tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22411507645479526092024-02-18T22:34:57.444-05:00Incessant Musings<b> <i>We started this blog journey as a family of 3! The Cheeky Brat ruled the roost! Now we are fast plumetting towards the teens! Tootsie the little Pixie keeps us entertained with her unique spirited ways! And the parents... well we stumble along in this journey as green as when we first embarked on this journey!!</i>
Come join us on our journey of discovery! My life, universe and everything else in the bargain </b>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-54808904103419866842023-03-08T18:03:00.003-05:002023-03-08T18:03:18.415-05:00My introspections on Women's day<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It is International </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Women's</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> Day and a day for
us to celebrate women. Every year for me this is a day of introspection, it is
a day to celebrate how far we have come. But it is also a day to remind
ourselves the work is not done yet, we have a long way to go. I look around me
today and see other strong independent women. Leaders and thinkers that are
paving the way for future generations. When I think about the work we have to do
there are some things top of mind.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Celebrate "Woman"</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A few years ago I tried to write about the
feminism movement and my disagreement with some of the messages coming out.
Unfortunately I think I came out sounding bitter and unclear. So am going to
try this again. Women have had to fight long and hard for basic rights. </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">It's</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> been an uphill battle but sometimes we
forget the difference between equity and all things equal. No one has the right
to determine what a woman can or </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">can't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> do, but at the same time a woman should
be able to be herself. Women have inherent differences in qualities and
abilities. Let us celebrate that difference. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Diversity and Inclusion starts at home</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lately we have been seeing a lot of companies
come out with D & I initiatives. That is something to be really proud of.
But it should make its way to your house. How do you bring equity to home? How
do you erase the gender stereotypes from your </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">subconscious</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">? If there are 2
adults in a household, regardless of gender they are equally responsible to
keep the house, manage finances and raise a family. You cannot "help"
someone do what you are responsible for. Let's think about these
micro-aggressions in our lives and how we can correct them?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Penetration in society</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">While we all talk about feminism and women's
liberation I have always felt a gross </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">misrepresentation</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> in the ranks. I have
lately been reading and educating myself about more deep rooted issues. As I
have done this I have realized feminism or equality is talked about more from the
views of the "elitists" today. I never had to fight for the right to
be educated, right to work, or the right to make my own decisions. I never had
to deal with domestic abuse, or even more basic things like poverty. It is easy
for me to talk about Women Equality while there are others that are still
trying to get basic rights. While the conversations we are having are great and
essential, we need to think about how do we penetrate deeper into the society?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Create a rEvolution</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I see this already happening. Every
generation seems to be doing a little better than the previous. My mother
wanted to be an engineer, but in her day women in engineering were frowned
upon! For me there was no question about my right to get the education I
wanted. I see the next generation couples being more equitable in family roles
than my generation is. So now its time to think about our children and how we
take this further. I talk to my son about gender equity a lot and share my
thoughts so he has a </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">womans</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">' perspective. This way my hope is that he can be
more empathetic in his role as an adult. I talk to my daughter about the
importance of grabbing every opportunity and how much women in the past fought
for these rights. I also talk to her about celebrating her differentiator as a
women and leveraging that to her best abilities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">As I write this I know we as a society will
get there, we will continue to move ahead. Years back when men talked in
support of feminism they either sounded condescending or patronizing. Today I
see more of a willingness to introspect and look within. I see this generation
is more pliable and willing to change. And that is great progress! Together we
can establish that true equity to all humanity and yet celebrate those
differences that make us human! Happy International Women's' day!</span></p></div>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-199629421980484672022-11-08T11:22:00.009-05:002022-11-09T17:36:02.321-05:00From the Couch to the Rim!!<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolJptb5q5myzyHWj-9tITuz68cYIgy40xLDqdTodwpH5FdFb7TTAm2rCZaGsEddLhzyZrwzg40iku2JaZEfKxxNWoASpIKWVoR887W4vFyRO7O_q_dqm0k0F8Bft413vBusLstEPzDEs7Lds7zG1st1ETaxb5-E7ygE2lRarBDHUUiyM0zCL_GirJ/s4032/IMG_7817.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolJptb5q5myzyHWj-9tITuz68cYIgy40xLDqdTodwpH5FdFb7TTAm2rCZaGsEddLhzyZrwzg40iku2JaZEfKxxNWoASpIKWVoR887W4vFyRO7O_q_dqm0k0F8Bft413vBusLstEPzDEs7Lds7zG1st1ETaxb5-E7ygE2lRarBDHUUiyM0zCL_GirJ/s320/IMG_7817.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>As I stood on the rim of this masterpiece and took a peek, my heart pounding so loudly, I couldn't believe what was happening! I was embarking on the much anticipated adventure of my life! I couldn't wait to experience this walk of a life time! This is what I had been waiting for, I had prepared for months! I was ready! I couldn't sleep the night before in anticipation. I have been to the canyon a few times before, but I have never hiked! Not even a short trail!</div><div><br /></div><div>Hiking was more of a recent hobby of mine! Or focussed hiking! I have walked up and down trails before occasionally. I have carried my kids and done these walks on many occasions. But I did not own a hydration pack till 3-4 years back or ever bring out my hiking pole till 12 months back! Then COVID happened. With COVID and nothing else to do M and I took to long walks every day, walks around the neighborhood soon turned into 6-7 mile rendevouz every morning! Living in Georgia there is no dearth of trails with natural beauty, so soon we took to exploring the various trails in GA. I love running, so slowly I started to run these trails when I had time to go off on my own! </div><div><br /></div><div>My family, aunts, uncles, cousins, sister, BIL are all hikers and runners. All on Strava driving me crazy with their stats. And if nothing I am competitive! So I started dreaming! Time to prove my mettle! I cant be left behind can I? So when a friend asked me if I wanted to hike the canyon I jumped both feet in! I am not sure if my friends were even considering becoming the mules themselves as they continued to remind me all year! But I roped them in! The trip was booked and I started dreaming! </div><div><br /></div><div>If you know me you know I am a planner. And I am known to be enthusiastic to a fault! So when someone said Grand Canyon rim to rim I ordered a weighted vest and took to the mountains! I started off at 12 pounds and trudged up and down hills. Soon the 12 became 16 and 20 and the vest became a backpack with sand bags and water! And the backpack grew to 42-45 pounds in weight! On weekends we would be up, at 5 AM driving to the north GA mountains in freezing February to hike with fellow crazies! Having equally crazy friends helped! My love for the mountains and outdoors grew! And so did my craziness! I joined FB groups, bought books and read blogs. I researched hiking the canyon and the Appalachian trail (after all that is in my backyard)!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I learnt the stair stepper is great tool! Now that was great news, because guess who loves the stair stepper! I took to it like possessed. I climbed 100-150 floors at least 2-3 times a week and loved it! The pace grew, the timing improved and my family thought I had completely lost my mind! Every weekend Cheeky and M would tell me that I was already ready and I was just insane! But I was enjoying the journey. M for his part joined me on many hikes and bike rides, it gave us an opportunity to do something we both loved, bond together and keep our marriage intact 😏 As the weather grew warmer, our hikes started earlier. It helped that I live a mile from the 2nd tallest hill in Urban ATL. Albeit this hill (or mountain as the southerners call it! The Californian in me refuses to call it a mountain), is all paved and houses a neighborhood! Sweat Mountain is the name! I sometimes ran up and down this hill, but at other times made a spectacle trudging up and down with my backpack!</div><div><br /></div><div>As the weeks and months disappeared and Oct drew closer I prayed for anti-jinx! After all the prep I did not want anything to go wrong! A light twinge in the foot and I found I was starting Plantar Fasciitis, but that too did pass! I went to a conference the week before the hike and while others drank and partied, I hydrated! I was in full anticipation by now. I could barely get through the week. I didn't sleep for at least 2 days before the hike! But nothing prepared me for the beauty that awaited me!</div><div><br /></div><div>It was important to me to be well prepared. I believe that the preparation allowed me to focus not on my ability to do the hike or any aches and pains! Instead it allowed me to focus on experiencing the Canyon! We took 4 days to do 24 miles. I think this is easily done in 2 days if you train well, but just the privilege of experiencing the canyon for 4 days is amazing! 4 days where we unplugged. 3 nights where we slept under the stars with just the tent in between me and the sky! 4 days where we were one with a land that's million of years old!</div><div><br /></div><div>I liked to walk ahead of my group whenever possible. Mainly because I wanted to savor the anticipation. I would look forward to every turn we took and the change in scenery that lay ahead at each turn! And it never once disappointed! Every turn was a phenomenon in itself! Many a times I thanked God. I felt so grateful and privileged to be there, to be able to experience this phenomenon in person! For the journey!</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes the sound of camaraderie with my dear friends was so welcome! We sang bollywood songs loudly, teased each other, enjoyed dipping our feet in the cold creek after a days walk, enjoyed a nice cold lemonade at the basin! Or simply talked and bonded during the walks, or in the camp, or lying in the tent late evenings waiting for sleep to engulf us.</div><div><br /></div><div><span><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Fira Sans, Ubuntu, Oxygen, Oxygen Sans, Cantarell, Droid Sans, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Lucida Grande, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At the end, the hike and the canyon was phenomenal. I can't wait to do it again, maybe a different experience next time. I have some lessons that I will take away and learn from. I certainly have Canyonitis! I can't wait to take M along and the kids if they will come, and can't wait for them to experience this for themselves! </span></span></span>I leave you with some pictures from the hike!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI0wOYVB9srrW1vPpLCutxfkBo9ihuJKNqsg3_7SOT9eAGp_GTKOZD2iO9kg2ZmmCnSQ95uETnK4Lmi8Q5cocd_zqdn0-r01WFP8xtCZESekTCFa1yj5W16CLhtUBDM3GOlWG3vmCEyIQpoYuBcD1vgfW-ptClwrhcpuCmfynUUIaK39KV7zKfrip/s4032/IMG_8197.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI0wOYVB9srrW1vPpLCutxfkBo9ihuJKNqsg3_7SOT9eAGp_GTKOZD2iO9kg2ZmmCnSQ95uETnK4Lmi8Q5cocd_zqdn0-r01WFP8xtCZESekTCFa1yj5W16CLhtUBDM3GOlWG3vmCEyIQpoYuBcD1vgfW-ptClwrhcpuCmfynUUIaK39KV7zKfrip/s320/IMG_8197.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpmEXHY5MTrvilSWluR5niULimMcr8ZecHf5WhsKsnezSfmW_K27qQp3i19pa526L1cBfy78zim9yzD3fMdnEM2ba05Uuj4fxxYB-tNEROH9HnGFnp8zYdT9R2RRJfCbIlWSchwcbLu6Pj2izxrfN_TqXYlZkqI1IYcy1maVIL11VlHh0cFvr33Po/s320/IMG_7993.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRqOlyY5jqFW2gV1sQVWv9jIjBn3KSnYIw3ui1vaKnM6B1wOGtwFD_7rOIEscePdLcmbS2HPF0vf4l1039KhAk_FzzC7jXN-9ZZXLHjXBSLMCCkfWeHSNWuGxz3lGD9wZVw3dtPRjd3nBk9ycwEnAleutVWkcLHXC6lFNOkdmWduhjZlJTSErx9gm/s4032/IMG_7961.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRqOlyY5jqFW2gV1sQVWv9jIjBn3KSnYIw3ui1vaKnM6B1wOGtwFD_7rOIEscePdLcmbS2HPF0vf4l1039KhAk_FzzC7jXN-9ZZXLHjXBSLMCCkfWeHSNWuGxz3lGD9wZVw3dtPRjd3nBk9ycwEnAleutVWkcLHXC6lFNOkdmWduhjZlJTSErx9gm/s320/IMG_7961.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRrJxBENgRaVi50UUOuolYsT92Z2uANirNmxe1fEhgK7SSc9EOQhwk35UF9CRn5nOivqslCJj4ZXquYjH_7VgJw1Mx0lN0WOmVUVtfp8Cs2LPLWO-UXMMZGzQ4ohXDcUAtN_Wo5BRVZl8MNT32nMgJ5Mm7WM255JfQzVK4Pojc8hQH7QR7L4VWSZz/s320/IMG_7842.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4qyxopbVojG2LcDRuEje_qcePNPqWjfaOxTag7UD3mRoq1jruSgQqyVd2eeimRyjLysGECDdjXjok1849cgqdQ6gY2iNj7WJ3sP6_Q5cLK6QFSKtwb6zyjwhZFUHllI40qqrQzXP4vKJ8S-dk-GJ44ER9KcU-nMu6DkTV-QAfU7zh_h16e4zYPIO/s4032/IMG_7836.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4qyxopbVojG2LcDRuEje_qcePNPqWjfaOxTag7UD3mRoq1jruSgQqyVd2eeimRyjLysGECDdjXjok1849cgqdQ6gY2iNj7WJ3sP6_Q5cLK6QFSKtwb6zyjwhZFUHllI40qqrQzXP4vKJ8S-dk-GJ44ER9KcU-nMu6DkTV-QAfU7zh_h16e4zYPIO/s320/IMG_7836.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-16122413880060691992022-08-16T13:01:00.000-04:002022-08-16T13:01:55.044-04:00Edinburgh For the Potter Head<p> What did I tell you about my attention span! Its hard to come up with this last post! I certainly am no Potter head and the longer I wait the lesser I remember about all the Harry Potter stuff we did! Maybe Tootsie should write this Blog.</p><p>Edinburgh unlike London does not have shooting locations of the movies. But a lot of inspiration comes from here and JK Rowling lived in Edinburgh while she wrote some of the Harry Potter books. There is even a graveyard (kirkyard) from which she grabbed a variety of names. I don't remember all of it but the ones I do are for Anne Potter and Robert Potter (Harry's parents), McGonagall (Although the stone is for William McGonagall), Moodie, Black and Voldemort (or Thomas Riddell). Although I must tell you that Charles Black's tombstones plaque had been stolen! That's about 200 pounds of stone that someone carried out! It apparently showed up on EBay and the church is trying to purchase/ get it back!</p>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ9EGt1oyED0oXa9GSWgFLmIAOKczCdpuuRES0o6AWOd8yO1AKl-kqdHc48PG-uXV35P9JrMpO_P9pFw-4T3RwEP4umXBzaJvbw61m_Wk-ItvehIdGDLxS3Z89rzrmAsYR2RW8yWlR4W5Af-crn9JJqcbmtzfz9TWB7riBcddg3wpxkMnqqIdDpLz/s1052/IMG_5937.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1052" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ9EGt1oyED0oXa9GSWgFLmIAOKczCdpuuRES0o6AWOd8yO1AKl-kqdHc48PG-uXV35P9JrMpO_P9pFw-4T3RwEP4umXBzaJvbw61m_Wk-ItvehIdGDLxS3Z89rzrmAsYR2RW8yWlR4W5Af-crn9JJqcbmtzfz9TWB7riBcddg3wpxkMnqqIdDpLz/s320/IMG_5937.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geyfriar's Kirkyard</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuucUGCFxaDNwH3A3xS-cRgq6v5wfAUKaBl0FzVuezMzXWLAbMk6Fmynf3Q2XltiAHc11AfERqwqHxuIUfX28WVZfAaH-lFwQRw8q-9eaPzgH_9xLGxlpWViVLKd8n0-OyRaZbS2uUs3ax7U3h_X2d8WBTZM5-mg7Jp9asIc1-5PGCOt4P1o-83CSr/s732/IMG_5938.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuucUGCFxaDNwH3A3xS-cRgq6v5wfAUKaBl0FzVuezMzXWLAbMk6Fmynf3Q2XltiAHc11AfERqwqHxuIUfX28WVZfAaH-lFwQRw8q-9eaPzgH_9xLGxlpWViVLKd8n0-OyRaZbS2uUs3ax7U3h_X2d8WBTZM5-mg7Jp9asIc1-5PGCOt4P1o-83CSr/s320/IMG_5938.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The graveyard beyond the flogged wall that has a number of the graves we are looking for</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wNzKJR9Z2HJ4LrQmAaCV0EPjTLc5QLYM4JWeBAoaY0RRBuCJMsSpSPqmTRK4vVJc2-nkhCQA9fkMXT-Ibnk4Mo4x1_UoD201faY77wwwFsqflOe31u3r5PQZWS3oWunDdFBoYXdm5Kwa79ywSW0rGHv3MWscJX5nQUppoJ0RXJlp0zjILIJB8Mub/s732/IMG_5940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wNzKJR9Z2HJ4LrQmAaCV0EPjTLc5QLYM4JWeBAoaY0RRBuCJMsSpSPqmTRK4vVJc2-nkhCQA9fkMXT-Ibnk4Mo4x1_UoD201faY77wwwFsqflOe31u3r5PQZWS3oWunDdFBoYXdm5Kwa79ywSW0rGHv3MWscJX5nQUppoJ0RXJlp0zjILIJB8Mub/s320/IMG_5940.