enough. We booked a suite to get some room and that is what we got. The pluses of the hotel are its location next to Leeds Station and its proximity to the new Granary Wharf area with its many restaurants and bars. We also liked all our interactions with the staff who were universally helpful and pleasant. The breakfasts in the restaurant were beyond usual Hilton standards.

However, the property was under major maintenance - no pool in operation, one lift out causing long delays and no escalators. Getting out of the hotel required considerable planning. The public rooms and the suite were very dated and had the worst bed (a bit like the foothills of the Great Dividing Range) I've experienced. It all desperately needed a makeover.

 

[turtlemichael]

On to London for 10 days. We also have side trips to Stratford and Cambridge. London is mainly to catch up with friends, see some cricket at The Oval if the weather allows and see a few plays.

Having lived here for 10 years we know it pretty well. It is however the first stay at the Hilton London Bankside and first impressions are excellent. I'll put up a few photos when we get closer to the end of the stay.




Borough Market


Busy Borough Market


Choir practice in Southwalk Cathedral


She doesn't look too happy - I suppose she has a good reason