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McGonagall, if you look closely he was a Poet and Tragedian! His Poetry I think was the tragedy as the example shows!</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZojhbVwn-qZe24JKw9-1JaEJas0V3xOiwwv9sgvr3avGL9ns65TLQAnOomUpQoB_u22rh1-FoVJhHvbKQpqVjJ3PGpXZE0h3aOeJuvtJVwFHF33EtB5jvUCjuhIdEwMbjSnYyCMCMlJRTjwHGRL9G_sg0-fgyZDAaWl8kXaEQyHc38QYis_OaH3c/s732/IMG_5943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZojhbVwn-qZe24JKw9-1JaEJas0V3xOiwwv9sgvr3avGL9ns65TLQAnOomUpQoB_u22rh1-FoVJhHvbKQpqVjJ3PGpXZE0h3aOeJuvtJVwFHF33EtB5jvUCjuhIdEwMbjSnYyCMCMlJRTjwHGRL9G_sg0-fgyZDAaWl8kXaEQyHc38QYis_OaH3c/s320/IMG_5943.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is Voldemort! Thomas Riddle!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAJ7dLGV5wrhMcWPiKTGJFuyXvwqZxJyGQM6ID1MqzXVAW5quDTBOCn0Ef1s0-3ByFT3EwdCFD07HyoQAK8Z2F8lYNjov8FqF0W6H0LmiZZmjcEKIKRDSF4SEUJAjNtQ3AI2ikAXIKXAetJF1VcsY3qeSAjGGpfPjZqtdemOyDotnEZ5_CkuN-zSZ/s732/IMG_5945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAJ7dLGV5wrhMcWPiKTGJFuyXvwqZxJyGQM6ID1MqzXVAW5quDTBOCn0Ef1s0-3ByFT3EwdCFD07HyoQAK8Z2F8lYNjov8FqF0W6H0LmiZZmjcEKIKRDSF4SEUJAjNtQ3AI2ikAXIKXAetJF1VcsY3qeSAjGGpfPjZqtdemOyDotnEZ5_CkuN-zSZ/s320/IMG_5945.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Black Mausoleum - Grave of George Mackenzie. From the time when Presbyterians were targeted for practicing their religion, Mackenzie took it upon himself to "catch" these "offenders" and sent them to Covenant prison (early version of concentration camp) where they were tortured. When he fell sick and later died he wanted to be buried here in the Mausoleum where he could continue to hear the prisoners cries! It is said that he still comes out and even physically attack people!</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxn9x7MZoi52RQBYvtUjDxPg8jXHzl-SUnoaJjpg2DiiHiwUqUhdOcOgXRrJtK9AgPfG54SbansBabLWyw-MT8yb5sJp22aSSH3gANLBOFJsNj4YER19KEWu0MEbGa0Rk5JN0eYrgKccJRh3TRg0u7MBg1PjbNGvpB_wAOC_FWEaZMNzA5ty5J1Nu/s976/IMG_5942.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="976" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxn9x7MZoi52RQBYvtUjDxPg8jXHzl-SUnoaJjpg2DiiHiwUqUhdOcOgXRrJtK9AgPfG54SbansBabLWyw-MT8yb5sJp22aSSH3gANLBOFJsNj4YER19KEWu0MEbGa0Rk5JN0eYrgKccJRh3TRg0u7MBg1PjbNGvpB_wAOC_FWEaZMNzA5ty5J1Nu/s320/IMG_5942.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Heriot School as seen from the Kirkyard</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JUCxHJI4WIz0ub7VntfXwrA2dQbVLNaQ3YJszo0cOZ5bHBsYY_fyp-fqmuyJgZx-w8w46R0C0hOqcjxrLah2iJ38HfCHkDSE9H4nShydLLCc0paP1vp62g0jhSeGmss8Ai2oenDy_A0qNWN76TasKSLnwusxL9N24DGiqfxSmLD2eZhcHdLgNMDm/s976/IMG_6064.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="976" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JUCxHJI4WIz0ub7VntfXwrA2dQbVLNaQ3YJszo0cOZ5bHBsYY_fyp-fqmuyJgZx-w8w46R0C0hOqcjxrLah2iJ38HfCHkDSE9H4nShydLLCc0paP1vp62g0jhSeGmss8Ai2oenDy_A0qNWN76TasKSLnwusxL9N24DGiqfxSmLD2eZhcHdLgNMDm/s320/IMG_6064.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Heriot School from whisky tasting at Royal Mile. </td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
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<br /><p>The George Heriot School was originally an orphanage and an inspiration for Hogwarts. Hogwarts </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja33c-xZ2oYmjzJjjq1V2Q0GwUMYMCCZZ2WeIS2cKs5chV1P0kdiHhoSKpUKmKPn02_ZSt-1Vp3X1iE4xh3_Xkk96eSMJWi3ADR16wkr06tUZcMzyBQbqaC5999PDWKnoHLXYZ_rb45v5ecPeZYSqgfkbp4fmHiiJc1fAFKPpvYADnGMq_jdIDjkcT/s976/IMG_5924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="976" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja33c-xZ2oYmjzJjjq1V2Q0GwUMYMCCZZ2WeIS2cKs5chV1P0kdiHhoSKpUKmKPn02_ZSt-1Vp3X1iE4xh3_Xkk96eSMJWi3ADR16wkr06tUZcMzyBQbqaC5999PDWKnoHLXYZ_rb45v5ecPeZYSqgfkbp4fmHiiJc1fAFKPpvYADnGMq_jdIDjkcT/s320/IMG_5924.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v7uLWz_MgqFhocUXTrdxshQ8wkTICiAU7edplrnmYQfhEvubmVz9fEQZMXHAyvOuisbcteg88pJJHwLDgdJxEO7xBCBjjtRizn6NB7oEfJsjdTgDVdTT2dMulaKL-2xrr5bwpiF71_BTYimXnxaL38QyJLd9TVbSAkmJn-gCCmp6wvfPfplx9HYO/s569/IMG_5927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="569" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v7uLWz_MgqFhocUXTrdxshQ8wkTICiAU7edplrnmYQfhEvubmVz9fEQZMXHAyvOuisbcteg88pJJHwLDgdJxEO7xBCBjjtRizn6NB7oEfJsjdTgDVdTT2dMulaKL-2xrr5bwpiF71_BTYimXnxaL38QyJLd9TVbSAkmJn-gCCmp6wvfPfplx9HYO/s320/IMG_5927.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>A tunnel with the Potter name, but apparently the name Potter was actually inspired by Rowling's childhood friend<br /></td>
<td>Teviott Row House, houses the University Library. Was an inspiration for Hogwarts as well. Apparently some dual was fought outside of a building that looked just like this</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PiNmjCP_KbfrbGRdtXXfXOhC9FX6Zv9--75CJ7DYGL-3_ZbcfkqH20rJRobZKSSsoFEfMbrNrjzLY9EcMO8jf46PW6cftKo3hsEspk1AZcM8rIOQV3V29kOaLhfQirws4s4gx5ombNjuW2ldOE14jthsbcsFahQOTKjHHjmbEw3QgQ7V9KwIjBiU/s423/IMG_5952_r.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="423" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PiNmjCP_KbfrbGRdtXXfXOhC9FX6Zv9--75CJ7DYGL-3_ZbcfkqH20rJRobZKSSsoFEfMbrNrjzLY9EcMO8jf46PW6cftKo3hsEspk1AZcM8rIOQV3V29kOaLhfQirws4s4gx5ombNjuW2ldOE14jthsbcsFahQOTKjHHjmbEw3QgQ7V9KwIjBiU/s320/IMG_5952_r.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously a huge Hogwarts inspiration - Enuf said!</td></tr></tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeqPCs_6ArUvNLiHWKDH8nRVS7dTz5WRHVlVW11yi8E4PsoYOGZx5rjvnX-rpPsf7BNeNN6o---Hmg3IUATpFQbrLrlTnfxAfKqz_0Ktmys0Qy77lqNLSQ0oDsqZ_Lh_mI0_PadvQigAbHz2343yQGDk8q_J8GlBFDTVs9H8vo-Nz0s0T9QXQkVx_/s732/IMG_5958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeqPCs_6ArUvNLiHWKDH8nRVS7dTz5WRHVlVW11yi8E4PsoYOGZx5rjvnX-rpPsf7BNeNN6o---Hmg3IUATpFQbrLrlTnfxAfKqz_0Ktmys0Qy77lqNLSQ0oDsqZ_Lh_mI0_PadvQigAbHz2343yQGDk8q_J8GlBFDTVs9H8vo-Nz0s0T9QXQkVx_/s320/IMG_5958.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <br />Diagon Alley aka Victoria Street<br /><br /></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOuMdY28xxsesguIorIOUyHutkqK7gm_4jXRiG_ifLM3N1ke3whpecblpg6RjaL2PYh1sSKN9ThtAoR7x1KXDYNXGbUD-ZY6bSdc5pOl3gN--FbwuZaG7e29QXvQFDz5t4qGC_rbJpugOVr3iueR35ZXL1mgWdgYahG7aJ8oKETJ8AfGkrYANqL2p/s976/IMG_6007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="976" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOuMdY28xxsesguIorIOUyHutkqK7gm_4jXRiG_ifLM3N1ke3whpecblpg6RjaL2PYh1sSKN9ThtAoR7x1KXDYNXGbUD-ZY6bSdc5pOl3gN--FbwuZaG7e29QXvQFDz5t4qGC_rbJpugOVr3iueR35ZXL1mgWdgYahG7aJ8oKETJ8AfGkrYANqL2p/s320/IMG_6007.jpg" width="320" /></a> Quaint little street with lots of stores and cafes! A couple of great Potter stores here! </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yEW17IZEN9hgOneuQome0wz4-yszjFYx_bzuiK66HHTLz2L7sDLk_4w9kUCVDsIX00Jnqnf-tQixP53sHwKxA-WMH62hfpWMmHLTQ337fSc-KYKsT2nIVahNDks3ka7QqG60QwXT1zKv62HxyhaHD1XPsvtYWPXe77X2pohzGo0jlG-71yv38kMr/s732/IMG_5963.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yEW17IZEN9hgOneuQome0wz4-yszjFYx_bzuiK66HHTLz2L7sDLk_4w9kUCVDsIX00Jnqnf-tQixP53sHwKxA-WMH62hfpWMmHLTQ337fSc-KYKsT2nIVahNDks3ka7QqG60QwXT1zKv62HxyhaHD1XPsvtYWPXe77X2pohzGo0jlG-71yv38kMr/s320/IMG_5963.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <br /> The little Potter head on her birthday!<br /><br /></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF8TfxVuSqWjWuf57_Mg3Ov2L4zUtKtHQZAqyZ5udIHfY4EcuGOyqQWWB64FRBKDTY6uU3tkVHlx_1DuAY3AtOc1lbtNqdra_fb-KyPmjrHlHJi-kdDsyFgQOA6zVk77H_zD7042b0jt6blbHiHV47mO_GRZ8Xq1Cn495JdVoFtkZESb1sTYc3y2-/s976/IMG_5997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="976" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF8TfxVuSqWjWuf57_Mg3Ov2L4zUtKtHQZAqyZ5udIHfY4EcuGOyqQWWB64FRBKDTY6uU3tkVHlx_1DuAY3AtOc1lbtNqdra_fb-KyPmjrHlHJi-kdDsyFgQOA6zVk77H_zD7042b0jt6blbHiHV47mO_GRZ8Xq1Cn495JdVoFtkZESb1sTYc3y2-/s320/IMG_5997.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /> This I believe has a reference in HP with the eyes and noce on top! Turns out its a lady's consignment store! </td> </tr>
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This is the Scottish emblem I think! Its a unicorn! Fantasy Land is where we went! </td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="976" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPMQni4NP1IDp8PpXYyBLmGlbvwyusBkfQ6TvNPqyaMmuocdmYWnJx5scvfM1s94UPidsRH_AVgGTKnThCs1IxNigAW_JOH1QfjvzKS2g86awoSSt8shdINvw9IlZxasJYsiQIRmRrLzE8G4-0PzO8e-T0oy_y__asO-9KCnPsEjVqEPAxO03tbSB/s320/IMG_5972.jpg" width="320" /><br /> Edinburgh City Chambers</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPCxhSg7RiVt_rQ2_rkmNjZafw8PH3Fwu0lCpgvtu350z_dp4LDpnPu91T82hH2UXTqZMoHG-g5BBgfvOBP1cd8cmHdAvV74z6tM_wd0KdtVs1OzKEz0LfLAl31dvJ7zt7PD9nKR5_f890xPKkbRre_yuN2vC1AGIBdJ17NShJqT6KKbSoLgqJj36/s736/IMG_5821%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPCxhSg7RiVt_rQ2_rkmNjZafw8PH3Fwu0lCpgvtu350z_dp4LDpnPu91T82hH2UXTqZMoHG-g5BBgfvOBP1cd8cmHdAvV74z6tM_wd0KdtVs1OzKEz0LfLAl31dvJ7zt7PD9nKR5_f890xPKkbRre_yuN2vC1AGIBdJ17NShJqT6KKbSoLgqJj36/s320/IMG_5821%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the room! Canongate Kirkyard with the Roman structures and Calton Hill lining up the background</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></td>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VaBrL7TV-QK8CJeOnAkkv0v4OCoMWAck3uAmJnEde2C4RQLKSVA2DVm5GAsDVmrBDMIlRek31ystI9eTA-ylqtyR49sSdOZ2PkVJEqIQvDDdjdaLIjGsAdthoMrDyL6K3lCWyIJNSYyDYbRUSfyrCrTJ7XQcwTX1bhYNciBY8O6JeZUA0QLHf1Y-/s552/IMG_5846.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VaBrL7TV-QK8CJeOnAkkv0v4OCoMWAck3uAmJnEde2C4RQLKSVA2DVm5GAsDVmrBDMIlRek31ystI9eTA-ylqtyR49sSdOZ2PkVJEqIQvDDdjdaLIjGsAdthoMrDyL6K3lCWyIJNSYyDYbRUSfyrCrTJ7XQcwTX1bhYNciBY8O6JeZUA0QLHf1Y-/s320/IMG_5846.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I walked down to Holyrood and took Calton Rd up! There is a close at Canongate that cuts across! But I needed to take the scenic route!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EWlweILlb-q61BO9DcLNsTr0C0ylh5MwaIpDYaA8WYVg9VZby5JrZ8zpxLV0fHxfdQo3eaCm9Om4mAYvTQnSnXR6ASB6n_ljWlsy8kxoEn2_ZEfnESNUNs5EFp40VubC38H039pNm-aPMySucQX4IikhMDarf1oWQgujM2lMlAI8BZNaxmkZz2cZ/s552/IMG_5849.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EWlweILlb-q61BO9DcLNsTr0C0ylh5MwaIpDYaA8WYVg9VZby5JrZ8zpxLV0fHxfdQo3eaCm9Om4mAYvTQnSnXR6ASB6n_ljWlsy8kxoEn2_ZEfnESNUNs5EFp40VubC38H039pNm-aPMySucQX4IikhMDarf1oWQgujM2lMlAI8BZNaxmkZz2cZ/s320/IMG_5849.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This staircase is right across the street from Old Tollbooth Wynd. Leads up to Regent Street! Me? When I see a staircase I just climb!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></td>
<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimngMuVo13UMgNHtyNwjBLfxib2-_HarJpX2h_lajRYZGZRfvTzzxJyhVaNWVMaITlRIQE_cxwI1qD-slksmb7FtvoA1Sd8_MYKi7Pd8QT4RwC41xtMRYDf16GlBlyF3N_235ouWI6vfaaR-V9S4VTbO4ytZ-F8t-IXv8Uqsg5o2ns7cD2tc3qa8W_/s552/IMG_5850.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimngMuVo13UMgNHtyNwjBLfxib2-_HarJpX2h_lajRYZGZRfvTzzxJyhVaNWVMaITlRIQE_cxwI1qD-slksmb7FtvoA1Sd8_MYKi7Pd8QT4RwC41xtMRYDf16GlBlyF3N_235ouWI6vfaaR-V9S4VTbO4ytZ-F8t-IXv8Uqsg5o2ns7cD2tc3qa8W_/s320/IMG_5850.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trudging uphill!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy1wjZWGyu4OjZ3zRJCkVUXGyxCDmv9FMUBRelCsJgPW1_UyetvH5S4TOorfiEeQYRIVSNAenFo0DGm16Q1jAw2JXVK-MpGVWuRT463tUeXEebqdttgjNd4TsphsXWN0A6tpdV-4QGbyUfPkdKlMFYJT5pdcAaKmHi6MdOHPYtdu9Cd-ZfS0GIHl2/s552/IMG_5852.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy1wjZWGyu4OjZ3zRJCkVUXGyxCDmv9FMUBRelCsJgPW1_UyetvH5S4TOorfiEeQYRIVSNAenFo0DGm16Q1jAw2JXVK-MpGVWuRT463tUeXEebqdttgjNd4TsphsXWN0A6tpdV-4QGbyUfPkdKlMFYJT5pdcAaKmHi6MdOHPYtdu9Cd-ZfS0GIHl2/s320/IMG_5852.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burns Monument on Regent</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></td>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZrgLO8DRanoru-1HLqALBwJ3BP-ifgqW4ltqd1fdCNMCqe2mnZ1xtKzKh1V-9zKI7O6bSZlqJ0X6gISWbtyHjgC6LjLJhl_7c8BDySc6CvHz6GtbKbrUzW7P4apVhq5RxV2NubNiujpZAXEh-m-zlnZ79Phj3VLo00uIW0LPE9OpmexRKfoaDd5M/s736/IMG_5855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZrgLO8DRanoru-1HLqALBwJ3BP-ifgqW4ltqd1fdCNMCqe2mnZ1xtKzKh1V-9zKI7O6bSZlqJ0X6gISWbtyHjgC6LjLJhl_7c8BDySc6CvHz6GtbKbrUzW7P4apVhq5RxV2NubNiujpZAXEh-m-zlnZ79Phj3VLo00uIW0LPE9OpmexRKfoaDd5M/s320/IMG_5855.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old Royal High School! The Romanesque building</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>I head up Regent st and encounter Jacob's Ladder with great views of the Waverley! Apparently a biblical reference to Jacob's rope ladder that leads straight to heaven! Another steep stairwell if you want to climb up from the Waverley bridge. You can take the circuitous less steep road if you want to avoid the hike up!</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1WIdsWQE9fnB1FxCe9gdxGNFn8Eswy41CKNx10KtR9ggq9mRHneyD1g_K4_vmoPB--JedTWy6ZhSiV8sVRWq168X02l1C7c4alCPDdFoGuUd0bOlGxwSi-6MEfSafTWO0y67qCwByZNu6xbONAPrycmcFykppGdwFeDYtofJb8OIb6KA_Jqbdw4y/s1123/jacob-s-ladder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="794" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1WIdsWQE9fnB1FxCe9gdxGNFn8Eswy41CKNx10KtR9ggq9mRHneyD1g_K4_vmoPB--JedTWy6ZhSiV8sVRWq168X02l1C7c4alCPDdFoGuUd0bOlGxwSi-6MEfSafTWO0y67qCwByZNu6xbONAPrycmcFykppGdwFeDYtofJb8OIb6KA_Jqbdw4y/s320/jacob-s-ladder.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br /> Jacob's ladder! </td>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQZkivZ61X5_Np2lbNxfrGQ8gvFISjZcVq300Vti2dyG20vOe6KO2QCHh_CfpnQT1VwOn4fZ6eEtcduoU49BX3hXn4xsZyTzyAwev1_m4zgYqaXqPF6X1SyXUSzUw1d9KciSz2ZZ9Llb6QtIGfXYdYm59-UZc8xnT-oudjuTqehexMEDr8q5dXiMT/s736/IMG_5859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQZkivZ61X5_Np2lbNxfrGQ8gvFISjZcVq300Vti2dyG20vOe6KO2QCHh_CfpnQT1VwOn4fZ6eEtcduoU49BX3hXn4xsZyTzyAwev1_m4zgYqaXqPF6X1SyXUSzUw1d9KciSz2ZZ9Llb6QtIGfXYdYm59-UZc8xnT-oudjuTqehexMEDr8q5dXiMT/s320/IMG_5859.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The view of Waverley Station! </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQA0CNSh8_1nSU8HngOH4pw3BmBD1AKmKtvSUgGMM2FYWF4S194ZwW-Vv_mJLLsu4tOzAeBOeYs0GyF7mH6qikc_Ngzk8TaAK-Lve-N9aGzg11Ju9irIwyuMUwru307Nf8KReqK8tlBHKMSt4srp1wnwKb93pFjMjlTWZokRN3EYFuijJrwwobQBi/s736/IMG_5861.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQA0CNSh8_1nSU8HngOH4pw3BmBD1AKmKtvSUgGMM2FYWF4S194ZwW-Vv_mJLLsu4tOzAeBOeYs0GyF7mH6qikc_Ngzk8TaAK-Lve-N9aGzg11Ju9irIwyuMUwru307Nf8KReqK8tlBHKMSt4srp1wnwKb93pFjMjlTWZokRN3EYFuijJrwwobQBi/s320/IMG_5861.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Edinburgh City views</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxXr9SObu2QzRGDSzYeViKlMuPIB_sm4rP770shckL1thCeB7XCwiQaMIlbs0-I6cs6puQjeknUFzEZeBB_iAeEbfgoEXU-wexj0W2obB1Pt5ENPeIKBCMNgrrkaLhRzhXUAhhKf164k3xNTn0J8mVCZ1ZWRKUjl66uxbBFqZcKFZFAn8dfCeMwLs/s552/IMG_5863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxXr9SObu2QzRGDSzYeViKlMuPIB_sm4rP770shckL1thCeB7XCwiQaMIlbs0-I6cs6puQjeknUFzEZeBB_iAeEbfgoEXU-wexj0W2obB1Pt5ENPeIKBCMNgrrkaLhRzhXUAhhKf164k3xNTn0J8mVCZ1ZWRKUjl66uxbBFqZcKFZFAn8dfCeMwLs/s320/IMG_5863.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> Calton Hill on the other side!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>We are getting close now! Time to trudge up Calton Hill and see that up close!</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkveD45A4eVQXjXOLZ4Bxhjw6aTwo5GdOJOec1wjRniY09UfTdrGcnp9jS4lUieag_OQqMMIjMtb-d3TO0Eu7UQT2inI41z0CgL63xQg9oG9wANBHOB_yJO5UEl2F96rrlSe67FEUrNfsfAxLnOPhmCT77KbZEun8NHB_8Ww_kDu5XPOsDT5bvBzP-/s736/IMG_5868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkveD45A4eVQXjXOLZ4Bxhjw6aTwo5GdOJOec1wjRniY09UfTdrGcnp9jS4lUieag_OQqMMIjMtb-d3TO0Eu7UQT2inI41z0CgL63xQg9oG9wANBHOB_yJO5UEl2F96rrlSe67FEUrNfsfAxLnOPhmCT77KbZEun8NHB_8Ww_kDu5XPOsDT5bvBzP-/s320/IMG_5868.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>National Monument of Scotland! A memorial to Soldiers inspired by the Pantheon! They ran out of money and apparently it was never completed!<br /><br /></td>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_4eFrQqH4xwFe1huAMu9dfd9aXhrcHzvpv_KvR5exRwNdp1xd5kGs8jAGTYxdlrtC458PezxrVgQHR7F-azHo_Ix8SRKPsSeKFJOkXTm56l5jnmt6Tes3JUGGf1J9xgy9h46gX4yG1O4t8sdT_UmvwCR84O1V9I7bssljKMgEGLq-qFOU1K6S65-/s736/IMG_5872.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_4eFrQqH4xwFe1huAMu9dfd9aXhrcHzvpv_KvR5exRwNdp1xd5kGs8jAGTYxdlrtC458PezxrVgQHR7F-azHo_Ix8SRKPsSeKFJOkXTm56l5jnmt6Tes3JUGGf1J9xgy9h46gX4yG1O4t8sdT_UmvwCR84O1V9I7bssljKMgEGLq-qFOU1K6S65-/s320/IMG_5872.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Calton Hill Observatory</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjY9JyfRdQco-g7-ftQ7vfC_eLMSHmXNF0F_DAaqG08cJNlmxCBV1fB6JEGpWcwUET3SFHNKmyibHAPTqj2rVR1PiriNqjjo1xVLSo8xhgw2m_GML_wEpTR0a-YLNGDwrppLXv7oN7MkgcLY5uC3nfVhj_5br21ZcG9FXs30mEGbtoTYB9X4DoUiV/s552/IMG_5879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjY9JyfRdQco-g7-ftQ7vfC_eLMSHmXNF0F_DAaqG08cJNlmxCBV1fB6JEGpWcwUET3SFHNKmyibHAPTqj2rVR1PiriNqjjo1xVLSo8xhgw2m_GML_wEpTR0a-YLNGDwrppLXv7oN7MkgcLY5uC3nfVhj_5br21ZcG9FXs30mEGbtoTYB9X4DoUiV/s320/IMG_5879.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Isn't it always?<br /><br /></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwa6CfnIL74rMyhAiqWUQ3-LB_GtiNRIb72uYFiIVlJkA4g7BkK33OYZHTm6XywICqL-iZ36gSd3zfA1hspHGPmizRu_W0Pq35UWF9vfMp44oSPwqSQOr7vOulWFtqaKTgW66U3CGkwdNjlgQ_kSW1RJR3LERLwT2gHxSoUX6h-gWRzcluDCsp4-8/s719/IMG_5881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="719" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwa6CfnIL74rMyhAiqWUQ3-LB_GtiNRIb72uYFiIVlJkA4g7BkK33OYZHTm6XywICqL-iZ36gSd3zfA1hspHGPmizRu_W0Pq35UWF9vfMp44oSPwqSQOr7vOulWFtqaKTgW66U3CGkwdNjlgQ_kSW1RJR3LERLwT2gHxSoUX6h-gWRzcluDCsp4-8/s320/IMG_5881.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Dugald Stewart Monument (He was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh)</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aX1u1TG4XHXItyghTmPVjtt28BvpTET0SRq23Y0MQPxc3hBAcC9axVGBseABDpurUcamFBJAhZLmnHHhjkho_lgIWoV8ANC0RIwIngPeLEIt243N4FHJn7S_H2r7WtuviKWpDh8vyAhBphJBYR7TreiuTXBjK0SMHvl2-VF_Jo-ZmR617vraOcxO/s736/IMG_5883.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aX1u1TG4XHXItyghTmPVjtt28BvpTET0SRq23Y0MQPxc3hBAcC9axVGBseABDpurUcamFBJAhZLmnHHhjkho_lgIWoV8ANC0RIwIngPeLEIt243N4FHJn7S_H2r7WtuviKWpDh8vyAhBphJBYR7TreiuTXBjK0SMHvl2-VF_Jo-ZmR617vraOcxO/s320/IMG_5883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The breathtaking views from Calton Hill - Thats the Balmoral Hotel</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTkFs3ub0nN8y4JCzAeqL2B-_Ljo8nfQMaIFQpMkpvKMvTq7uXXx7KZtS4KzqKClvCzOn7A7FKoyxmc2KIOBRpgg9xNJY2ziBxdYi3IvbRllMIP5nhP4A-219S9oc0Dpta9S02NIIjw1VVPdcEV2AxN_YHk_EdIP1_3j_if2TdiNlT7TnxcIXWs7L/s736/IMG_5886.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTkFs3ub0nN8y4JCzAeqL2B-_Ljo8nfQMaIFQpMkpvKMvTq7uXXx7KZtS4KzqKClvCzOn7A7FKoyxmc2KIOBRpgg9xNJY2ziBxdYi3IvbRllMIP5nhP4A-219S9oc0Dpta9S02NIIjw1VVPdcEV2AxN_YHk_EdIP1_3j_if2TdiNlT7TnxcIXWs7L/s320/IMG_5886.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Obelisk Martyrs Memorial ad the Calton Burial Ground, Scott Monument and Royal Mile at the distance<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbccJMzA47TCcIucE_E4SMPY3bFsrB6UIEoklkuQRiqmiSs-fafyhhszuE7hHpwa8MBCaETfYfjd6p8C2MDf9jEHkuESOZpwiJXiJ8PpwtN8j5j3R7LlyQ4dEXMEC7p5QkyH_XadpcGGaOE0fMYcohgpJxi00zwlRsMevNGszcpiCfOT9jNdZ7OOS/s642/IMG_5891.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="642" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbccJMzA47TCcIucE_E4SMPY3bFsrB6UIEoklkuQRiqmiSs-fafyhhszuE7hHpwa8MBCaETfYfjd6p8C2MDf9jEHkuESOZpwiJXiJ8PpwtN8j5j3R7LlyQ4dEXMEC7p5QkyH_XadpcGGaOE0fMYcohgpJxi00zwlRsMevNGszcpiCfOT9jNdZ7OOS/s320/IMG_5891.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<td style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXTikXTHXry5bD2zASrlny5eV5FaU6YRpFTr4HECHKx68Mfr2PwA63bthXe3oZFuZBQNXynDBCrmv1eQ_aalB7CYYb3Ut_8QHRvPLvhat7giZz4wSdM7TiXGq2_9m0-oteQcb72aBrMzUB0v4jO5k1Iced8efEyh0EDquF7iwsHEp4mMrPNJSNA1w/s736/IMG_5888.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXTikXTHXry5bD2zASrlny5eV5FaU6YRpFTr4HECHKx68Mfr2PwA63bthXe3oZFuZBQNXynDBCrmv1eQ_aalB7CYYb3Ut_8QHRvPLvhat7giZz4wSdM7TiXGq2_9m0-oteQcb72aBrMzUB0v4jO5k1Iced8efEyh0EDquF7iwsHEp4mMrPNJSNA1w/s320/IMG_5888.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I spy another mountain to climb. Thats the Salisbury crags and Arthurs Seat as viewed from Calton Hill</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00ra-KcS9gzxevLWod1u5Yb2TOhERywqr9XF9zTOW2KO5QIY3Pa5es6-3Fk1VQngv7Lt6u_i3TOPjrrYZd8lOqEJWzyKevuYApBzfFfIDhBRVDMDW_QLUC7SJFX56NwwEG4yQRgS9bWjxV5QcbPnLzsqpPRMlNTVkJ99CP8KDKkFduW9JYujnqFw9/s736/IMG_5880.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00ra-KcS9gzxevLWod1u5Yb2TOhERywqr9XF9zTOW2KO5QIY3Pa5es6-3Fk1VQngv7Lt6u_i3TOPjrrYZd8lOqEJWzyKevuYApBzfFfIDhBRVDMDW_QLUC7SJFX56NwwEG4yQRgS9bWjxV5QcbPnLzsqpPRMlNTVkJ99CP8KDKkFduW9JYujnqFw9/s320/IMG_5880.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view towards Leith, the Firth of Forth, Inchkeith and the coast of Fife from Calton Hill</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Now that the first hike was done and dusted! I turned my attention to the next one! Arthur's Seat. Formed 350 million years ago, thee same volcanic system that caused the hill the Castle is built on and the Calton Hill, Arthurs' seat is a symbol of Edinburgh. It is located in the Holyrood Park right next to the Holyrood Palace. So really a stone's throw from the Royal Mile. It is said that James Hutton developed the basis of Modern geology by looking at the layers of igneous rock here! And that this was the location for King Arthur's Camelot!</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RY0KpIqSvnRVs7RqDq6le-Zt6QrB2WhaaxUF3gAa5cHZuWcOSLdRJHyLrXU_9elJkKXIAqSkDrPFzwsgXI90YEU4WpQattyZpu-twi7st6Zbgn3Yjhx8dqRUJ4mgj9oarxyK8EkQ9a_PRNxBdBXugOnqX-ydBAmK-ThRRWdCCYesJe5JnyWwJ4d1/s736/IMG_6077.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RY0KpIqSvnRVs7RqDq6le-Zt6QrB2WhaaxUF3gAa5cHZuWcOSLdRJHyLrXU_9elJkKXIAqSkDrPFzwsgXI90YEU4WpQattyZpu-twi7st6Zbgn3Yjhx8dqRUJ4mgj9oarxyK8EkQ9a_PRNxBdBXugOnqX-ydBAmK-ThRRWdCCYesJe5JnyWwJ4d1/s320/IMG_6077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The hike up Arthurs' seat</td>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHMQtjx0T8L6fkyGn1PWoFNWK69VJyLlkScNLya9y9gAeNsZRvD_JHjDoVPf7t02tGkfJfaQrgMLpHLrygnfkk41aouuA3xvY9z_WgWKiVEfTf4nEZvI_eyQxBUY1ihWDGg7b3MZ6NdtKdrp2ABF7Z6MeKd3zSMX68X6U34Bt0cOuyE72DgkCqtWv/s736/IMG_6085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHMQtjx0T8L6fkyGn1PWoFNWK69VJyLlkScNLya9y9gAeNsZRvD_JHjDoVPf7t02tGkfJfaQrgMLpHLrygnfkk41aouuA3xvY9z_WgWKiVEfTf4nEZvI_eyQxBUY1ihWDGg7b3MZ6NdtKdrp2ABF7Z6MeKd3zSMX68X6U34Bt0cOuyE72DgkCqtWv/s320/IMG_6085.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So beautiful but let that not trick you! A steep climb!<br /><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-0aLsz7UHxu9uwtlNZhoN8XB3qUiwlDbaSHm9w_OPTxJiQT_n7Kiptot4YP2dFFVnGkuTaBVie0q-U2GohGQ_Y3MyGcjrIRhYzK19LvN2X-Ewd-2ud0dXJveK-zNrkRwExOSAqfaOT16D51dP4DEUzHTmOdQzzT-w5J3GV9PGuEXnRj7oDTnvsfU/s736/IMG_6095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-0aLsz7UHxu9uwtlNZhoN8XB3qUiwlDbaSHm9w_OPTxJiQT_n7Kiptot4YP2dFFVnGkuTaBVie0q-U2GohGQ_Y3MyGcjrIRhYzK19LvN2X-Ewd-2ud0dXJveK-zNrkRwExOSAqfaOT16D51dP4DEUzHTmOdQzzT-w5J3GV9PGuEXnRj7oDTnvsfU/s320/IMG_6095.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The views were absolutely breathtaking!</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLjTX6F_CpdO4ccem2u6fN0auol8FWQkMVvFrgNs6T31ngmbWPyojD22c1xN9v2r4s-zehl9jNELmb8Z_JZ0DKjaT85Q-7hTg5KF3fQiIQzwWIuiADqV5rnGaVHPRvQsEgYLdqkbi_UAI6-RO9xKF_b449QMVHFi38TmsnRkEM6R1L25M1qUGkbop/s552/IMG_6104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLjTX6F_CpdO4ccem2u6fN0auol8FWQkMVvFrgNs6T31ngmbWPyojD22c1xN9v2r4s-zehl9jNELmb8Z_JZ0DKjaT85Q-7hTg5KF3fQiIQzwWIuiADqV5rnGaVHPRvQsEgYLdqkbi_UAI6-RO9xKF_b449QMVHFi38TmsnRkEM6R1L25M1qUGkbop/s320/IMG_6104.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Climbing up the rocks at the top!</td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSErdHydFGuMupr4iiNI0fvLG_N8whm7y8l3wd8o44KsZgwMnxxEcUO5xkiq1DgMcRlHCyerW7kbtggYbIUOGDjWMuMBPSws3wmnPS5faHWh3yYJNnWkz4ljOtTllJEFcsVVniLgFr8F80DhuuCKTUw6pOAS4Xfi6wBpfpclkwABhV-7A_fzSM5Ee/s736/IMG_6107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSErdHydFGuMupr4iiNI0fvLG_N8whm7y8l3wd8o44KsZgwMnxxEcUO5xkiq1DgMcRlHCyerW7kbtggYbIUOGDjWMuMBPSws3wmnPS5faHWh3yYJNnWkz4ljOtTllJEFcsVVniLgFr8F80DhuuCKTUw6pOAS4Xfi6wBpfpclkwABhV-7A_fzSM5Ee/s320/IMG_6107.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The wind on the top is no joke! the Seagulls were literally floating away in the wind!</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWkgaL5Ffl4JLUn7wrwcl5SuHCjRPFjk6X9s9LRm-76-Mlwd_hbsOFBx2x3YB_UR3GKK7ihRX7ohte8yJZC1DAVlZEFuWDV7B_jSAAtu_u9mj7EBhDNK9PHIXNNxBT7t3KS0Dbgo_ObLKom8ztlm48hcE0LJ_1lUPakpk9zAIL1a1MPIlYDxXXeJL/s552/IMG_6115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWkgaL5Ffl4JLUn7wrwcl5SuHCjRPFjk6X9s9LRm-76-Mlwd_hbsOFBx2x3YB_UR3GKK7ihRX7ohte8yJZC1DAVlZEFuWDV7B_jSAAtu_u9mj7EBhDNK9PHIXNNxBT7t3KS0Dbgo_ObLKom8ztlm48hcE0LJ_1lUPakpk9zAIL1a1MPIlYDxXXeJL/s320/IMG_6115.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Summit!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDbMhnSTVKsFlkr2uWRus5I_mTHKFPM6xtHzCRb2Jym7RR46qlcIwy5sRUfxRJC0S1pj4cT_Z-Bn0_XOwzW28fQ5nx3MaZaPCqJqUMVsGWdOOum1KCKiJOso-cMNae8X7_z8Yii2rdErYWwOQF7capa-Rx6gu72WCmq1V93DonZbLw9R-eoDGgPLz/s736/IMG_6127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDbMhnSTVKsFlkr2uWRus5I_mTHKFPM6xtHzCRb2Jym7RR46qlcIwy5sRUfxRJC0S1pj4cT_Z-Bn0_XOwzW28fQ5nx3MaZaPCqJqUMVsGWdOOum1KCKiJOso-cMNae8X7_z8Yii2rdErYWwOQF7capa-Rx6gu72WCmq1V93DonZbLw9R-eoDGgPLz/s320/IMG_6127.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The views from the top made teh climb well worth it!</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW_V6l238plEkfprrHnUHiDKgImznE6pnHkLs1LFpk4s7FAxNwKEBH9LmftpPCz2EqolYpnHXPCAjYFQi_GuMqHkSekEGQvYOJghHEeu6w8RU2V4HR6DCvZa6lVBZBtB6ttAebPPgRBsmbHJwZUMm06tvWhAZYDvnpwfwnCVAsMf6h52ycH17IEka/s736/IMG_6129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCW_V6l238plEkfprrHnUHiDKgImznE6pnHkLs1LFpk4s7FAxNwKEBH9LmftpPCz2EqolYpnHXPCAjYFQi_GuMqHkSekEGQvYOJghHEeu6w8RU2V4HR6DCvZa6lVBZBtB6ttAebPPgRBsmbHJwZUMm06tvWhAZYDvnpwfwnCVAsMf6h52ycH17IEka/s320/IMG_6129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Holding the phone steady to take these pictures was quite a task!</div></td></tr>
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<div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of me at the top of Arthurs' seat! The wind was pushing me! The gusts were quite fierce at the top! But I was just thrilled to be there (as you can tell!)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jqp5gcrii_hw-wS61vgsgZ8sFto-DDvKtGAaJECsreXbk_3gRNm-x46J93ZpXb5vo9XGSdgqk54SwQLhGo7CnyR5XYWqkw4Gu6kumhGLBX0cWuGwT4tbXLj948U4fkQqxfzIz2LB1Tc/s736/IMG_6111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jqp5gcrii_hw-wS61vgsgZ8sFto-DDvKtGAaJECsreXbk_3gRNm-x46J93ZpXb5vo9XGSdgqk54SwQLhGo7CnyR5XYWqkw4Gu6kumhGLBX0cWuGwT4tbXLj948U4fkQqxfzIz2LB1Tc/s320/IMG_6111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After just a few minutes at the top I started my decent. I went a few different directions to take in the views, climbed back on top and went down again this time in yet another direction! This was a road not taken! Steep downwards climb through thistle bushes! I had to stop to contemplate my brash decisions a few times as the wind pushed me down, the cliff lined up one side and I went down hill!</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje50Vur3-cok01Ab9oq_l9o9LGU6nupDReHC6uaZkDarQT2ar2W4ssR7i8b84wEHQ4I1a6hma7j2bN_i9uRl32DefUhtBPTZ5lyJQNzAAD6I0cEIluJni266Vi_D0W-C0DRfwDdr2Lx6MjJioZdxspmzSABXtWjZjOhujJGuKCmKNSENOgPW6-M7Eg/s552/IMG_6134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje50Vur3-cok01Ab9oq_l9o9LGU6nupDReHC6uaZkDarQT2ar2W4ssR7i8b84wEHQ4I1a6hma7j2bN_i9uRl32DefUhtBPTZ5lyJQNzAAD6I0cEIluJni266Vi_D0W-C0DRfwDdr2Lx6MjJioZdxspmzSABXtWjZjOhujJGuKCmKNSENOgPW6-M7Eg/s320/IMG_6134.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtD4P2L9eBemaHjt-ivqaAI6VjcVhy4dumUZdkN8owOM5-2seQSg0J0DTMvoZHasOtZX1d1BrUhRx03bq-fz3WeC_01Fr8pfi5zgZQ-GluX6bLpvhcmAb9MsskYVTpzkSXnUIf8QmdbM/s552/IMG_6135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtD4P2L9eBemaHjt-ivqaAI6VjcVhy4dumUZdkN8owOM5-2seQSg0J0DTMvoZHasOtZX1d1BrUhRx03bq-fz3WeC_01Fr8pfi5zgZQ-GluX6bLpvhcmAb9MsskYVTpzkSXnUIf8QmdbM/s320/IMG_6135.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></td>
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<div><br /></div>But the Crags beckoned! So here I go again for a little bit more adventure! The Crags are a much smoother climb and descent! So if you want to avoid the strenuous Arthur's seat the Salisbury Crags are a great alternative! Keep an eye out near the cliffs at the top though! With no railing at the top a bit scary! And on a windy day like the one I had not the best! The wind was much lesser than on Arthur's seat though!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TZajegIQZbffi5BQ0BQD_OY1Oq0qcR89oT8Jutlw_uFo_HLzON2vnWUtB0fFR-TOAAwod0D5mZMynQCJGZCEW0E1pkmowLUHsW42oVHlK5efxUfXFPw95pXuxmK9M6isCagaJ7KmKjYtJvOLMgrs4IlIwnbmQ99PYvUs6dgr5qX_kRGPv78rXSug/s736/IMG_6141.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TZajegIQZbffi5BQ0BQD_OY1Oq0qcR89oT8Jutlw_uFo_HLzON2vnWUtB0fFR-TOAAwod0D5mZMynQCJGZCEW0E1pkmowLUHsW42oVHlK5efxUfXFPw95pXuxmK9M6isCagaJ7KmKjYtJvOLMgrs4IlIwnbmQ99PYvUs6dgr5qX_kRGPv78rXSug/s320/IMG_6141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dGvYfdjzkgRIsslLoTCOUSsoumeeolqG8079SoKCE4wfRHZ3K3hovQWSMZJnEYDtvWxYtqmJwNPpA7PZHtJPbfwkDnDq_tLcL7mJpBdemxP0m6S428B2Bx6BAkYgXR8ByQpA7CNZUjdbsFgnWKQV_mmu1RQa7-eSJQFatymQIg45X_s3nlrmelFo/s736/IMG_6138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dGvYfdjzkgRIsslLoTCOUSsoumeeolqG8079SoKCE4wfRHZ3K3hovQWSMZJnEYDtvWxYtqmJwNPpA7PZHtJPbfwkDnDq_tLcL7mJpBdemxP0m6S428B2Bx6BAkYgXR8ByQpA7CNZUjdbsFgnWKQV_mmu1RQa7-eSJQFatymQIg45X_s3nlrmelFo/s320/IMG_6138.jpg" width="320" /></a></p> </td></tr>
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<br />Nothing like a day of activity! I just loved the climb and the fresh air on my face! For most of my way there were barely any people! So it was just fabulous taking in the sights at my own pace! Arthur's seat was a bit crowded though (considering the climb, still lots of room for serenity)!<div><br /></div><div>I later learnt that I should have also made my way to Deans' village for another hike in Edinburgh! But I didn't! Until next time I guess!</div><div><br /></div><div>I will be back with more sights in Edinburgh, considering that I explored the city so much there is more to tell! But this by far was the best adventure of my trip there!</div></td></tr></tbody></table>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-30346744808473819512022-07-19T10:42:00.051-04:002022-07-19T10:58:15.059-04:00Discovering Edinburgh's Old town!<p>Edinburgh is a quaint little town and known to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world! It has a little for everyone.. some culture, modern amenities, whisky tasting, Harry Potter, Outlander, Castles and Hikes! Its a blend of the historic and modern! Over the 4 days we stayed there I fell in love with it! It is going to be hard to do it justice but I will try my best to bring to words and images the experience that is Edinburgh!</p><p>I don't intend to chronicle this in the order of my seeing the locations or the itinerary so maybe a long winded post unfortunately. But I will try and capture as much of the beauty and experience as I can here!</p><p><b>Royal Mile and Canon Gate</b></p><p>The Royal mile is a central street in the heart of Old town that stretches a little over a mile. At one end of the mile is the Edinburgh castle and at the other end is the Holyrood Palace. The Holyrood palace is the official residence of the Queen when she visits Scotland!</p>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7sZEvNx-kMpAGSjshg6asEG4rSxPoGcX_YEKtkZj9ObIXVsJfi-gygxMqvhSgfD5zL6lQdFehMXvfVX2ePU4vhGizCyFbH8_yuwR3WM8nGzuI41UqyTAZB38XPCOryigLE7TbEbzUFyL2Z_vFNA8YJOT8EtnXtOwGaTBVxKLukrju-9cb-jt_0PU/s423/IMG_5952_r.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="423" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7sZEvNx-kMpAGSjshg6asEG4rSxPoGcX_YEKtkZj9ObIXVsJfi-gygxMqvhSgfD5zL6lQdFehMXvfVX2ePU4vhGizCyFbH8_yuwR3WM8nGzuI41UqyTAZB38XPCOryigLE7TbEbzUFyL2Z_vFNA8YJOT8EtnXtOwGaTBVxKLukrju-9cb-jt_0PU/s320/IMG_5952_r.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Edinburgh Castle! Best view is at the end of Grass Market!</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDsSN55vn9CfynuBtX7NX8DI4sXW2prlagJtlbpcejqJFBjSZW9kda95jxOunhcwc3dL7mBTyXCd2Hoff3t4pSs6E2mv4srEZWZk-nCMc9jjADXbI-1OfYZZimmXr7g0LbT66z-1H7ztE_RZACvrhjpf8Yur7ghRe7NxRy6fk3IaUZR5rHymSouCv/s576/IMG_6114_1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="576" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDsSN55vn9CfynuBtX7NX8DI4sXW2prlagJtlbpcejqJFBjSZW9kda95jxOunhcwc3dL7mBTyXCd2Hoff3t4pSs6E2mv4srEZWZk-nCMc9jjADXbI-1OfYZZimmXr7g0LbT66z-1H7ztE_RZACvrhjpf8Yur7ghRe7NxRy6fk3IaUZR5rHymSouCv/s320/IMG_6114_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thee Castle as viewed from Arthurs' Seat</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ03xD_w9NhIu8vPt9M7zov0UeBu_MAyVdbhXzfgUB9qcbJOebwlwd_ftD8Vv3eVm17SgUUm--MgQDpAlJlyNo0a6BOJeE99hvu6nNwtOoWdOprRc2I60f5t3ggMMx5eRNoaYAnRhm1PYkxL5vP_t4fJUx3teSCk5HYV4YKg0YiNOhBx7UxRWHihPr/s736/IMG_6074.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ03xD_w9NhIu8vPt9M7zov0UeBu_MAyVdbhXzfgUB9qcbJOebwlwd_ftD8Vv3eVm17SgUUm--MgQDpAlJlyNo0a6BOJeE99hvu6nNwtOoWdOprRc2I60f5t3ggMMx5eRNoaYAnRhm1PYkxL5vP_t4fJUx3teSCk5HYV4YKg0YiNOhBx7UxRWHihPr/s320/IMG_6074.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queens Gallery at the other end of the mile! This houses crown jewels and is right across from the Scottish Parliament<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERkDDTutvrafvQ64UJEDVVG43T2m78E0s6oekHQAiPOU_W7DaR2XfD1SCl7WzA5sLpHyHbO1--qP36A4nx9K7hpvbrqQD9bR6biNrkRVozicHjIhKgLvCZ2Y__NzCsCGSqt4eJTjWYz1qkQnpkSMkmP1491i4pDci_NsNrya-FAoeeGfEnqJX-oAt/s987/IMG_6164.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="987" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERkDDTutvrafvQ64UJEDVVG43T2m78E0s6oekHQAiPOU_W7DaR2XfD1SCl7WzA5sLpHyHbO1--qP36A4nx9K7hpvbrqQD9bR6biNrkRVozicHjIhKgLvCZ2Y__NzCsCGSqt4eJTjWYz1qkQnpkSMkmP1491i4pDci_NsNrya-FAoeeGfEnqJX-oAt/s320/IMG_6164.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Holyrood Palace</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
<tr><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6DMmUGnI93odz12jTdG4u0KBcCt6_Hkmp-MsBse3Xib7ss3BG4He09H9qgmuuv0IwiVG7NyCfiY5w9jbiE6-pHWqehjD19UAJPy38v1VyggOExc3Tyh7OEveIrdRGHRlVh8n8GD11EdeltfOSxh2kIe51nvEvKR7lNciTy80nD1PIJ4t4NF4bLNm/s736/IMG_6122.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6DMmUGnI93odz12jTdG4u0KBcCt6_Hkmp-MsBse3Xib7ss3BG4He09H9qgmuuv0IwiVG7NyCfiY5w9jbiE6-pHWqehjD19UAJPy38v1VyggOExc3Tyh7OEveIrdRGHRlVh8n8GD11EdeltfOSxh2kIe51nvEvKR7lNciTy80nD1PIJ4t4NF4bLNm/s320/IMG_6122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holyrood Palace as seen from Arthurs' seat</td></tr></tbody></table></td><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUO4sfkT-N9yIzbBalX4kSaR7TTRE5rbLQm2DmHYYmFLvNCn9iaNCt9Fc9166lqAWrycDSVcimIuoz_D7Q8s6Px5nF0dDTSaCSysGixz_-YxG1CMoB_DJWyLqAZ4HbC7wwMBMdkqhjODSzfM1yyQy82AVGmCb0cdN24fXdB69GMm0fwt6QzmqaEVb/s736/IMG_6160.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUO4sfkT-N9yIzbBalX4kSaR7TTRE5rbLQm2DmHYYmFLvNCn9iaNCt9Fc9166lqAWrycDSVcimIuoz_D7Q8s6Px5nF0dDTSaCSysGixz_-YxG1CMoB_DJWyLqAZ4HbC7wwMBMdkqhjODSzfM1yyQy82AVGmCb0cdN24fXdB69GMm0fwt6QzmqaEVb/s320/IMG_6160.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gates to Holyrood</td></tr></tbody></table>
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</tbody></table><br />The Royal Mile is quaint and just beautiful with its many alleyways (Close). There are about 80 closes. Some are drab and dingy while others have spectacular views and still others have hidden courtyards and gardens! I explored a few! Some featured here!<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ffpPNxqwgirJN6X28-pgD_o9WF2j0JSlA-THw82tUrWuxP7OVYM7r57_tP7E6-g02eV0bIafF5ERaW7muzE7tGE-osfDnQRMRF_S3pE-Lr_aRs9D5IdZw1ZgAHlp4c0wAP87DgVLUJYodnVIdWlhVUnlL9s69eELhtyWp-zEazCKTqK0Wtohv-yA/s552/IMG_5847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ffpPNxqwgirJN6X28-pgD_o9WF2j0JSlA-THw82tUrWuxP7OVYM7r57_tP7E6-g02eV0bIafF5ERaW7muzE7tGE-osfDnQRMRF_S3pE-Lr_aRs9D5IdZw1ZgAHlp4c0wAP87DgVLUJYodnVIdWlhVUnlL9s69eELhtyWp-zEazCKTqK0Wtohv-yA/s320/IMG_5847.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>This was a close off CanonGate. One of the very first I saw! I believe this was Old Tolbooth Wynd</td>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FSIwzInuucOAZ2n1RMsN63jMP_9DaCWNfo9ovNPFLchJcsweTKk-XIdp1uFT2-YdBRAvXUPRKAAXfkL3WiZOawaODchxKXXSx5AHiDlf2GP-LUko-HAwrpB9pDuAdfX6ZdLWDiyyqS8EojRrHY4r8pZ0hDhCwgjMQugUBXfK1MHt0Dgz9TS29FvT/s552/IMG_5901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FSIwzInuucOAZ2n1RMsN63jMP_9DaCWNfo9ovNPFLchJcsweTKk-XIdp1uFT2-YdBRAvXUPRKAAXfkL3WiZOawaODchxKXXSx5AHiDlf2GP-LUko-HAwrpB9pDuAdfX6ZdLWDiyyqS8EojRrHY4r8pZ0hDhCwgjMQugUBXfK1MHt0Dgz9TS29FvT/s320/IMG_5901.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Warriston's close Stairs</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_eVKfK3iDt1JLqQRIPqbaNCp04_z-_JLi87WclRgAR0jGF_SkVkebyICDlM1ziaBSGJt133FzrI5gkDv5ldic5rXamJtbGaNSvvTfqQh17nJbIpCJHDvBiwNWcVV9p6ihVfdr5ulWbiAIuNQXRzO0b2tSf4SnmJJj2Sv0mM-tnGre26_CU_jaguS/s552/IMG_5902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_eVKfK3iDt1JLqQRIPqbaNCp04_z-_JLi87WclRgAR0jGF_SkVkebyICDlM1ziaBSGJt133FzrI5gkDv5ldic5rXamJtbGaNSvvTfqQh17nJbIpCJHDvBiwNWcVV9p6ihVfdr5ulWbiAIuNQXRzO0b2tSf4SnmJJj2Sv0mM-tnGre26_CU_jaguS/s320/IMG_5902.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Writers Close</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidAiGDdEsF5_gMt4VV_74ubp0mn4SblFteCDAsLVO1KzsBZfHacpYFrRMMUjsJCajHyPLGSwDqO2vMvloHjgf86niQvn-dZcc-mi9UvP_Pco3j035JI8wJ8IDiw2zQf8y56xbnyj6LYfZ9enbiz4EcMu_M5HjotpMJZ28Qd2uODIio-Jtn4ADalXh/s552/IMG_6072.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidAiGDdEsF5_gMt4VV_74ubp0mn4SblFteCDAsLVO1KzsBZfHacpYFrRMMUjsJCajHyPLGSwDqO2vMvloHjgf86niQvn-dZcc-mi9UvP_Pco3j035JI8wJ8IDiw2zQf8y56xbnyj6LYfZ9enbiz4EcMu_M5HjotpMJZ28Qd2uODIio-Jtn4ADalXh/s320/IMG_6072.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Bakehouse Close an Outlander location<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06nU4gM7AM4VemJzYH--dQxDhpdZCsYOQKYPxXTwu0VWamPJaUZM5fDeMNqlmm7tbCYyD1OsVeS_JvU8OPffOqYrvmXUbdHgN7sFBTl7o9lL_5QjQ5-JqJP3kmABJDKRyT7U1ioRKp2ltD-fickdKVLpEiW3LG5qI0vs6RO5eUHenRIzkY3kDVIG6/s736/IMG_6073.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06nU4gM7AM4VemJzYH--dQxDhpdZCsYOQKYPxXTwu0VWamPJaUZM5fDeMNqlmm7tbCYyD1OsVeS_JvU8OPffOqYrvmXUbdHgN7sFBTl7o9lL_5QjQ5-JqJP3kmABJDKRyT7U1ioRKp2ltD-fickdKVLpEiW3LG5qI0vs6RO5eUHenRIzkY3kDVIG6/s320/IMG_6073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Inside Bakehouse Close</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ35XgOQieyeNfQVsCS4ZUuLeZmVOMC9LwGj59jD9NmgeCbhMP1xSxBV-Pp8iS6LOBIAbZ8pxI1b53nP6MBFHSqFkUbhB8P4jnIkGfyUmh6GBHMntk-3pOyfVkiEEk-t8hSnF8GuoQR5jiA_3uViveWnBbvuAboT2bpTdoArxQfL9ri1LBn8i2nZp/s552/IMG_6184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ35XgOQieyeNfQVsCS4ZUuLeZmVOMC9LwGj59jD9NmgeCbhMP1xSxBV-Pp8iS6LOBIAbZ8pxI1b53nP6MBFHSqFkUbhB8P4jnIkGfyUmh6GBHMntk-3pOyfVkiEEk-t8hSnF8GuoQR5jiA_3uViveWnBbvuAboT2bpTdoArxQfL9ri1LBn8i2nZp/s320/IMG_6184.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>World's end close!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz4xonvvbzwtYv7PhfZK9FzhqROxa6N3HcJRQoNg7QrAwEaPADAWQajeB0BclPZkGElZDOx3yZedL6bQvr9cpUJ1O21DlN67cpxfYr2C9acBNqd_sVeK0JY0sMRhSpFtxXXx3xKhYGJHfe-Rs-Wn1UWBXvqpopNdk-1yoqU88jZzRBF2H6w3VYDqV/s552/IMG_6186.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz4xonvvbzwtYv7PhfZK9FzhqROxa6N3HcJRQoNg7QrAwEaPADAWQajeB0BclPZkGElZDOx3yZedL6bQvr9cpUJ1O21DlN67cpxfYr2C9acBNqd_sVeK0JY0sMRhSpFtxXXx3xKhYGJHfe-Rs-Wn1UWBXvqpopNdk-1yoqU88jZzRBF2H6w3VYDqV/s320/IMG_6186.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Another Outlander location</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyamgoQqIzezXFWn8xsRzUaSqnMcZD-KwOcjIY_N6XseEpVyVeCcQy_Z-4FX0yGe_9RpbMWvc6MTgDSTsg_CjEAIWB2k0sKyEQmbApAwY59zHOyhUWeLaZFIOo2Z4p4KyxBntMdktFO_dbCwrQw2T6vcCMkwIpV53Ajfkuq1ei-HXIzTQqYNglfq_/s552/IMG_6187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyamgoQqIzezXFWn8xsRzUaSqnMcZD-KwOcjIY_N6XseEpVyVeCcQy_Z-4FX0yGe_9RpbMWvc6MTgDSTsg_CjEAIWB2k0sKyEQmbApAwY59zHOyhUWeLaZFIOo2Z4p4KyxBntMdktFO_dbCwrQw2T6vcCMkwIpV53Ajfkuq1ei-HXIzTQqYNglfq_/s320/IMG_6187.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>A boring looking close! There are these too!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7N6UcIofkAewlwg5xY6q_NBab9SDbX9JJa7LQhlNg4KrzEavsfyQ-8MowD0A9SSACrwZLmwqHbxTydJSpGzJUdJ6KmIXmTYe8ceFvfxthfWXAPkXYTB1I67zuJjYYxGpFL3W70Y8FwyjAtM8F7nuu8f6YcBDbCm2AWdc3G11SSZ581kuqPCqJ76U/s552/IMG_6188.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7N6UcIofkAewlwg5xY6q_NBab9SDbX9JJa7LQhlNg4KrzEavsfyQ-8MowD0A9SSACrwZLmwqHbxTydJSpGzJUdJ6KmIXmTYe8ceFvfxthfWXAPkXYTB1I67zuJjYYxGpFL3W70Y8FwyjAtM8F7nuu8f6YcBDbCm2AWdc3G11SSZ581kuqPCqJ76U/s320/IMG_6188.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Looks like a portal that will transport you in time</td>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZeBEa2BPjArYsrmWkPNb6EFvbb7Dqb3J9uH-EjHHbJbe8KBujSuSbDlMNL1kx1Gdql2YkY2QYZnE5IjXMqjqSYyxPnjJ-e2ozjjCIP-Onej2mohVqDjFaXWDEzllwHKzlPSq3fOQ8ggUKGynOA2LOsapcnaU-FnPagk4S774Uak1KvKMVeElR3qC/s552/IMG_6208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZeBEa2BPjArYsrmWkPNb6EFvbb7Dqb3J9uH-EjHHbJbe8KBujSuSbDlMNL1kx1Gdql2YkY2QYZnE5IjXMqjqSYyxPnjJ-e2ozjjCIP-Onej2mohVqDjFaXWDEzllwHKzlPSq3fOQ8ggUKGynOA2LOsapcnaU-FnPagk4S774Uak1KvKMVeElR3qC/s320/IMG_6208.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Inside Tweeddale Court</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4HRz6nbN4SE19CkbkGQUMl7J_E_wWxsFTBvwP6Zizkn_z6cpaA39xUGqddWZW30lVQFv0BpkBPSjkIMakpOjFwYOL7QVMsNe9XDS_1cpuHrBE-xpC1Q6BGwqq5w9a3g4JD8avJb067oLOIASBMeEXZSuSjs0N6kXk1lbN10bz3-3O_L5X8UGMJVH/s552/IMG_6218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4HRz6nbN4SE19CkbkGQUMl7J_E_wWxsFTBvwP6Zizkn_z6cpaA39xUGqddWZW30lVQFv0BpkBPSjkIMakpOjFwYOL7QVMsNe9XDS_1cpuHrBE-xpC1Q6BGwqq5w9a3g4JD8avJb067oLOIASBMeEXZSuSjs0N6kXk1lbN10bz3-3O_L5X8UGMJVH/s320/IMG_6218.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Tweeddale court, further in! Outlander vibes!</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76RwS_jMoJymJqOQJwiVtuAci1CX4B555wYzI4Fi0A1jlHAjwZAymvB5rAqAjlUAMBxI7jfbumDU69E1wkSGQ8E-6-IiO677HP1WPbcXyYrglH9vEeoW5ttjMOr8zFLdhPHaOZWyeiEDAgFViiDh75jro7PEti6SmD4NvNMKOEjceIbmjqt6neOOv/s552/IMG_6240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76RwS_jMoJymJqOQJwiVtuAci1CX4B555wYzI4Fi0A1jlHAjwZAymvB5rAqAjlUAMBxI7jfbumDU69E1wkSGQ8E-6-IiO677HP1WPbcXyYrglH9vEeoW5ttjMOr8zFLdhPHaOZWyeiEDAgFViiDh75jro7PEti6SmD4NvNMKOEjceIbmjqt6neOOv/s320/IMG_6240.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Advocate's close! History to be explored</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbB_qK8OGct0Rdmu-LHzU53GqckJq4yNKBsP6CfY-bLas71sQ_Nea1BHSjNdMg1wDz57BOCA6_dxBUpLl65yM_htRjB1_xm_rdKCH-cOzTMzqYjDw7G8oTF1ZfqTR74d4jUYXBcbeGqpOWSacpBdvpsSL2EWUb7Dr1eN9YuO_Vf0-k2WLIcACw-11/s1467/dunbars-close-garden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbB_qK8OGct0Rdmu-LHzU53GqckJq4yNKBsP6CfY-bLas71sQ_Nea1BHSjNdMg1wDz57BOCA6_dxBUpLl65yM_htRjB1_xm_rdKCH-cOzTMzqYjDw7G8oTF1ZfqTR74d4jUYXBcbeGqpOWSacpBdvpsSL2EWUb7Dr1eN9YuO_Vf0-k2WLIcACw-11/s320/dunbars-close-garden.jpg" width="240" /></a>
</div> Dunbars' close with the hidden garden</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXvULrziqhHu3ISSV8Aop-G9CWA9RigcXxYikinvU3CkVd2HFVClgHDr3JhnEQqEeYyWxnxNrt553JELInDAj71A8OOigKYUfk4kl00R2-LeAcsbsX8AXcdFORTRSRKhISrHfvGphlSC92DN3UJNj644mHwoRDPQOc2MtlR7eLVZsWgsh2ZTVTv-_/s1024/foto-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXvULrziqhHu3ISSV8Aop-G9CWA9RigcXxYikinvU3CkVd2HFVClgHDr3JhnEQqEeYyWxnxNrt553JELInDAj71A8OOigKYUfk4kl00R2-LeAcsbsX8AXcdFORTRSRKhISrHfvGphlSC92DN3UJNj644mHwoRDPQOc2MtlR7eLVZsWgsh2ZTVTv-_/s320/foto-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I believe this was in White Horse close!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44otTA1_j-7Jkq67xkNEXLmQ-aeE_YpfPrxLAuzAV99-jCi_767B12s6Fr9e1YDwt-VJqBWxiHt61SDcrAMKVTdwW-0lqlDjQ-J6yW-fKkbWB85hRDpaHurTHN3WuUM2_aJbyrHpWajMipNQcPKOnVlG_hGIkm8mrS7nddydSdissk2fLlNWw3OUM/s1467/entrance-to-lady-stairs.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44otTA1_j-7Jkq67xkNEXLmQ-aeE_YpfPrxLAuzAV99-jCi_767B12s6Fr9e1YDwt-VJqBWxiHt61SDcrAMKVTdwW-0lqlDjQ-J6yW-fKkbWB85hRDpaHurTHN3WuUM2_aJbyrHpWajMipNQcPKOnVlG_hGIkm8mrS7nddydSdissk2fLlNWw3OUM/s320/entrance-to-lady-stairs.jpg" /></a></div>Ladys' stairs close with the Writers' workshop - leading to lawn market</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw4q1wLDC_Ih7UR5L96LY1bnycNmDXaPlBDJfnHNWM2t_k8C0U1oumOMuzpDX9vaXzlUcb-d9a125Uu49qsc-M6CofJ-3_yRy26sYlTkQzBZLXFrq58gIUNRHak7zkc9mgRTjg1BMX_DmoYd9V4NKYyE-NuPsGULkqO9NH2ezcNqLB56k4RJEi_nx/s726/IMG_5899.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="271" data-original-width="726" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHw4q1wLDC_Ih7UR5L96LY1bnycNmDXaPlBDJfnHNWM2t_k8C0U1oumOMuzpDX9vaXzlUcb-d9a125Uu49qsc-M6CofJ-3_yRy26sYlTkQzBZLXFrq58gIUNRHak7zkc9mgRTjg1BMX_DmoYd9V4NKYyE-NuPsGULkqO9NH2ezcNqLB56k4RJEi_nx/s320/IMG_5899.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I believe this was the view of the mound (with the scottish national gallery) from the bridge over Waverley </td></tr>
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The Royal Mile and Canon Gate (An area on the Royal Mile) is an infusion of culture, scents, sounds and experience! Lot of bagpipe players line this stretch so you are always hearing the musical notes of the bagpipes!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx_fEnGypzTEwf1yQB6ULI9V01bNGTF1dnhYspX6dIxQQPY8B2pVXbC5cOZRLfQQWKXH-PrVCILGgW-ddQ3Lw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
The street was full of life and energy! And ofcourse throngs of people! Here are some more visuals from the area!
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0UPquYKbH0ARwSAoSqdqGy9cKRGVt-HX-fIYQag0GEQiC8xOn9kQjY9B5tdbXt8dDDlVoRynllL9Azx6Fi6maUBeGzEAQJSramJON-3zfrUnY9fFz_0dcHCGJhcWwOf6l1IeJzIrjHTA1sKXftCHQJV5LPRdMN2rJPtZm65iMM_MvJuotgqwWuku/s552/IMG_5904.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0UPquYKbH0ARwSAoSqdqGy9cKRGVt-HX-fIYQag0GEQiC8xOn9kQjY9B5tdbXt8dDDlVoRynllL9Azx6Fi6maUBeGzEAQJSramJON-3zfrUnY9fFz_0dcHCGJhcWwOf6l1IeJzIrjHTA1sKXftCHQJV5LPRdMN2rJPtZm65iMM_MvJuotgqwWuku/s320/IMG_5904.jpg" /></a></div>The buzzling Royal Mile</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtO7mqu8X3P_SI4QRjF800ywk3uVKc5j4mmoiLiiWCQpamg5D0b6Fz39s0ZL8Q_y2zs3SL9ED42lN8EHCP_ZlBZRO-7QEnfnHy1nZX60-rHVF0p6-NyQy6b1-67ausySQIJz38IBnmAmxaOo_5e28u6kAlhc8sNtRZOwftPHCtnPiyPphKWWWAGpd/s552/IMG_5905.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtO7mqu8X3P_SI4QRjF800ywk3uVKc5j4mmoiLiiWCQpamg5D0b6Fz39s0ZL8Q_y2zs3SL9ED42lN8EHCP_ZlBZRO-7QEnfnHy1nZX60-rHVF0p6-NyQy6b1-67ausySQIJz38IBnmAmxaOo_5e28u6kAlhc8sNtRZOwftPHCtnPiyPphKWWWAGpd/s320/IMG_5905.jpg" /></a></div>Tron Kirk - Kirk means Church in Scot</td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kCsG9XZ6zN9h2bH0gVbKMa3w2YREAdgXvp8FqkISYFzwleNDugRTQCezsRPrYLz7ZR7ANnfUTUmtb15vI2V03YTpkQ3pV6BdsElzwUzkn6ylIdZgkIrO_Qfaeqb1hobAfG1xen8mbm72Sv7OjfHA7BYrHTF5xIn96y6x0I0MohzP1O8yUFVfSMtg/s552/IMG_6037.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kCsG9XZ6zN9h2bH0gVbKMa3w2YREAdgXvp8FqkISYFzwleNDugRTQCezsRPrYLz7ZR7ANnfUTUmtb15vI2V03YTpkQ3pV6BdsElzwUzkn6ylIdZgkIrO_Qfaeqb1hobAfG1xen8mbm72Sv7OjfHA7BYrHTF5xIn96y6x0I0MohzP1O8yUFVfSMtg/s320/IMG_6037.jpg" /></a></div>The Hub, formerly The Assembly Hall and Talbooth Church, Castlehill. This is the junction of Lawn market, castle hill - So not the Royal Mile officially</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ybCGJnqieOfa5HUW8i4xF4ftqaWaLxlluLHMW3f0EbEPreHF6Ene6YBfJeag2f63etDGqPVIO5X8BTaJ9bVPU-7idrL1M8Z8JyeajKdNixYvBhirKLNF919GJJ_55gH2n-ui582dJ9IY14xv9lv2SV9cnpcBb3gVguxjwbHvf8ysrsyW7VSotW3t/s552/IMG_6068.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ybCGJnqieOfa5HUW8i4xF4ftqaWaLxlluLHMW3f0EbEPreHF6Ene6YBfJeag2f63etDGqPVIO5X8BTaJ9bVPU-7idrL1M8Z8JyeajKdNixYvBhirKLNF919GJJ_55gH2n-ui582dJ9IY14xv9lv2SV9cnpcBb3gVguxjwbHvf8ysrsyW7VSotW3t/s320/IMG_6068.jpg" /></a></div>St Giles Cathedral</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJYqjM-Sn3h1CfCCqZaE2mSC-U_LQVIVFj5YTJ8wPhOO3nbSQ8j-U2nIt2Qud6HIzWiO6O2nJ-9vr9_phME-do8NFRuQPkGM7bDNzYtqs_z27eNJRifd0zbuaSnwXUzpslaqtQQM5SyWPQnJeuLe5rdl6LYqvKvitLM9q0rwOlzBavwsW6nXvGB2o/s552/IMG_6070.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJYqjM-Sn3h1CfCCqZaE2mSC-U_LQVIVFj5YTJ8wPhOO3nbSQ8j-U2nIt2Qud6HIzWiO6O2nJ-9vr9_phME-do8NFRuQPkGM7bDNzYtqs_z27eNJRifd0zbuaSnwXUzpslaqtQQM5SyWPQnJeuLe5rdl6LYqvKvitLM9q0rwOlzBavwsW6nXvGB2o/s320/IMG_6070.jpg" /></a></div>Tolbooth Tavern of Outlander fame</td>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4toOPOoEzFobaKrZb23EYz2Jkjy_0Nvf2cBPZdCfaReRZtNj_dClAS8czGOkxBISx_lnmOaDHB6uZK_FzbNhAp3mCG3DdgyjrgDdtzA0Irib6NzOTh__XToQsX9VLT4vYBQUt8ZAPuG_YPqg36TKEuJoS2LGZr5OiXdvFydJhRAcPSi01vZs11CSs/s736/IMG_6189.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4toOPOoEzFobaKrZb23EYz2Jkjy_0Nvf2cBPZdCfaReRZtNj_dClAS8czGOkxBISx_lnmOaDHB6uZK_FzbNhAp3mCG3DdgyjrgDdtzA0Irib6NzOTh__XToQsX9VLT4vYBQUt8ZAPuG_YPqg36TKEuJoS2LGZr5OiXdvFydJhRAcPSi01vZs11CSs/s320/IMG_6189.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Governor house on Calton Hill as seen from a close on Royal Mile</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qc2FJt5IBRJltTFiktUo_7M2wezYS9RvMgR9QaPOutFKR1VAbb6f1UPzL8jiR2R1XbmNmjZjlYQrL200J_WvEsa04Vs4mBhLrBo7Knnlbodwfa-ZOHQfc9k02gC1L1YzpZD7u3IWHIuAq1LPkcZL51zxrMl855xRKB-6Irpne-vSWS1xBxGKGH4U/s552/IMG_6231.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qc2FJt5IBRJltTFiktUo_7M2wezYS9RvMgR9QaPOutFKR1VAbb6f1UPzL8jiR2R1XbmNmjZjlYQrL200J_WvEsa04Vs4mBhLrBo7Knnlbodwfa-ZOHQfc9k02gC1L1YzpZD7u3IWHIuAq1LPkcZL51zxrMl855xRKB-6Irpne-vSWS1xBxGKGH4U/s320/IMG_6231.jpg" /></a></div>Just keep walking and experiencing the mile!<br /><br /></td>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8s8pAAbFom-kGvV4gE8yh4gj6Nai5KHJUxZfwZTBm13_LTuM65Eufi6WuJwHetQl9eXK5knX8JarvE8gCdW-Y5lUBXUyfp0RTfB1nLNyGse__ARMyVkJgW5GR5kzLupw5wzFlv7j9uYYFodaIJ9nlZI7GPw2IZswTM_1IBI4RXvCZnF-y20s731G/s552/IMG_6241.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8s8pAAbFom-kGvV4gE8yh4gj6Nai5KHJUxZfwZTBm13_LTuM65Eufi6WuJwHetQl9eXK5knX8JarvE8gCdW-Y5lUBXUyfp0RTfB1nLNyGse__ARMyVkJgW5GR5kzLupw5wzFlv7j9uYYFodaIJ9nlZI7GPw2IZswTM_1IBI4RXvCZnF-y20s731G/s320/IMG_6241.jpg" /></a>Edinburgh city chambers on the mile. I believe that was a unicorn on the top</div></td></tr>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7gl9xaHGbo9Rww7LmcL4RCz3C9jIpZIW0FlY4RVH_VBn88EnkCncKqii5EdixUNfljesOtcL_dcnGdrkVh_RGppvAat1BOE1FxHt73Mz8PtOMq2YveGA5-o7_Zm7_f4t9iTH-4qtkOHNBCOT96jKrdrxEfVTjUfbBlm8mtYpGt6G1oo-fpkALM9g/s736/IMG_6171.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7gl9xaHGbo9Rww7LmcL4RCz3C9jIpZIW0FlY4RVH_VBn88EnkCncKqii5EdixUNfljesOtcL_dcnGdrkVh_RGppvAat1BOE1FxHt73Mz8PtOMq2YveGA5-o7_Zm7_f4t9iTH-4qtkOHNBCOT96jKrdrxEfVTjUfbBlm8mtYpGt6G1oo-fpkALM9g/s320/IMG_6171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view inside the campus! See the amazing crags in the background!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8s8pAAbFom-kGvV4gE8yh4gj6Nai5KHJUxZfwZTBm13_LTuM65Eufi6WuJwHetQl9eXK5knX8JarvE8gCdW-Y5lUBXUyfp0RTfB1nLNyGse__ARMyVkJgW5GR5kzLupw5wzFlv7j9uYYFodaIJ9nlZI7GPw2IZswTM_1IBI4RXvCZnF-y20s731G/s552/IMG_6241.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div></td></tr>
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The architecture and details in the buildings were simply astounding. These cantilevers remind me of the architecture in some of the temples in India! I was spell bound and captivated!
This entire blog with all its pictures just spans the 1.1 mile that constitutes the Royal Mile! And I havent even made a scratch! As you can tell I had a lot of time on my hands to explore this beautiful city and the weather except for the first day was so cooperative! There is a lot more to explore in Edinburgh! The Royal Mile is also home to an Underground tour at Mary Kings close and the Camera Obscura which is an interesting attraction! Its also home to a number of pubs and street cafes! Great vive and energy at the Mile! We stayed on the mile in the Canongate area! It certainly is expensive but well worth it to stay so close to all the action!</div>
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</table>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-59795753120792189982022-07-19T08:43:00.003-04:002022-07-19T17:37:59.781-04:00The Scots! The food, the weather and some whisky!<p> The Scots are supposed to be a warm friendly bunch! They definitely have my empathy having to live in the shadow of the Brits! Scotland's history as I understand is also dotted with a number of religious wars like the Jacobite rising and the religious persecution of the past! Their history is very much like India's with the constant struggle for Independence with the union of the crowns happening in 1700's. Finally as late as 1999, The Scottish Parliament reconvened and the Parliament Building opened at the foot of the Royal Mile in 2004.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcneAKsl0yZLV0XG9GqLh_kJm3DpemqEoRyQyMx0XQ3YUcIxiv0O-k0fi3wTx8BwJ5J1iTOpVByT1qzi87YOil9b-8mD3SYdS3DqFAeR4rAqPA3HZO_MvteY6UAP5J7VQwTqim8rmCkeG6nkCc5rtjnSoW-B3M4p0ZmIF1Jq94mVczrOhPPXYF0db/s812/IMG_5838.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="812" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcneAKsl0yZLV0XG9GqLh_kJm3DpemqEoRyQyMx0XQ3YUcIxiv0O-k0fi3wTx8BwJ5J1iTOpVByT1qzi87YOil9b-8mD3SYdS3DqFAeR4rAqPA3HZO_MvteY6UAP5J7VQwTqim8rmCkeG6nkCc5rtjnSoW-B3M4p0ZmIF1Jq94mVczrOhPPXYF0db/s320/IMG_5838.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We will talk more about architecture later, but this building was quite the anomaly! At the end of the Royal mile that is dotted with historic building and right across from the Holyrood palace, this modern looking structure looks very out of place!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI61Ba37BorUwjp5FktcGSOwzDGSZhN0UicnycQAqLp271raG77tTDJnsXx5GYG26T52Ee9glvP7JvWL76Prf1l0lnyvBOl2ltWQXdMDvgUG5bszlNtVVGIXtHxBLuL1ZrhJ82YsFRj5mYf4CqyYsm46oPGGQic02rN-Tdx0NGzHq519La-8kQGI_/s1200/caption.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI61Ba37BorUwjp5FktcGSOwzDGSZhN0UicnycQAqLp271raG77tTDJnsXx5GYG26T52Ee9glvP7JvWL76Prf1l0lnyvBOl2ltWQXdMDvgUG5bszlNtVVGIXtHxBLuL1ZrhJ82YsFRj5mYf4CqyYsm46oPGGQic02rN-Tdx0NGzHq519La-8kQGI_/s320/caption.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance, they have a visitor gift shop and I believe daily tours as well</td></tr></tbody></table>
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<p>I cant say I know enough of Scottish history to share anything at all! I am still learning and to speed that up I start with this book! A bit of outlander influence here but am looking forward to my read (I bought this book on a down day in Scotland when I explored what claimed to be Edinburgh's oldest bookshop! Although it hardly looked the part!) This was Blackwell's on South Bridge!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCish8Mv7XWCQp6x6f77cEiLKmlDQDeCgV-IyZidzBHwlVgbkaAZHC-ijqNjWSoT8b7W8muzUJvHVjgedp7psfSo9iR1udIJ8_3m-TrGw5B69ApjqbXTqKFJ1gZF3JrCHbT9zjRc2iFCH62l7p8RCG3gBQGxUWW0Cgcbh4yxQhSfc3pmsgmcb0CfF/s4032/IMG_6387.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCish8Mv7XWCQp6x6f77cEiLKmlDQDeCgV-IyZidzBHwlVgbkaAZHC-ijqNjWSoT8b7W8muzUJvHVjgedp7psfSo9iR1udIJ8_3m-TrGw5B69ApjqbXTqKFJ1gZF3JrCHbT9zjRc2iFCH62l7p8RCG3gBQGxUWW0Cgcbh4yxQhSfc3pmsgmcb0CfF/s320/IMG_6387.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I can tell that my Scotland account is going to be all over the place, so I am going to try to reign it in a little bit! So first we will start with a scottish breakfast! For breakfast we head over to Loudons on Sibbald Walk at Royal Mile</p>
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<td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxEMAGn34eRGqJhZ6RNcjhRGS-y2LkU5eIrHNP0BotGxzlLG-GYT5X969AMGothn7a_EKiEuVZRK-Oj2f-5kDciaeGf3ZG9KRzzF8w_refUlvCg3HTbh0Z8qn4W8xlHUkSeaPVaVslecYQhjKYqKNlz-kBZvdHAxweyyunLK9Hr_TEqX3udAvFU1p/s736/IMG_5836.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxEMAGn34eRGqJhZ6RNcjhRGS-y2LkU5eIrHNP0BotGxzlLG-GYT5X969AMGothn7a_EKiEuVZRK-Oj2f-5kDciaeGf3ZG9KRzzF8w_refUlvCg3HTbh0Z8qn4W8xlHUkSeaPVaVslecYQhjKYqKNlz-kBZvdHAxweyyunLK9Hr_TEqX3udAvFU1p/s320/IMG_5836.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The full deal but vegetarian style! Haggis, Black Pudding and Tattie Scones! With the bean and eggs!</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
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<p>The Scottish breakfast typically has Bacon and eggs with Black Pudding that is a fried/ baked sausage cut into rounds. I assume the vegetarian version has some black beans and some mushrooms and other veggies. Haggis is usually made out of animal left overs and oats and spices. The vege version was made out of Lentils. The Tattie Scone (a triangular potato patty) is a staple! I later had it on bread and these are served with grilled mushrooms, tomato's and what I believe were grilled Parsnips rounded up the meal! We also devoured a roasted cauliflower soup that we forgot to click a picture of that was just heavenly on the cold, chilly morning!</p><p>Food wise I have always been happy with food in Europe! Everywhere we have been so far (with the exception of Greece) we have been able to find good, delicious food! Scotland was no exception! We of course tried the Scottish staples including their famous Scottish pies. They have adapted to people like me and had a lot of vegetarian options! There was a lot of other cuisines we tried as well. here are a few shout outs!</p><p>Pakora Indian on Royal Mile - Has a lot of different types of Pakora chat! Very interesting taste on Pakora and some other Indian comfort food! We loved their traditional Dal Chawal!</p><p>Kampong Ah Lee - Malaysian food! This little hole in the wall place had amazing food! Hands down you need to try this! We had a soup that we were all fighting over! And some spicy noodles that was just heavenly!</p><p>Cafe Andaluz - Spanish food! This is a Tapas place, and we weren't big fans! But the food is pretty authentic spanish! So do try if you like the cuisine!</p><p>Kalpna - This Indian food joint came recommended as well. It was decent food and chat!</p><p>Noodles and Dumplings - Best Chinese food in town!</p><p>Pho on St James Quarter Shopping Mall - Best Viatnamese Pho I have tasted! We ofcourse got their Spicy bowl and loved every delicious sip of it! Location is fantastic too! Great shopping mall near St Andrew Square! Multrees Walk right next to this has a lively luxury shopping district!</p><p>The Royal Mile also had a number of quaint little shops for Pastries, wraps and such which were all yummy! And there is a Pizza express on North Bridge which we had come to enjoy! [Tip: Tap water is of great quality in Edinburgh! We didn't know and bought water the first couple days after which we started just drinking from the tap! Bring a bottle, fill and enjoy!]</p>
[Tip: Tipping in UK is generally not mandatory but is welcomed. We did tip in most places. But you have to remember to ask to tip. If you use card they will just bring you the machine and key in the $ amount. So let them know you would like to tip! UK wages are on par so tip is not an expectation. But we like to when we like the service and it was welcome.]
<p>Shopping in Scotland is interesting. Everything closes between 7 and 8. So you better get your shopping in fast! On the Royal Mile lots of Souvenir stores but they are all chain stores owned by non locals that the 3-4 locals on the mile detest! Be on the guard! I bought a couple of kilts for Tootsie and me! Tootsie;s from a fast talking local that tricket me! I probably ended up paying 10 pounds more for a polyester kilt! I was trying to help the local economy instead of feeding the chain stores! My kilt I got from another local merchant but this one was pure scottish wool and although I paid more I felt better doing it!</p><p>Next the Scottish weather!</p><p>The weather in Scotland is tempermental to put it mildly! They apparently had a heat wave when we were out there! The first day was windy and cold! But then it warmed up (to their heat wave temperatures) which to us from Hotlanta was pleasant and fantastic! We were really happy to have fantastic weather through our stay in UK. But it is best to be prepared, we had it all rain jackets, umbrellas and jackets to layer up!</p><p>Last but not the least Scottish Whisky!</p><p>Since our trip was restricted to Edinburgh we did a geek version of the whisky tour! A barrel ride with lots of insights into the different regions of Scotland and the process of making and of course experiencing whisky!</p>
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<p>There are 6 regions in Scotland that produce different types of Whisky!</p><p>First the Lowlands since that where we were! Yes Edinburgh and Glasgow and the south of Scotland cover the lowlands. Whisky here is light and gentle, grown inland and has smells that remind you of the grass lands, with some tones of toffee and cinnamon! M really liked the whisky from this region and we brought back one from Auchentoshan!</p><p>Campbeltown is the smallest region with under 5 distilleries. There was a bit of a smoky smell to these, and these whiskies were generally supposed to be dry!</p><p>Next is the Highlands! The largest area and something we are familiar with in the US. Oban, Glenmorangie and Dalmore being some common names! Very malty whiskies from this region!</p><p>Speyside is right next to Highland, north of Inverness. Light sweet fruity whisky from this region! Very popular in the US you have Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Macallan from this region. To the untrained like me the whiskies here pretty much resemble the Highland whisky.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Islay whisky is the Whisky trail of Scotland! These are by far my favorite with the Peaty flavors! I absolutely love Ardberg and Laphroig from this region!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FOHfromIlENW_fK-iuVjNGbk9mCkic73bvCBx6lOvwfoFvVGdIHEAFOapw41bd2iTx9edw-cqVoCpDfbPHxaBIuEZeIBnzn_aX4EeR7oUaRngRDopw4QzdF7BRKEo1VG5CU-TqDWHaSL_C0R4ZCwtEcnxncGenN8eSvbnyZTNkrnOa3S4kiRcf7l/s736/IMG_6066.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FOHfromIlENW_fK-iuVjNGbk9mCkic73bvCBx6lOvwfoFvVGdIHEAFOapw41bd2iTx9edw-cqVoCpDfbPHxaBIuEZeIBnzn_aX4EeR7oUaRngRDopw4QzdF7BRKEo1VG5CU-TqDWHaSL_C0R4ZCwtEcnxncGenN8eSvbnyZTNkrnOa3S4kiRcf7l/s320/IMG_6066.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Now with Food, Drink and Weather out of the way, lets explore the sights of Edinburgh in my next post! Can you tell I am in love with Scotland? I cant wait to go back!</p>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-89351675624002391112022-07-18T10:12:00.001-04:002022-07-18T10:12:31.805-04:00Chuga Chuga chug! Onwards to Scotland!<p>When we first planned the UK trip as always we wanted to have it all! So against popular advice we planned for 2 countries - England and Scotland! With Scotland being what we were fondly looking forward to! I had booked these wonderful Inns and Bed and Breakfast across Scotland and put together this monumental road trip around the Highlands and Skye! But as you know by now luck intervened in the form of Covid and a missing wallet! And the car rental company saw an opportunity and seized it! Demanding 1000 pounds for the upgrade to automatic (for 3 day rental)! So we canceled everything and headed on to Edinburgh!</p><p>For lunch the kids were craving Pizza! So we went looking for a Pizza express (a chain) right next door to us! In this setting with a little canal (Paddington Basin) was a really nice little area to have lunch! A little reminiscent of Venice the Paddington canal flows through central London from Hayes in Little Venice to Limehouse Basin. It is the same canal we saw a couple of days ago at the Paddington station. It ends at Paddington Basin right next door to where we stayed! Had I known we would have explored a little boat ride to the Rembrandt Gardens in Little Venice! But too late now, we needed to head off to the station to catch our train to Scotland!<br /></p><p>
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<p>The veterans that we were, we were all set to lug our luggage through the underground train and head to Kings cross for our express train to Scotland! But in the end after a look at M, I decided to be kind and call an Uber! Not to mention I had also made a mess of our Oyster cards by swiping the wrong card and 2 of our cards now had a negative balance! However London traffic is crazy! So it took us 40 mins and a circuitous route to get to Kings cross that otherwise would have taken 10-15 mins!</p><p>However M perked up when we passed by this neat little surprise! His cricket genes kicked in and he immediately was excited!</p>
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<p>But no time to stop! Onwards to Kings cross to get on our LNER express train to Edinburgh! I had booked ahead in first class and had got some great prices! Look online on nationalrail.co.uk for some great deals! Unlimited beverages/ drinks and a meal was provided on the train.</p>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb_-fP-RuNdrgMjl2Y0xGp8sYdkZvpTQpmh9mMc3svvRqa0jw4iR3HmXijFhDc2OMRFEhuKZ9jvguRpIRiIUqAfDXVCqEN-t4l_aUkRg_FowEx-G9FZ-nFw6sZVpmDw-XtI6VMFYNERT-vu6Bm-jNxrNpkccaPrj03--O54HxYlhgfqbrSJolGshf/s552/IMG_5762.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb_-fP-RuNdrgMjl2Y0xGp8sYdkZvpTQpmh9mMc3svvRqa0jw4iR3HmXijFhDc2OMRFEhuKZ9jvguRpIRiIUqAfDXVCqEN-t4l_aUkRg_FowEx-G9FZ-nFw6sZVpmDw-XtI6VMFYNERT-vu6Bm-jNxrNpkccaPrj03--O54HxYlhgfqbrSJolGshf/s320/IMG_5762.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first class lounge</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51a8m-9dRXVnko4oEXXQtLDIeBDO9oTgYoUpba3DRzlLnNvW55582aK_Omas2sFqFfPmsVu1EvDdFaTjGgj14WsYLxtruizCaA2da7gqS6EG-2nI5j_pmIpoBJRJp2FgaXjoAIZDtd8knpORaqFtMNaO9_TfRcsb4FADQO5tst6GaeX3KXERpbhrV/s736/IMG_5764.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51a8m-9dRXVnko4oEXXQtLDIeBDO9oTgYoUpba3DRzlLnNvW55582aK_Omas2sFqFfPmsVu1EvDdFaTjGgj14WsYLxtruizCaA2da7gqS6EG-2nI5j_pmIpoBJRJp2FgaXjoAIZDtd8knpORaqFtMNaO9_TfRcsb4FADQO5tst6GaeX3KXERpbhrV/s320/IMG_5764.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All aboard! </td></tr></tbody></table></td>
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The train ride itself was 4.5 hrs long and was uneventful! It took us through some very picturesque locations in Northern England! Some of the towns in England-Scotland border looked heavenly! Here are some pictures from our fast moving train!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnrpMvMqz03m4Y2dbVAMclfWiSgUMhhOO4KlHnMO6fpB9XoMhlwWqOUZzn7dN9VTSfVpiWoP0zN3xpn0pBNpUlVGS6Onn8ESx4Gpn9p_yepjD7ZPDB229t6UkAeiqoAycS518bSL57c5chokG9n1TnNyCpLhZzOw0cflRMKTrT0gUwvDqSQjj8_zo/s736/IMG_5770.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnrpMvMqz03m4Y2dbVAMclfWiSgUMhhOO4KlHnMO6fpB9XoMhlwWqOUZzn7dN9VTSfVpiWoP0zN3xpn0pBNpUlVGS6Onn8ESx4Gpn9p_yepjD7ZPDB229t6UkAeiqoAycS518bSL57c5chokG9n1TnNyCpLhZzOw0cflRMKTrT0gUwvDqSQjj8_zo/s320/IMG_5770.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doncaster station - Mani has a colleague with that last name!</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlGo4fh4U8C98k60kUDiE6WP6RJfOgpsvRfqw1naoB2TWy2DqvhPoL2zU29TR327-CyC-eiwdHvaZa4oTf29ytCTI0Y64Q47nUNnsxQpEFFavD_kYxZdYcG9eyPR5e7q8T0rlv5ZuFzJKItIIyXBC7Z17B7bkYKBfibvEl7tGF-Up7K8y8ZgV3e0h/s725/IMG_5779.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="725" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlGo4fh4U8C98k60kUDiE6WP6RJfOgpsvRfqw1naoB2TWy2DqvhPoL2zU29TR327-CyC-eiwdHvaZa4oTf29ytCTI0Y64Q47nUNnsxQpEFFavD_kYxZdYcG9eyPR5e7q8T0rlv5ZuFzJKItIIyXBC7Z17B7bkYKBfibvEl7tGF-Up7K8y8ZgV3e0h/s320/IMG_5779.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bridge over river Tyne at New Castle!</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrAvcE5t1XvmhvmL8BZq1S0n_xUsaM7Rw7wRVELANnhI4vpuvH8ILwZtnWQWqwJXrmi6_p-U2740nixirsY7K9_WlH28LernurDOBJh6ZpN6h6eMBOUQVH6UqqNiG5GNgsbhnWl9BbwIfP8S5_22XHIEFC_qgZmbtjYdR9OV-iUXxZr-xvTBBavwF/s561/IMG_5773.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="561" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrAvcE5t1XvmhvmL8BZq1S0n_xUsaM7Rw7wRVELANnhI4vpuvH8ILwZtnWQWqwJXrmi6_p-U2740nixirsY7K9_WlH28LernurDOBJh6ZpN6h6eMBOUQVH6UqqNiG5GNgsbhnWl9BbwIfP8S5_22XHIEFC_qgZmbtjYdR9OV-iUXxZr-xvTBBavwF/s320/IMG_5773.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castles as we roll by!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFm_qo6VDZP0QgFubjOiOqRMz1UZv7AHgQywrSRDrSsfmgwVs1YFuKliCYWG0TTFilzCsp1i0JTOirvkCVyqWz5oJf54y-Q4M3tnHerAGEpVWQ_rPTzlHJtdKwC52i5R0EamnsyLjY45NeD_egjz0Eo_mrAT8OicR08dQC3iaKAolvaeBi6kPJBxN/s708/IMG_5782.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="708" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFm_qo6VDZP0QgFubjOiOqRMz1UZv7AHgQywrSRDrSsfmgwVs1YFuKliCYWG0TTFilzCsp1i0JTOirvkCVyqWz5oJf54y-Q4M3tnHerAGEpVWQ_rPTzlHJtdKwC52i5R0EamnsyLjY45NeD_egjz0Eo_mrAT8OicR08dQC3iaKAolvaeBi6kPJBxN/s320/IMG_5782.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close look at another castle!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6avo6F-jRoe8MkuhaDc5H39q9Pa2ZoCBaClmPSrMbXMYm04FtHIcZF62TvQWjM5ho1-UtR0TuT_cBRidIwLpewdNUwjlxfKn-MOBjSwBw2a9Ncb_GPkbflUJR0U6cGj6Lz5r9xiOk6_1c4Z8s8n4ZNsgIlATsK6wYeCYAzHhdLCs90fLXWLzEgJ8/s736/IMG_5785.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6avo6F-jRoe8MkuhaDc5H39q9Pa2ZoCBaClmPSrMbXMYm04FtHIcZF62TvQWjM5ho1-UtR0TuT_cBRidIwLpewdNUwjlxfKn-MOBjSwBw2a9Ncb_GPkbflUJR0U6cGj6Lz5r9xiOk6_1c4Z8s8n4ZNsgIlATsK6wYeCYAzHhdLCs90fLXWLzEgJ8/s320/IMG_5785.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe this was a town called Morpeth<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
</td><td style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLe8RLfz1PiqV_MgRe2Jof5hCxjX6LTwPqkVUZVigze3H7H78jPfNq1nTt2Fk9Hbd1EhWmWOtZZGOU3zum2sLlibLwkglFlvnbMyFU7HHe7V34Sdzi9U3ehlIitwktQwLSjprP3DtbL4zpYWXT4dryPIlKktNaT5I8gjAeqqUt9149bdxbixofkLB/s654/IMG_5790.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="654" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLe8RLfz1PiqV_MgRe2Jof5hCxjX6LTwPqkVUZVigze3H7H78jPfNq1nTt2Fk9Hbd1EhWmWOtZZGOU3zum2sLlibLwkglFlvnbMyFU7HHe7V34Sdzi9U3ehlIitwktQwLSjprP3DtbL4zpYWXT4dryPIlKktNaT5I8gjAeqqUt9149bdxbixofkLB/s320/IMG_5790.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The English country side! <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
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<td style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dMObkUI_z8qE0FLe_rFo4ZDoOVF-XhCgyDLJb6lVi_YGtJ7hw30sLjXUZixcUb2uRd54e8qGyLM_BtqBmOb7JwN2aTT91Qu9Wb-yXZuOykacJoeEa2Wvj6vFX3gZkQi65Tto7jjjIObAhLnMg98Bzu8bpzfmIy96lhAwVIjUq5l8f87_rvpoi9ip/s736/IMG_5780.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dMObkUI_z8qE0FLe_rFo4ZDoOVF-XhCgyDLJb6lVi_YGtJ7hw30sLjXUZixcUb2uRd54e8qGyLM_BtqBmOb7JwN2aTT91Qu9Wb-yXZuOykacJoeEa2Wvj6vFX3gZkQi65Tto7jjjIObAhLnMg98Bzu8bpzfmIy96lhAwVIjUq5l8f87_rvpoi9ip/s320/IMG_5780.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spires!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuU39rPoNV4P4NRIrZuh3Y22tP9MzfikKO_orSKmfvpNtYZamILw_9rV9Lj3CNu6Y0__j4_sfzapuB_lJ5brvKD6HL19bQ4ps22aLw11-sdnimQq6Y9xpiJW2NGmTB6M-tKcAyxrM0c_QJ66i319VE9I682aq5yrGRpCjxaIpwizqpBpAiK2a80HF/s436/IMG_5797.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="436" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuU39rPoNV4P4NRIrZuh3Y22tP9MzfikKO_orSKmfvpNtYZamILw_9rV9Lj3CNu6Y0__j4_sfzapuB_lJ5brvKD6HL19bQ4ps22aLw11-sdnimQq6Y9xpiJW2NGmTB6M-tKcAyxrM0c_QJ66i319VE9I682aq5yrGRpCjxaIpwizqpBpAiK2a80HF/s320/IMG_5797.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berwick upon Tweed</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvwq0KG0Rm85acwzG9Rfz6eWgMaquxrx__ssY6gRJcypY8Mm5vbJhekIeZstkcL3L6FSPCjTCjw9W6Za4srRViYW99cPscVEc7xw6IS361kbKIFOWQC_heOj8MUuxF-wBpg-96281EFr_Zh8iazOitFEp0Za-9sN3MePsaaweIfmcBEz8V40Vtmbd/s736/IMG_5805.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvwq0KG0Rm85acwzG9Rfz6eWgMaquxrx__ssY6gRJcypY8Mm5vbJhekIeZstkcL3L6FSPCjTCjw9W6Za4srRViYW99cPscVEc7xw6IS361kbKIFOWQC_heOj8MUuxF-wBpg-96281EFr_Zh8iazOitFEp0Za-9sN3MePsaaweIfmcBEz8V40Vtmbd/s320/IMG_5805.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berwick upon Tweed! Last English town before you reach Scotland</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPPuUHHC3d7ZfR53Yd6PVVl0BqKne3iFtf03gOeZVNEKtFYUvEIRb1_ugJzOjXLC0StwQ3G3dAS0FK1tYjd_ryIKG5ieATnPopR_C7KrtfS5miJ-9Q06Ny2nc2f-JkVadCv53hzCSI609RH2VWYqxLamDgTY54UwevploMWVWvEl_W7hcY1pocOvR/s903/IMG_5796.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="903" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPPuUHHC3d7ZfR53Yd6PVVl0BqKne3iFtf03gOeZVNEKtFYUvEIRb1_ugJzOjXLC0StwQ3G3dAS0FK1tYjd_ryIKG5ieATnPopR_C7KrtfS5miJ-9Q06Ny2nc2f-JkVadCv53hzCSI609RH2VWYqxLamDgTY54UwevploMWVWvEl_W7hcY1pocOvR/s320/IMG_5796.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a beautiful town Berwick upon Tweed! Couldn't get enough of it!</td></tr></tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcL-vqXQJEr-oeLk2ItuZRHyJBheSlh40QHHVCdHKs_5a7ehKCz4Frt95JzoNdt4n6tWhvtI6L1bBQvQ1XPtdASJNRnouNETtFyqDzZr6-r_ctLh24WoHTPqroRzO8956Z7S-2q4JldzWB_5l4IUIpuUJAGwFEIiiGrSxAOUY38P203ZUG_22Q9tjq/s631/IMG_5813.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="631" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcL-vqXQJEr-oeLk2ItuZRHyJBheSlh40QHHVCdHKs_5a7ehKCz4Frt95JzoNdt4n6tWhvtI6L1bBQvQ1XPtdASJNRnouNETtFyqDzZr6-r_ctLh24WoHTPqroRzO8956Z7S-2q4JldzWB_5l4IUIpuUJAGwFEIiiGrSxAOUY38P203ZUG_22Q9tjq/s320/IMG_5813.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Careston Castle Scotland! This castle is available for sale if you are interested!</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFx5g16m9gpdZ189hAKAHDxn5lsYaU6RCe2ZK5UHGLgfhu5Iho1pgNrINR4u0EJpy7Oj8cL1qCnEOyU6wIH1PK1rVohPEODlifqDy9t_csurX4FgV1RgGgG1JkZE3HJF2XmsuZTGngDd4C67b5UCOyPICu2Nwn-9YaFFDSeNiZk5tkCYkv_FY42aY/s744/IMG_5817.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="744" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFx5g16m9gpdZ189hAKAHDxn5lsYaU6RCe2ZK5UHGLgfhu5Iho1pgNrINR4u0EJpy7Oj8cL1qCnEOyU6wIH1PK1rVohPEODlifqDy9t_csurX4FgV1RgGgG1JkZE3HJF2XmsuZTGngDd4C67b5UCOyPICu2Nwn-9YaFFDSeNiZk5tkCYkv_FY42aY/s320/IMG_5817.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Ness lighthouse at Dunbar, East Lothian</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The train journey through the English country side is picturesque! M is always curious about the crops that are grown! Apparently oilseed rape is the most common (besides Wheat and Barley). We saw a lot of the bright yellow of the oilseed or canola! A vegetable oil that is also used as bio diesel! I found that fascinating, you can either put it into your vehicle and drive or use it to fry your food! How versatile!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the scenic train ride, we arrived at Edinburgh! I was of course very excited to be there and even though it was almost 9 PM and everyone was exhausted and giving me the glares I was trying to breathe in Scotland as I walked to the apartment we had in Old town!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAVF_YnWuhxv2P_zZqpOMhjFOT4Y_xablrBNDi7PA-C347Ti2rN4LWZ7DeY55SpDuQeyIjkpBr7KGwtrj0HFNPlGEDhkB8kpfcyzzs9h_ykaNnRRZAa6V9PKrkS-tu9XG3zkJ2ZULpVUfExjiWZBke4MYfe-VqWQYnWCVmtUh_WaPOAZeiOaFKQHg/s552/IMG_5819.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAVF_YnWuhxv2P_zZqpOMhjFOT4Y_xablrBNDi7PA-C347Ti2rN4LWZ7DeY55SpDuQeyIjkpBr7KGwtrj0HFNPlGEDhkB8kpfcyzzs9h_ykaNnRRZAa6V9PKrkS-tu9XG3zkJ2ZULpVUfExjiWZBke4MYfe-VqWQYnWCVmtUh_WaPOAZeiOaFKQHg/s320/IMG_5819.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and daughter lead the way at the Edinburgh waverley station! We are starting to feel the chill of Scotland already!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ym728ecMw4w0r3ryn-js5Dn5KqNpSiV_0SclkO0mcRooE3NyAEBj9fJeopQg0pNEe1meP3O1WnRTH6zpzuULlUaehRFUDCQarbFGN_Hc4Am8hrTqpBSlh8Ix3VynrgEXuA9yzrTrnyhAvSDpe5kWDjKybwMpJemCB_oH_5cK1fUkZikZndsm863e/s552/IMG_5820.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ym728ecMw4w0r3ryn-js5Dn5KqNpSiV_0SclkO0mcRooE3NyAEBj9fJeopQg0pNEe1meP3O1WnRTH6zpzuULlUaehRFUDCQarbFGN_Hc4Am8hrTqpBSlh8Ix3VynrgEXuA9yzrTrnyhAvSDpe5kWDjKybwMpJemCB_oH_5cK1fUkZikZndsm863e/s320/IMG_5820.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just outside Waverley! The Scotsman! (Cheeky turns around to glare at mom bringing the camera out again!)</td></tr></tbody></table>
</td><td style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpPTcuDt8OX7sk38vrKzBq0eEG0peFV_83UXQBv2UizqGJ1PbQcSHzXowy_hdNkk0TKIInYkppmE162zH3xgxMmS6vJoZ_PlvIFHlnseiU1eZ-67ooDuijOgRroH9Ny9fWgh43HXmV-n-xItLMtr3KefTaQLbG7VZFrLAOFETt-8Zo1EN6lw645cO/s552/IMG_5828.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpPTcuDt8OX7sk38vrKzBq0eEG0peFV_83UXQBv2UizqGJ1PbQcSHzXowy_hdNkk0TKIInYkppmE162zH3xgxMmS6vJoZ_PlvIFHlnseiU1eZ-67ooDuijOgRroH9Ny9fWgh43HXmV-n-xItLMtr3KefTaQLbG7VZFrLAOFETt-8Zo1EN6lw645cO/s320/IMG_5828.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The streets of Old town Edinburgh that greeted us (This picture may have been taken the next morning!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCoLJNrNOt7dfYLM7iTe8VurbaYjWADrFGzZlHa5h3birlD29P8pS65T1FGZHgBWYlYtJLAMgB8qz9MR4EghrviisHfDSFFPwxQkTL4qago013abTIxWdaksbT14oeOdmfhsJEdH7q7-1gY4sqJwvEUcfrGgR3wr45lKL6ebGjtvksR-ysrKqrLiE/s736/IMG_5823.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCoLJNrNOt7dfYLM7iTe8VurbaYjWADrFGzZlHa5h3birlD29P8pS65T1FGZHgBWYlYtJLAMgB8qz9MR4EghrviisHfDSFFPwxQkTL4qago013abTIxWdaksbT14oeOdmfhsJEdH7q7-1gY4sqJwvEUcfrGgR3wr45lKL6ebGjtvksR-ysrKqrLiE/s320/IMG_5823.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our quaint little apartment with the the cute kitchen! Rest of the apartment was trashed in no time by my hillbilly family!</td></tr></tbody></table></td>
<td style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiFWSNdgDDTdCbBpNjoj6pRtYDExBioFWQWtvGhLTSfpDkL3-5DdaYRR-PAaK-9YVIHYU4aETUCmqMyMDWTU51DfCcESksvt6SCe9mCJ8DUlJz6BzGYbQkPxhPkRBrBNRQb9y1B7PNL-Q5VXkEej1PXWkaQ_IxYLEJqHGP471ZTmTNjL56pUc4_QZ/s736/IMG_5821.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiFWSNdgDDTdCbBpNjoj6pRtYDExBioFWQWtvGhLTSfpDkL3-5DdaYRR-PAaK-9YVIHYU4aETUCmqMyMDWTU51DfCcESksvt6SCe9mCJ8DUlJz6BzGYbQkPxhPkRBrBNRQb9y1B7PNL-Q5VXkEej1PXWkaQ_IxYLEJqHGP471ZTmTNjL56pUc4_QZ/s320/IMG_5821.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the apartment - Canongate Kirkyard (Church) with Calton hill in the background!</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
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<br />I know our Scotland trip will be limited to Edinburgh! But that never curbed my enthusiasm to discover a new place! The sun doesn't set here till 10 PM and with all this beauty around me its hard to contain my excitement to get out and explore in the morning!Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-71045657899093330892022-07-15T14:18:00.018-04:002022-07-18T12:56:03.853-04:00The Harry Potter version of London! And some!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bFVrf-Ot2b4eufIataSnwPcalFvFyxIFR_1tPP2ldDnWdQlZVsVCYU3EZYJ0-EZ_Jrk5d82zqWHizwswOQXTR5P1fdUzFjriFBcnB1R7ovuxmUKO6Hpwv2ctiOtxzIzqDF-zwXlhdX2eCFaE3SLnUzxUSyr6QbX4x1O2MNyhv8KorBMyxhdZoxb1/s1022/62d42690-c210-4899-a95b-22ba78fe8c1d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="847" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bFVrf-Ot2b4eufIataSnwPcalFvFyxIFR_1tPP2ldDnWdQlZVsVCYU3EZYJ0-EZ_Jrk5d82zqWHizwswOQXTR5P1fdUzFjriFBcnB1R7ovuxmUKO6Hpwv2ctiOtxzIzqDF-zwXlhdX2eCFaE3SLnUzxUSyr6QbX4x1O2MNyhv8KorBMyxhdZoxb1/s320/62d42690-c210-4899-a95b-22ba78fe8c1d.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Given the highlight of our trip was this little minx's birthday and her Harry Potter fantasies, we found ourselves on a Harry Potter walking tour of London to catch the sites and get our fill of the Potter madness! I wont be able to give you a lot of the details being I was just a spectator tagging along for the ride! I will leave you with lots of pictures and some trivia here and there!</p><p>First stop: Kings cross station! </p><p>Kings cross station has an underground station and a national rail station with trains going all over UK. Additionally across the street is the St Pancras Station that is the International station, with trains that connect to rest of Europe! The movie actually features the St Pancras station. You can tell why. Looks so much better for sure!</p>
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<td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R9keD8ySaUGM026N5SbZVuBoGG8Cfs_3mZrp-KtTRcd1v4lHheM3Vjqn9UllioZLKDTYRVHXLDzZn141_iZQkAYXsnYpr9YE_q4AAqwmoSuDsE5aFGDwWx0SDckP7PkNm-Dy75yNM6pr4KQ6YJ7ICqsbeVwyabVA6mOFpkteHbBFq22aetm1_M2s/s976/IMG_5597.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="976" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R9keD8ySaUGM026N5SbZVuBoGG8Cfs_3mZrp-KtTRcd1v4lHheM3Vjqn9UllioZLKDTYRVHXLDzZn141_iZQkAYXsnYpr9YE_q4AAqwmoSuDsE5aFGDwWx0SDckP7PkNm-Dy75yNM6pr4KQ6YJ7ICqsbeVwyabVA6mOFpkteHbBFq22aetm1_M2s/w320-h240/IMG_5597.jpg" title="Kings Cross Station" width="320" /></a></div></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Pancras International</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kings cross station (just across the st)</td></tr>
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<br /><p>Another detail. Kings cross station has no wall between platform 9 and 10. The 9 3/4 you see there is outside a shop near platform 9 and 10. Apparently JK Rowling had her stations mixed up when she wrote. She was thinking Euston Rd and wrote Kings cross! However they made do, Kings cross does have a wall near platform 4 and 5 (see below) where a lot of the shooting was done!</p>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kings cross platforms - this is what 9, 10 looked like as well</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall near Platform 5 (better view below)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Goodwin Court<br /></td><td style="text-align: center;">I dont think its related to HP, but might as well be!<br /></td></tr>
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<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFD1GwqYWDTgusoRf5LAS08AYrbNjd7DRgEzmApgVVSksMHwiE7X6i2HKpRXiXFDLSRZFtt1psTBlFHxgokZnI74lk4ttgFcrxt95sYZsgEV_YTZ7NYel6MlUvdAvtfLiMAzcH_YdZSuJf0MM_tdmLPs-fU_Sf2zuzustiq4jgJXG2lh_ThQohIjG/s732/IMG_5609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="549" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFD1GwqYWDTgusoRf5LAS08AYrbNjd7DRgEzmApgVVSksMHwiE7X6i2HKpRXiXFDLSRZFtt1psTBlFHxgokZnI74lk4ttgFcrxt95sYZsgEV_YTZ7NYel6MlUvdAvtfLiMAzcH_YdZSuJf0MM_tdmLPs-fU_Sf2zuzustiq4jgJXG2lh_ThQohIjG/s320/IMG_5609.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Cecil Court<br /></td><td style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Diagon Alley (as seen in Harry Potter and Half Blood prince), at Newport St<br /></td></tr>
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<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74cbeaU0hod-ailNhBM1V4lALyF04fD8SBenhg0Xll6rneV_b_Vlg7yv5T1iat3laM_-06wsu0Qi093ikjbVOYNqtrHPlnNOOO3pYRXahhuOGnTyFBneHrXgxud1VQLPXHxaet4l2_gbKVw8BGPOMFXVgRpVPNrhNneGfQjGdfmU_uihWrAa9i5de/s4032/IMG_5608.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74cbeaU0hod-ailNhBM1V4lALyF04fD8SBenhg0Xll6rneV_b_Vlg7yv5T1iat3laM_-06wsu0Qi093ikjbVOYNqtrHPlnNOOO3pYRXahhuOGnTyFBneHrXgxud1VQLPXHxaet4l2_gbKVw8BGPOMFXVgRpVPNrhNneGfQjGdfmU_uihWrAa9i5de/s320/IMG_5608.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is one of the brat! In her new trendy leather Zara bikers jacket!<br />Outside a blue door on Diagon alley with a broom propped in front of it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Our next stop, the Palace Theater which screens the Harry Potter and the cursed child play! We missed that here in the US. Need to go looking for that in the USA!</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> The Palace Theater <br /></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"> That rare picture of the 4 of us in one frame! <br /></td>
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<div><br /></div><div>As I upload this picture, my conversations with Tootsie earlier this week plays back! She says “2 people read your blog, you and me! And you go to all this effort to find us blog names and keep our privacy! I say post a picture of me on your blog! About time!” I figured she was right! And she had me at "I read your blog!" I would do anything for my reader in singular! 😜 Also if you think about it that’s less people on my blog than on my Facebook! So if I can post there, I most certainly can post it in this blog with its +1 readership count !! (Although I swing back and forth on the wisdom of posting pictures on Facebook! But hey who am I kidding! Privacy is a thing of the past in this new world!) In any case, enjoy the indulgence!<br /><p>Our next stop on the tour Leicester square with its theaters and sculptures of different characters! As is the case sometimes, I forgot to take pictures! I certainly am not a good travel blogger or tip provider! And it was too crowded anyway! Our favorites were Mary Poppins, the guy from Mary poppins, Mr Bean, and Paddington! They were promoting Thor so we couldn’t get close to Harry Potter! The pity! We did get a good sighting of Wonder Woman and Batman!</p></div>
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A different side of palace theater with the London traffic as we walked away! That big red bus!</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">
Leicester Square with the star studded banners!</td></tr>
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Leicester Square<span> </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">
Wonder Woman</td></tr>
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The flying birds of Leicester Square<span> </span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">
Just because!</td></tr>
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Our next stop on the tour was Trafalgar square. There were no protests on this day that I could see! I have heard that this is the hot bed of rallies and protests! Tourists were milling around taking in all the splendor and appeal of the square!</div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
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<tr><td>Trafalgar Square with the giant ice cream that was fascinating <br /></td>
<td>National Gallery on the north across the street from Trafalgar square</td></tr>
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<td>The lion was certainly fascinating! Kind of reminiscent of the lion in the Indian emblem! <br /></td></tr>
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<br />On the other side of Trafalgar square is the South African Embassy! To the potter heads this was the inspiration for the outside of Gringott's bank! Although the insides was the Australian Embassy and not this!<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EBmrvymDkvfVwVAdECsUbvSt_8WmycwiSUPUl3Qy9nDoNJcywR-AE4tWtLArEW2NeTdSV-JVcCk7FE9XaJ0VVSTBJiawZVlShLYQLE2TDVgyLnxaQo-nYkeBisCg_y3GTFEkAZbSTavztFCe4Kut9bNbHPFr_dfhwTyYxtpAOTOJRJ_O9KCSb8Tj/s332/IMG_5640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="332" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EBmrvymDkvfVwVAdECsUbvSt_8WmycwiSUPUl3Qy9nDoNJcywR-AE4tWtLArEW2NeTdSV-JVcCk7FE9XaJ0VVSTBJiawZVlShLYQLE2TDVgyLnxaQo-nYkeBisCg_y3GTFEkAZbSTavztFCe4Kut9bNbHPFr_dfhwTyYxtpAOTOJRJ_O9KCSb8Tj/s320/IMG_5640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div> The great Scotland yard! In Harry Potter I believe this was the ministry of defense! I believe there was a red telephone booth that is not present on this street that was the entrance to the ministry in the movie! But after watching so many UK based movies and shows this was more about the great scotland yard and at least in my head I had stopped paying attention to the Harry Potter references! Sorry HP fans but here is where I mentally leave you! But I believe they break into the ministry in the Deathly Hallows movie! </div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
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St James Palace! We missed the change of guard by a few minutes! Considering we altogether missed Buckingham palace in our list, this was a distant second!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKx0ybzQmBOsPWIFparxqRizktCTvZSHj4xbipZXJe7Adtdn7KoQds1pzPZ23S11ebliXwBfqKYGzTweV2cZQUR5_9TQ4SkZYDlRRzMMKFFLheFR5SmyeMTWC43ssYUIQQama1AjYjy0AvimjyauukSwEg4XndVpVL-s-RX6Z9gCq9cpfzoIeU4ya/s821/IMG_5655.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="821" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKx0ybzQmBOsPWIFparxqRizktCTvZSHj4xbipZXJe7Adtdn7KoQds1pzPZ23S11ebliXwBfqKYGzTweV2cZQUR5_9TQ4SkZYDlRRzMMKFFLheFR5SmyeMTWC43ssYUIQQama1AjYjy0AvimjyauukSwEg4XndVpVL-s-RX6Z9gCq9cpfzoIeU4ya/s320/IMG_5655.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Onwards on to the famous London Eye! We were very tempted but boy does it move slow! The Thames boat rides are also very tempting, but long lines to get on! They take you from here to Tower of London so would have been a wonderful sight seeing off the water!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVANBySTVT_nZy6jMx_zajKRZUmFLWj8-qVFY0Hs43Bzw7gYY81t5m3-3HJ-OOCJKDR9mmT7BzWjkL-9sJ4mDiC_a2IG22ZhBSlqDk-eeh7BrEUQNOjW2yM92VKpnwVcMYPu6BRroi_f06MwXiFa6zM5X9zpG9n4zBM5aEXlJitJ6kcnUrAajWFW9a/s976/IMG_2063_Original.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="976" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVANBySTVT_nZy6jMx_zajKRZUmFLWj8-qVFY0Hs43Bzw7gYY81t5m3-3HJ-OOCJKDR9mmT7BzWjkL-9sJ4mDiC_a2IG22ZhBSlqDk-eeh7BrEUQNOjW2yM92VKpnwVcMYPu6BRroi_f06MwXiFa6zM5X9zpG9n4zBM5aEXlJitJ6kcnUrAajWFW9a/s320/IMG_2063_Original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Walk further along the river thames and you see the wonderful Big Ben. Turn and walk alongside het tube station and you view the amazing architecture of Westminster Abbey
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As you can tell, the weather was absolutely fantastic. Warm and sunny but not scalding hot like here! It was just perfect and the British rain that we were prepared for eluded us nicely! Couldnt have asked for better. By this time the kids were done, so we abandoned the HP tour got a nice subway lunch! I love the american fast food restaurants everywhere else in the world! While Subway in London was just the same, Mc D had so many different options including Vegetarian options! I always love exploring these fast food chains outside the US. I wouldnt be caught at a Mc D within! The best by far is of course in India.<div><br /></div><div>We skedaddled out of there taking the tube! The Westminster underground station (which unfortunately I didn't take pictures of) is another HP location. I believe the Lambeth bridge and </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a lovely pic from https://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/place/284476-westminster-underground-station</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotmr6KpQfXFMVfF11IRu-Bs5G3R8NRnDSDaLF5-4H3Z9BxIIYaBQqrd1daCw84YFX9QVPuvHId5BG9EttDRPYGxy6EwPu7uDh8dfnzaaTL22Z0XYCMxiepJVk5qF3olNnhHI_Ji1c6f-HKKDX-ZIhMZCFWjz4A6ffDYykAx7hYbWv9u_Lvp_tU02H/s640/westminster-underground-station_-transport-for-london_bfc5b5c40ff528ba431b28d25eb9021d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotmr6KpQfXFMVfF11IRu-Bs5G3R8NRnDSDaLF5-4H3Z9BxIIYaBQqrd1daCw84YFX9QVPuvHId5BG9EttDRPYGxy6EwPu7uDh8dfnzaaTL22Z0XYCMxiepJVk5qF3olNnhHI_Ji1c6f-HKKDX-ZIhMZCFWjz4A6ffDYykAx7hYbWv9u_Lvp_tU02H/s320/westminster-underground-station_-transport-for-london_bfc5b5c40ff528ba431b28d25eb9021d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>And another from https://www.sceen-it.com/sceen/1546/Harry-Potter-and-the-Order-of-the-Phoenix/Westminster-Tube-Station of the scene where Harry Potter and Arthur Weasley take the tube!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKIvPfumyw1F0KHKux5YHYjJmmDURMqM1EIv7cdCaQsWP8i8pE-i7-r33Fy8yTuscNZVyua5vIuRGu89ui_tM2uGjM1t1nF9jrNyuXjJm6xdaaLAQDpdtIpQy6W5O8kZ5wdC59j2PfYPZCEhYI5XaK0fZ8bpusHyD5D7pZEOZeISmgSBKJr7iSPpi/s600/675_01_HarryPotter_WestminsterStation_01%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="600" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKIvPfumyw1F0KHKux5YHYjJmmDURMqM1EIv7cdCaQsWP8i8pE-i7-r33Fy8yTuscNZVyua5vIuRGu89ui_tM2uGjM1t1nF9jrNyuXjJm6xdaaLAQDpdtIpQy6W5O8kZ5wdC59j2PfYPZCEhYI5XaK0fZ8bpusHyD5D7pZEOZeISmgSBKJr7iSPpi/s320/675_01_HarryPotter_WestminsterStation_01%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As we headed back to the hotel, M was beginning to feel the fatigue and was complaining about a stuffy nose and sore throat. So I walked across the street to a Boots to get a covid test and some medication. As the lady at the counter patiently translated for me what a Paracetamol with Caffeine can do! While I asked her but what's the equivalent of NyQuil? (Being the American, I expect the world to know about all our medication!) But as I kept talking to the Pharmacist and looked at the Vitamin C chewies, I had a wage of nostalgia hit me! The Calpol, Crocin and the Succee (Vit C) from my childhood memories were remembered fondly! <div><br /></div><div>The rest as they say is history! I was so sure of this not being Covid! But I forget the new world we live in! M tested and tested positive! I looked at the 2 lines in disbelief! Hell no! This certainly was not the vacation I planned! But we have come far in the covid journey! There is no quarantine requirement, or travel restriction anymore! We were all vaccinated and boostered, so were likely to have mild flu like symptoms! And hey what's life if you don't have a few of these setbacks! Thank God for all our blessings!</div><div><br /></div><div>I still wasn't ready to wind down yet! And the next day we would leave to Scotland! So I decided to make the most of my evening and equipped with my Oyster card took off to explore Tower of London! M donned a mask, claimed a bed and took a nap! The kids, took to their devices each claiming the other bed and couch / sofa bed in the room - Our version of quarantine!</div><div><br /></div><div>I took the tube to Monument, thinking I needed to go to London bridge! See the Monument there that is a reminder of the great fire of 1666. The stone column I have heard is worth a climb (up its 311 steps) to take in some sweeping views of the city! But I was a woman with a mission, so off I went to London bridge! </div><div><br /></div>
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<br /><div><br /></div><div>Huh? That's the London bridge? Remember the london bridge fell down? Not sure if it was the reference to the timber bridge that was replaced by an ineffective Stone arch bridge in 1176 that was then replaced by a series of other London bridges! Fear ye not, do a 360. turn and there she is inn all her glory the Neo Gothic Tower bridge!</div><div><br /></div>
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<td style="text-align: center;"> The tower bridge</td><td><div style="text-align: center;">The Tower castle</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> </td>
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<td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><br /><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;">The walk from London bridge to the tower bridge! A lovely walk lined with food stalls!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> </td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">The London city line as viewed from the other side of Thames!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> </td>
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<td style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the Tower castle which houses the crown jewels! Most importantly the Kohinoor </td>
<td style="text-align: center;"> The side profile of the castle! The fortress of London!<br /> </td>
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<br /><div><br /></div><div>That my friends is my long winded tale of our London expedition! I had every intention of going to the Buckingham palace and the Pall Mall the next morning and keeping my appointment with the Queen! (Poor Joke I know)! But I had to spend the morning canceling our rental car, and accomodations around Scotland! It was time to face reality and re-configure our trip to stay put in Edinburgh! Not to mention my Bank's alerting system just went crazy with all my change of plans! In the next 36 hrs my credit card would get locked 4 times and it would take me a few chats and calls to the Bank to set things right, not to mention cancelations, re-bookings as a result! Whoever said going with the flow was fun! But I guess I ought to be thankful to my bank for looking out for me!</div>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-32245894317685972232022-07-13T14:20:00.001-04:002022-07-13T14:20:08.907-04:00The 40s are here and I love it!I am happy I am in my 40's. When I was in my 20's I looked at the 40 yr olds around me with a little bit of pity! I felt they had passed their prime and were so old! I now look at the 40 yr olds around me with understanding, and recognition. They are all in the same boat as I am. Most have teenage kids that think they are too old and ancient :) Most have suddenly found time! Rediscovered friendships, are snucking out for the night without guilt or a second look! Well I don't know about most, but I am! And I am loving it!<div><br /></div><div>With time I have also found a passion in life! Hiking! I have found like minded friends that share my likes and beliefs! I have learnt not to be pressured by the demands of society! Society does not need to deem me like-able or a good host or cook or even a good parent! I am who I am and who I will be! Too late to change that!<br /><div><br /></div><div>I have rediscovered my joy for reading, and time to actually do it! I love my daily workout and am finally in a place where I am feeling good about my body! And what's more I actually like my family and my kids most of the time! Oh well that is a bit of a stretch :P And today is a good day! Ask me on a bad day what you think and you will get the less than rosy version of this! But maybe the 40s are the new deal! I have been thinking about this a lot (can you tell I have time on my hands?) Here is why the 40s are the best</div><div><br /></div><div><b>You have been accepted!</b></div><div>Your family has given up on you/ accepted you with your flaws! Lets face it, you are too old to change now! Resigned as they maybe (your dad doesn't even bat an eye when he finds out you are not a vegetarian any more!)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The children are grown!</b></div><div>Your kids are not clinging to you anymore, but haven't yet drifted far apart that you are lonely and bored! You look at others younger to you with the "been there done yet" attitude! But know enough to not get sucked into giving parenting advice! You know now that parenting is no fun ride and there is just no science to it! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Go with the flow is the mantra!</b></div><div>You have faced enough of life, not to be fazed by small setbacks! And you have learnt to go with the flow as much as you can (at least for most of the time)! You know things change, and you know shit happens! But you also know that all's well that ends well!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Expectations are on the decline!</b></div><div>You have learnt to lower your expectations of people and situations. You know you can't please everyone or even be liked by everyone and you are ok with that! And you know it works the same in reverse! So be it! </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Last time I checked this is no reality TV or live competition!</b></div><div>In the same theme as above, you no longer feel the need to please, to step up or bend over backwards! Its no competition, I am fine coming in second or even the last on some things! I am who I am and that pleases me to no end!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Appreciate Life!</b></div><div>You have learnt to appreciate life's little blessings, You know not to take things for granted and to enjoy every blessing and advantage you have. Menopause hasn't found you yet, your joints are still functioning (for the most part) and you have the enthusiasm for life! What more can you ask for?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>You are comfortable in your skin! </b></div><div>You know it is what it is and you have learnt to accept it! If it's hot, you will wear an ugly hat! If its cold, you will grab the first drab jacket you see! You will rock the Dr Scholls shoes that you like! You have learnt practical is a lot more fun than regret :)</div><div><br /></div><div>So I think its that adjustment and hard found understanding of the reality that is to blame, but it is a great time of my life for sure! P.S. Full disclosure: The title is a bit of mis-representation. The 40s have been here for a bit now, but I have realised the full potential more recently! As we went off to Vegas to celebrate a friends 40th birthday earlier this summer, it hit me that I really love my life (anti-jinx) and need to thank God for blessings. So a short interruption of my travel diaries to finally complete this monologue that has been brewing in my head for months! I leave you here with a picture of the North Georgia mountains that I enjoy hiking! Lots of anti-jinx applied here!</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlFL5EUXiqekwY1vjoRlirkjs3LDGsCkgokYIXROpnNyY1K8SFxB0YoyQefcDidiYSwqezGH9yIU1SdLnaAELZbvZLC8ugf2MKDSK-MNlpsUMk8AVImcXUDq09QjmW4WI5jpluJlul50SEXiQ5-fPUsPUl2xHckFbNlnQIJm5itb1CmACgCPuDsjQ/s2016/0f80a65d-a71e-4c0b-8480-659fef00383e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="2016" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlFL5EUXiqekwY1vjoRlirkjs3LDGsCkgokYIXROpnNyY1K8SFxB0YoyQefcDidiYSwqezGH9yIU1SdLnaAELZbvZLC8ugf2MKDSK-MNlpsUMk8AVImcXUDq09QjmW4WI5jpluJlul50SEXiQ5-fPUsPUl2xHckFbNlnQIJm5itb1CmACgCPuDsjQ/s320/0f80a65d-a71e-4c0b-8480-659fef00383e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-76579914466512711492022-07-10T18:10:00.088-04:002022-07-13T09:14:07.611-04:00Oxford you say!<p> Day 2: After a fitful nights sleep we wake up to a 10 am on the clock! Oops! We didn’t travel across the ocean to sleep in? Or did we? After all it’s vacation time! Today we take ourselves to Paddington station and then to Kings Cross to make our way to Oxford! I mention Paddington because today was also the day I found Paddington was a really good movie. In a couple of days as we laid low in Edinburgh Tootsie and I would watch a double feature of Paddington 1 and 2. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiNWYhox2N4bwwgc8WLW2jb5PBCfGbx2TLPKHAyj2udbbBP0pez5k4HSMNtIT2W1eN1svFrMDiXZOFMxQv7-1_Ogg24tOpXeU5NKQvhHxHMNYMN2T1OHzTMjrF367GXDsPMHQXcLrU1bi6wATegQTB7QMvr8o75RwBY9DNXABcFxjXy-VCclI3Z5q/s1936/EF605A49-176F-43D4-8A4F-B40DEFFD17E6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiNWYhox2N4bwwgc8WLW2jb5PBCfGbx2TLPKHAyj2udbbBP0pez5k4HSMNtIT2W1eN1svFrMDiXZOFMxQv7-1_Ogg24tOpXeU5NKQvhHxHMNYMN2T1OHzTMjrF367GXDsPMHQXcLrU1bi6wATegQTB7QMvr8o75RwBY9DNXABcFxjXy-VCclI3Z5q/s320/EF605A49-176F-43D4-8A4F-B40DEFFD17E6.jpeg" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More on that later. For now onwards to the majestic Kings Cross station and Oxford! Kings Cross Station looks majestic and apparently is a splitting image of Calcutta's Howrah Station per M. Its also a really old station built in 1852. The pictures here are from the platforms where the long distance trains take off. More on Kings Cross in the next post as we explore Harry Potter locations. Another claim to fame for Kings Cross.</div><br />
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Travel tip: If you are doing this book ahead. Usually for the long distance trains there are great deals online if you book ahead. We got a reasonable deal when we got to the station (Don’t use the Kiosks, the agents are much better equipped to find you the best deal). The other problem with not booking ahead is you don't get assigned seats and are then going to be going from coach to coach to find seating. But Oxford is not a long ride about 1 hr, so no harm done! And off we go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was with a lot of excitement we got to Oxford. M and I the geeks that we are were just excited about going to a stellar university! Tootsie was excited to see Harry Potter locations! Cheeky was just along for the ride! Tip for Oxford: Book yourself on a tour depending on what you want to see. I was so cocky about my ability to navigate on my own which we did reasonably well, however we missed some of the key stops - Christ Church was one I really wanted to go into, but we couldn’t as they were sold out! M was beginning to feel the worse for wear already and we should have been able to tell by his general lack of energy which is not usual! But my excitement at being at such a monumental place clouded everything! Trinity college was closed to public, but we took a peek at Ramanujam’s alma mater and that gave us goose bumps!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are some other notable sightings at Oxford</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <b>Bodelian library</b> home of a lot of Harry Potter scenes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VPE3Q30MT4kPuV_hwSsJ_E4RPtCDWWXo" height="320" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VPE3Q30MT4kPuV_hwSsJ_E4RPtCDWWXo" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: auto;" width="240" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtj83_iTq5H6Yz0p71WtpjgmgSEALnEMOKRb1Ydc1bWBZFf0TXawsbzU5BfecrkcDc7arTzMfuBpgLaFb8QSt4Ri8cbMBTk9EidmOL7qdIyHG6l__G88RFT1Gq1RDsHdREsatMIyLMuXOB1LVSuiTdWG5pdRytqqXJ3aBTCmY1wUPKr7KgrvFdZlL/s10446/7CE8D8E6-F859-4DAB-B423-1AE288F61A20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3786" data-original-width="10446" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtj83_iTq5H6Yz0p71WtpjgmgSEALnEMOKRb1Ydc1bWBZFf0TXawsbzU5BfecrkcDc7arTzMfuBpgLaFb8QSt4Ri8cbMBTk9EidmOL7qdIyHG6l__G88RFT1Gq1RDsHdREsatMIyLMuXOB1LVSuiTdWG5pdRytqqXJ3aBTCmY1wUPKr7KgrvFdZlL/w571-h207/7CE8D8E6-F859-4DAB-B423-1AE288F61A20.jpeg" width="571" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><b>The Radcliffe Camera</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpB4-KiOY489egmw2F82MS_BVhdIY6uKAKvzQjVBlF8V7hfPyAgsbr29Jv8QGF8ssaMVWanMXO7A10fFz3_x20Oo-NfpV517Rw26CxdsJqw1Yid8uzG2JpvC0vUt9CIWvdQ3ODqOfu9lcJvkJO61INW0L0qLwng_gFVuSkoxaFuUHyVGjRqxNt8ce/s2048/EA9C0945-6257-429D-9BD6-3016BA1C4272.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpB4-KiOY489egmw2F82MS_BVhdIY6uKAKvzQjVBlF8V7hfPyAgsbr29Jv8QGF8ssaMVWanMXO7A10fFz3_x20Oo-NfpV517Rw26CxdsJqw1Yid8uzG2JpvC0vUt9CIWvdQ3ODqOfu9lcJvkJO61INW0L0qLwng_gFVuSkoxaFuUHyVGjRqxNt8ce/s320/EA9C0945-6257-429D-9BD6-3016BA1C4272.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>University Church of St Mary the Virgin</b> (across from the Radcliffe camera)</div>
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<table><tbody><tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7O3HPfq8cMTq7Yml9aLHEfafi6rsuG8QmujtWYH3BtE735ORX0xh8u6gF8uOjCMZ2_02wnTuIrnXUpi-R_FQFFpupZePLeOKeX31f7QygnnHpqmJbzeDHcVesn-ribakq0iH9FPnmzOvzZ9pl7eou2vpqqVCT8hxR1xpYvWMaVHfUSQi4H0oGxUE/s2048/82125DF1-0CED-4245-8D0A-44E27DB29D8D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7O3HPfq8cMTq7Yml9aLHEfafi6rsuG8QmujtWYH3BtE735ORX0xh8u6gF8uOjCMZ2_02wnTuIrnXUpi-R_FQFFpupZePLeOKeX31f7QygnnHpqmJbzeDHcVesn-ribakq0iH9FPnmzOvzZ9pl7eou2vpqqVCT8hxR1xpYvWMaVHfUSQi4H0oGxUE/s320/82125DF1-0CED-4245-8D0A-44E27DB29D8D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE7VLNL5cMVMdsxGXR5UV0UK3i9YCBps39BWP1mkWkw0nSPeHb--mCHdkDbz8kEMqwAZ5YoHbxlMQ1bKDZNUowyznnGyqAReds9QXwlUNpMbibClxcRjVsfIBWOII22kcARW-GzvX5yeOABL9Pl3ZUOlggSE3DESdXDvUpXYkYhx3N-p7BAgBigns/s2048/CEB5A8E3-8743-432D-982B-FDF2BC9A5B75.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE7VLNL5cMVMdsxGXR5UV0UK3i9YCBps39BWP1mkWkw0nSPeHb--mCHdkDbz8kEMqwAZ5YoHbxlMQ1bKDZNUowyznnGyqAReds9QXwlUNpMbibClxcRjVsfIBWOII22kcARW-GzvX5yeOABL9Pl3ZUOlggSE3DESdXDvUpXYkYhx3N-p7BAgBigns/s320/CEB5A8E3-8743-432D-982B-FDF2BC9A5B75.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Museum Of science</b> ( I think! After a few days all buildings blend into one. This one was near Radcliffe camera)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GKZV67b50QfFB-e3F57wsyGnwGV0M-KDZmEytrvcD6AcpPIjJIOZApHwZMbFoGDdaJV65ntEgSfxGX5XDMe38fejlCt35stkbvoq90ga4j0GdwpJNo5PTPMXqFTfqvquv8sVETir8tIfVnbtD5x-KTbaLk6bhkxzgLflkrTEMJ9BKtKf3pA1jCyt/s2048/BBEFE449-C1E8-4AC1-9719-6FE0F58BF060.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GKZV67b50QfFB-e3F57wsyGnwGV0M-KDZmEytrvcD6AcpPIjJIOZApHwZMbFoGDdaJV65ntEgSfxGX5XDMe38fejlCt35stkbvoq90ga4j0GdwpJNo5PTPMXqFTfqvquv8sVETir8tIfVnbtD5x-KTbaLk6bhkxzgLflkrTEMJ9BKtKf3pA1jCyt/s320/BBEFE449-C1E8-4AC1-9719-6FE0F58BF060.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Bridge of Sighs</b> (Another HP location)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc5EGQkyljyr31MSlPCP8bp8o0xYQHL05Jw5_Mla-yma8G4Rdav-2BC4A1SvWSxX2El3vZ_V7qbbjUzkmicAHgTinMNihMr1EQ85H-O4Xp10Uz0xHTA2FaRdQS6zBcvSbgal11MBVRqV9KsjQKX7udTsj3_XCEfhjjsGX5xnVoJQbl9pAKu6Rnw_q/s2048/09E6C074-3F73-4F0E-8DAF-4F40D8A1938C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc5EGQkyljyr31MSlPCP8bp8o0xYQHL05Jw5_Mla-yma8G4Rdav-2BC4A1SvWSxX2El3vZ_V7qbbjUzkmicAHgTinMNihMr1EQ85H-O4Xp10Uz0xHTA2FaRdQS6zBcvSbgal11MBVRqV9KsjQKX7udTsj3_XCEfhjjsGX5xnVoJQbl9pAKu6Rnw_q/s320/09E6C074-3F73-4F0E-8DAF-4F40D8A1938C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Christ Church buildings and gardens</b> (See the building in the back with the spikes? That’s the Hogwarts great dining hall). Also did you know Albert Einstein taught at Christ Church in 1930's and was the first Jewish- German academic at Oxford?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik57BiLWqiDTSiwLr5HIIui8osE3dKAUOXEt_9rFMesE7Oh7xgrY2uuFZqtCOq_EJ10A2xnUHRkwvu18wjISbB5FJDEXN54lwdawggHPy9aE0dcengD9nhCjqmNB09ytNiFGaQM0qHVSak4hEXqDHZBTUicpGlgVzCrPHAi1ZHcNoi3_akUwRZ5Kv0/s2048/3CF011D8-82F8-431C-8F07-90A0B51E4D78.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik57BiLWqiDTSiwLr5HIIui8osE3dKAUOXEt_9rFMesE7Oh7xgrY2uuFZqtCOq_EJ10A2xnUHRkwvu18wjISbB5FJDEXN54lwdawggHPy9aE0dcengD9nhCjqmNB09ytNiFGaQM0qHVSak4hEXqDHZBTUicpGlgVzCrPHAi1ZHcNoi3_akUwRZ5Kv0/s320/3CF011D8-82F8-431C-8F07-90A0B51E4D78.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another Oxford Alumni is JRR Tolkein of Lord of the Rings fame (Exeter college which we didn't visit). Oxford does have a lot of stores selling the paraphilia with pride - Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. And my kids were like a moth drawn to the stores. Here was Cheeky's attempt at vanishing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZQTTkjBg-ulWJpdZNppROCYoHgC1AjnMVscSnZU-mdhq4GcG3sgwyGFs0Um-9-Okx9-TkSp5S66qtqDjUF1y5MTylP8TuSXZ9p0LxrdfY5BD9TBDQnAeqUNZGYGnCmShGGV1YYK-yzLZvWJZHFC6ARt0jBkluYfnSXh420j4E5OWDIboFqxgivTg/s3233/IMG_5579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2437" data-original-width="3233" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZQTTkjBg-ulWJpdZNppROCYoHgC1AjnMVscSnZU-mdhq4GcG3sgwyGFs0Um-9-Okx9-TkSp5S66qtqDjUF1y5MTylP8TuSXZ9p0LxrdfY5BD9TBDQnAeqUNZGYGnCmShGGV1YYK-yzLZvWJZHFC6ARt0jBkluYfnSXh420j4E5OWDIboFqxgivTg/s320/IMG_5579.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oxford also has its very own castle most of which is in its ruins! This was towards the end of the day and we were ready to get a snack after all teh walking. You will see the mound at the far end of the second picture. The Castle is behind it and played a vital role in the Anglo-Saxon war apparently.</div>
<table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UViKvrunsfEyG7YI_CJir96YyQI8Ril5jrXHdG58XgFpxmGl_eMecPRMEAqVKwfm4DNikv6-ErEOumfyA_ZRN5WPjpibpk1xXeTFq7YawozTeK1tOlLa0XzF9yL-CKpZk3l6oQGWfbif_s5gX69F1jD0FOdEY06Sx625T0Fdg7dOOf9LqWi3ohP1/s2048/CA88ECA2-E74F-416F-9129-8A3F0FDD9598.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UViKvrunsfEyG7YI_CJir96YyQI8Ril5jrXHdG58XgFpxmGl_eMecPRMEAqVKwfm4DNikv6-ErEOumfyA_ZRN5WPjpibpk1xXeTFq7YawozTeK1tOlLa0XzF9yL-CKpZk3l6oQGWfbif_s5gX69F1jD0FOdEY06Sx625T0Fdg7dOOf9LqWi3ohP1/s320/CA88ECA2-E74F-416F-9129-8A3F0FDD9598.jpeg" width="320" /></a>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsPCNSxojCc6IPpZWHFMS6uJQmsGBLEtLUOHlDXD9jMfWqSsdKPKCYij1rcWVkl_VjXSV9CbZanGigK5PxiEfZuDuYFBbC4ijA9-O815GdzpstLGEp1BE8kPd5AlB4QSwe-x4KogcGj415rqMMQhV-1PLU9Inp5hfOrYQmf-iAG7BUHonGnfHylPk/s3490/IMG_5400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="3490" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsPCNSxojCc6IPpZWHFMS6uJQmsGBLEtLUOHlDXD9jMfWqSsdKPKCYij1rcWVkl_VjXSV9CbZanGigK5PxiEfZuDuYFBbC4ijA9-O815GdzpstLGEp1BE8kPd5AlB4QSwe-x4KogcGj415rqMMQhV-1PLU9Inp5hfOrYQmf-iAG7BUHonGnfHylPk/w320-h220/IMG_5400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Overall Oxford was quaint and had so much history breathing through it. It was a lot to take in! Although we were exposed to some rude behavior that I have often heard of. M has recently lost a lot of weight and was having a hard time keeping his pants on (quite literally) so wanted to duck into a store and buy a belt! We stepped into a store and M picked up a belt and took it up to the counter. He wanted another belt hole added to the belt and asked the guy if he would do it! The response was "Who are you asking? Are you asking me? Does it look like I add holes to the belt! It should be obvious!". We were shocked at his behavior, handed him the belt and left the store! Talk about customer service! But all's well that ends well. We found a little mall, M got his belt and Tootsie and I found her a really cute Biker faux leather jacket at Zara for a steal! I was so jealous that later in Edinburgh I went to look for and buy the very same jacket (in a different color.. mom of a teenager now!) at Marks and Spencer for almost twice the price! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some more pictures from Oxford! As always I kept stopping to click pictures much to the irritation of my kids! But I have now captured the memories in my mind and in my photo library for me to go back look and relive!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY9RmaqHfBfHP-iclhamTYgAwkIv5UySQnKHYe9GZv8l9TkYyO9dwIgTj6P0XyJybA_C5k_mIhX25enQrhGDN4dblClMhsPDtXJZu9W-4Byg3ZxA-UDIeGsN94IL91vEydUmOYtSJ2X0AjEQNwLxbZ0RwfCMhLmoPWW2gS0At44LNCbG4GO7edf_8/s2048/C46F1E4A-2223-4ABA-975C-075BAC366A06.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY9RmaqHfBfHP-iclhamTYgAwkIv5UySQnKHYe9GZv8l9TkYyO9dwIgTj6P0XyJybA_C5k_mIhX25enQrhGDN4dblClMhsPDtXJZu9W-4Byg3ZxA-UDIeGsN94IL91vEydUmOYtSJ2X0AjEQNwLxbZ0RwfCMhLmoPWW2gS0At44LNCbG4GO7edf_8/s320/C46F1E4A-2223-4ABA-975C-075BAC366A06.jpeg" width="320" /></a> </div></td>
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<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the end of the day, we proved that you can take the South Indian out of India by you can never take the South Indian out of us! We went to Dosa an Indian restaurant that made great promises but fell way short! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As we returned home that night we were happy and a little exhausted! But pleased for the day we had had with no arguments, happy kids and general sunny dispositions! Little did we know trouble was brewing in the form of a pesky little virus called COVID!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got off at Paddington and stumbled upon this surprise canal side! It’s beautiful with some floating bars and restaurants on the canal! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l0dGhQGIksbMU22UqnnpGDx3XtZT7EK42ViPAtnBBWHDPZuv0bXX2MMEcfMsbiycdAKSUbV74wBWk8xfExXOvwwbZ8ejQAdgsF_FG-fI1g4Va3kK_P5l8Y5bG4x1KDQa66B1mk5Ra8wSXrh2oQd1vzgKvI_l1K_BcsRaGTS7kPJOQVxovheIN9o-/s2048/A548C6F4-D58C-4B23-9A23-9A1541981114.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l0dGhQGIksbMU22UqnnpGDx3XtZT7EK42ViPAtnBBWHDPZuv0bXX2MMEcfMsbiycdAKSUbV74wBWk8xfExXOvwwbZ8ejQAdgsF_FG-fI1g4Va3kK_P5l8Y5bG4x1KDQa66B1mk5Ra8wSXrh2oQd1vzgKvI_l1K_BcsRaGTS7kPJOQVxovheIN9o-/s320/A548C6F4-D58C-4B23-9A23-9A1541981114.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></td>
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As we walked on towards our Hotel we passed through another surprise location! St Mary’s Hospital! Was Penicillin really discovered here?</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D7MTvyeznr21q0ANef12RWjR2Gv9cqWOu3ky7OtK1SR7AR6o2A_z-Kvgywsw3mX5EKZnft2FmN0sQwTPqfWW-VKtkGho6HZ_hj_equIMPT3sYgQaKOwLaEbdCfbmgHIWLU_XFtVMbQN6p6zlWuvFgC1TQaK1h204AaI5bq67LJLVy5q9xXjh2pf8/s2048/2C16D365-DE68-497C-952F-3C75D2C4F254.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2D7MTvyeznr21q0ANef12RWjR2Gv9cqWOu3ky7OtK1SR7AR6o2A_z-Kvgywsw3mX5EKZnft2FmN0sQwTPqfWW-VKtkGho6HZ_hj_equIMPT3sYgQaKOwLaEbdCfbmgHIWLU_XFtVMbQN6p6zlWuvFgC1TQaK1h204AaI5bq67LJLVy5q9xXjh2pf8/s320/2C16D365-DE68-497C-952F-3C75D2C4F254.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></td>
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<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With that Oxford is a wrap, we fully intend to come back and fill in the gaps that are a thorough look at all the colleges inside and out, and a game of Punting! That night M and I (as is tradition) snuck out to the bar to catch some adult time while the kids caught up with electronics in the room! As I brought out my glasses sheepishly from my purse to read the menu at the bar, M clicked a pic! We may be growing old and having to take our glasses to the bar! But we are still not past goofing off and having some fun! I think I look good despite the glasses (the lighting in the bar may have had a big role to play!), so will leave you with that image!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAtGAZPQq8Tko8KhtGkyAy9oxYzE50HgeeFFJnSTYb_TSlS8JSza5oPKD80VYZ-XrlrK14Rtstb7oURsxnoJizyJSeoW8Z_qfLIsdkvymBfn-J7WlZjtC10ORA3N6f4Ni74eseTs9idE6fxcURwtCwar8utYnri3gUVZ-iy7Oy51rALKp27F7S8CU/s1024/2b6e0e7d-1ac3-4c55-9c70-b2cbccaa6d32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAtGAZPQq8Tko8KhtGkyAy9oxYzE50HgeeFFJnSTYb_TSlS8JSza5oPKD80VYZ-XrlrK14Rtstb7oURsxnoJizyJSeoW8Z_qfLIsdkvymBfn-J7WlZjtC10ORA3N6f4Ni74eseTs9idE6fxcURwtCwar8utYnri3gUVZ-iy7Oy51rALKp27F7S8CU/s320/2b6e0e7d-1ac3-4c55-9c70-b2cbccaa6d32.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-80124944997181206212022-07-09T16:43:00.184-04:002022-07-12T13:15:29.878-04:00London in a blur When we originally planned our trip we were warned this is too little time! 4 days in London is nothing ! But hey we wanted to do it all! So off we set on a 9 day journey to take it all in! In all of my Europe trips I have been underwhelmed by the cities. So we were prepared for London to be just that and didnt think we needed longer than the three days. But boy were we wrong! I didn’t think much of the history and culture till I saw it with my own eyes! London has a really chill vibe to it! Every corner you turn you take in a piece of history! You recognize something that brings a spark in your eyes! I was reaching out for my phone every other second much to my kids dismay! [To be fair I felt this way about Rome as well, history at every corner just overwhelmed me there!]<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ydNNoMhSTaIl-pA1q31XoaOKw8yaOtOJT39Ji09lAvYG7Vy-AcmV9O76vmmHvlDknuoou9iY56R9HUb2AxO2HncNOOJL2cbSh7Kyigz-bGbvD2G-zpY9qZCIYy-VayVJmTzbju7rH9UrYoM8PMQNYUQKO9cmzJMQf1ZOoFEpe2GNzqwtkdhmtX6q/s3706/B402B798-6E7B-4F38-B50A-B3F74FA19995.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1570" data-original-width="3706" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ydNNoMhSTaIl-pA1q31XoaOKw8yaOtOJT39Ji09lAvYG7Vy-AcmV9O76vmmHvlDknuoou9iY56R9HUb2AxO2HncNOOJL2cbSh7Kyigz-bGbvD2G-zpY9qZCIYy-VayVJmTzbju7rH9UrYoM8PMQNYUQKO9cmzJMQf1ZOoFEpe2GNzqwtkdhmtX6q/s320/B402B798-6E7B-4F38-B50A-B3F74FA19995.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>As we got off the airplane we decided to do it the L<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; text-size-adjust: 100%;">ondon way! We got ourselves the Oyster card and went off to explore the tube system and get to the hotel! In under £10 and a change of train later we were dropped off across our hotel at the Edgeware Rd station. I now felt like a pro at navigating London! I had the tube map pat down!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div>
<br /><div><table><tbody><tr><td>The hotel though had other plans! I paid through the nose to stay at a Hilton! But they were terribly under staffed, were under going construction and had an old property that was just unclean! And they wouldn’t give us a room till 3 PM. With a day to kill and our new found power in the Oyster cards we set off to explore Notting Hill. [side note: Oyster card is a pay as you go card that you can load up and swipe as you use the underground transit. It costs about £2.25 per trip regardless of where you go in central London. For a short visit the Travel card may work better as it’s about £7 for a 7 day unlimited pass. We did it like the locals do! ]</td><td><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1sg9hri3P-GZ8kD8545E3nFrU2Ibq4IJ3" height="198" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1sg9hri3P-GZ8kD8545E3nFrU2Ibq4IJ3" style="height: auto; max-height: 60%; max-width: 60%; width: auto;" width="148" /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Notting Hill ! There are plenty of tips across the Internet on what to do and how to visit this quaint l district of London. I made lots of notes and of course followed none! Now you could explore and take it all in as I did or you could explore and declare this is just “Nothing Hill” like Tootise did! As for me after the million times I have watched the movie I half expected Hugh Grant to pop out and say “Hello” in that adorable British accent! Now our journey.. We got off at Ladbroke Grove and made our way to Portobello market on Portobello street. It’s a street market that sells bespoke stuff! Think more like a thrift market/ antique mall vibe! The food street looked delectable but my family just walked past it as I took in the sights and smells! And ofcourse there are the lovely streets with the colorful homes, Lancaster street in Particular! IMO, looks very much like San Francisco in some parts! Here are some of the pictures from our wanderings! Notice Cheeky with the very London bucket hat, the London telephone booth and post boxes! </div><div><br /></div>
<div>Portobello Market</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lancaster Street</div><br />
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<td><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1D72rOtxvrGGcuT7LBUNKhSaCu5iLRgqi" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1D72rOtxvrGGcuT7LBUNKhSaCu5iLRgqi" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: auto;" /></div></td><td><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1b0b0CIpyH8N_-Ghw-j-SRoXaymkj_TEp" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1b0b0CIpyH8N_-Ghw-j-SRoXaymkj_TEp" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: auto;" /></div> </td> </tr></tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">After our walk we made our way back to Edgeware road in South Kensington for lunch. This place is dotted with a lot of Lebanese and Middle Eastern stores and restaurants! Some yummy falafel and shawarma to be had here!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We enjoyed the sightings of the famous Telephone booths and Post boxes. Now I must tell you the telephone boxes are filthy and tragic looking reminders of the past! The post boxes and really a lot of little things in London reminded us of India. It is clear to see that India was once a colony and has a lot of influences from London! Even some of the buildings reminded us of a walk down Old Madras (Mount Road and Paris Corner) or the Central Station in Madras and I am told Howrah station in Calcutta is almost a replica of Kings Cross! Clear to see the influences!</div><br />
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<td><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OqeQ0-LaAe34kHp0YAhuVF_6uKijwccK" height="200" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OqeQ0-LaAe34kHp0YAhuVF_6uKijwccK" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="150" /></div></td><td><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1j5D239ovZO6xtNBnWjLBA9v6RR-CSdK-" height="200" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1j5D239ovZO6xtNBnWjLBA9v6RR-CSdK-" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt; height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; text-size-adjust: 100%; width: auto;" width="150" /></div> </td></tr></tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At about this time the jet lag was feeling real! So it was a wrap for our day! We ended up going to an Indian restaurant near Soho for dinner with friends! London continues to amaze and surprise at every turn! That’s the University Hospital of London and Gower St. In a later post we will see other chance viewings when least expected. That was the theme of London :)</div><div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">I was ready to be underwhelmed by London but the surprises at every turn continues to amaze! More to explore tomorrow!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-83006815654124826972022-07-07T10:14:00.002-04:002022-07-12T10:21:38.177-04:00Harry Potter or the Queen? How about neither!I feel like this trip needs multiple introductory posts! Knowing me that’s all you will probably get, introductory posts! I am soon either going to run out of material or writing skills or time! But we will call it time shall we? Not that it matters/ to the -1 readers I have. I am sure I am the only one that reads my posts! That’s a 10 X degradation from my readership 15 years ago! However I still have the urge to write and this blog does exist (so do the other half a dozen blogs I seem to have created! With 3 posts each! Talk about ambitious!) So anyway, here goes!<div><br /></div><div>Tootsie turns 12 this year! I should have known that night when I started labor pains on July 4th. Our life was defined by that moment! When Tootsie turned 2 and 3 we thought it was a great idea to take a vacation and celebrate the birthday on the road! In a few years it became more of an expectation! After Eiffel Tower for the 8th birthday there was no turning back! At 12 Tootsie thinks its the right of passage! We have had a birthday trip every year, marred only by the one year that the whole world took a break for COVID (well to be fair rest of the world took a break for 2 years, but we didn’t! Even then!)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1NJo05io1745bhabLLI9s-om8rN-FQTs8" height="320" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1NJo05io1745bhabLLI9s-om8rN-FQTs8" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="256" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So this year as we started planning our annual vacation, Tootsie chimed in! “I know, for my birthday I want to visit the Harry Potter sites in London and Scotland! And the sucker that I am that became the plan! A trip to United Kingdom, so be it!! <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline; font-size: 12pt; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> No Harry Potter trip is complete without a trip to London, Oxford and Scotland! So that became the base of our itinerary!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1L_5YEE3-uqpKQ8DS6Z85aNIMQBFqbC7U" height="240" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1L_5YEE3-uqpKQ8DS6Z85aNIMQBFqbC7U" style="height: auto; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; width: auto;" width="320" /><br /></div><div>Now I must also mention Cheeky! He has grown quite a bit since my last rambling! He is now 17, and quite knowledgeable about all the ways the world has been wronged! Including all the racist references made by JK Rowlings and all the ways the Queen and the Kingdom have wronged the world! So we are no fans of either the Royalty or Harry Potter. With that, I say welcome to London!</div><div><br /></div><div>That’s the story of the life of every parent with 2 kids! I can so empathise with my parents now! The kids somehow choose to have diametrically opposite tastes, you please one and the other is less than impressed! However my kids have learnt to be reslient as kids often are and stoic as long as you dont exceed the time boundaries! Which I have found to be about half day give or take! At which time its time to abandon the tour and get some food! </div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like every trip gives all of us life lessons! Them how to deal with happy mom that wants to click a 1000 pics and just won’t simmer down! Or how to try to tame mom and fall short or just be embarrassed! Me how to curb my enthusiasm and plan lot of down time and learn when to abandon ship and call it a day!! So what if we missed visiting the palace and watching the Change of guard! As long as no one is killing each other we will call it a win! </div><div><br /></div>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-77050551494057711492022-07-05T10:20:00.000-04:002022-07-13T09:15:41.454-04:00Rearranging best laid plans! Oh well!It’s been 2 years of being land bound! Almost! If you know us you know we are (or rather I am) bitten by the travel bug! And often my family has no choice but to follow! However I do try even if I say so myself! I try to make the experience as fun/ tolerable for all members of the family! This year it was decided we would take ourselves to the United Kingdom! But I wanted to do more than just London. So it was decided that we would do a few days in London but have a drive through experience of Scotland! Dreaming of the Scottish Lochs and Moors I planned a packed itinerary with stays in Inns and Bed and Brakfasts! An itinerary that would take us through the Scottish wilderness to explore the unexplored!<div> I scoured the internet for months to put together this itinerary! I joined facebook groups to be sure! But overall I just enjoyed the planning journey!<div><br></div><div>But as it is said God/ luck/ fate whatever you may choose to call it has her own plans! (If there is an omnipresent I really hope its a her, so much more empathy we will get!) For the first time in 2 years we were ready to travel beyond the borders, and I planned a full itinerary for our 10 day trip! But it involved driving in Scotland and having so much confidence in the Mister’s driving skills I booked us a manual transmission car!</div><div><br></div><div>Half way to the flight, we realized someone had forgotten his drivers license! I can’t be trusted with a manual and there is no way I am paying another 1000 Pounds for an automatic! Oh well! But we still held on to hope and arrived in London!</div><div><br></div><div>After a couple of packed days in London (More on that later), DH was just not having it! As its usually my kids that are impacted by jet lag, boredom or just not feeling touristy this should have been a bit of a clue! The day we landed he was falling apart as we hit mid day! I booked us into a Hilton and paid through the nose to have a good experience! But we couldn’t get our room till late and by the time we got our room we were all way past done and the jet lag was feeling real! But most importantly DH was not having it! We got through the day, got a little bit of shut eye and met some friends for dinner. Day 2 was better, a day at Oxford. Our luck wasn’t having it though. I had hoped to take my Potter head to Christ Church to see the Hogwart Great Hall and other sights, but when we got there they told us they were all sold out! We made the most of the day, laughed, hung out and made it back in one piece and full of good humor! I will take that!</div><div><br></div><div>Day 3 was Harry Potter day! After a HP exploration of London DH was now complaining of a sore throat. I suspected he was just being paranoid and said so to the pharmacist as I picked up a COVID test and rolled my eyes as I picked up a cart load of medication. Bring on the Vitamin C, Strepsils, Paracetamol and whatever you can load on! The climax though was a bit of a let down! He tested positive for COVID! The new world we live in! Well we are all vaccinated, boostered up but still COVID catches you unawares and gives your body a beating while at it! All of the card loading will now come in handy! But the well laid plans wont!</div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1WY2yu3RYhcdLg_vn2272eUBowr17mD0y" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1WY2yu3RYhcdLg_vn2272eUBowr17mD0y" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div>We are taking the day off from the vacation, the Buckingham palace is being given a slip, Scotland will no longer be done by car, we will adjust, regroup and hopefully still have a unique experience we will all enjoy! After all that’s what life is about! I am glad my kids don’t care! In fact I may be the only one that does! But I always do and want to soak in the place as much as I can wherever I go! My family never gets it! But I can live with changing plans, as long as the family is together safe and secure! (Who am I kidding?, my heart is breaking all this beauty and I am not out there exploring! COVID be damned!)</div><div><br></div><div>And what’s life if there isn’t a bit or drama! That’s been the mantra of our lives all along! So be it! It gives me a story to tell!</div><div><br></div></div>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-57757796237217292932020-10-20T17:49:00.002-04:002020-10-20T18:31:58.574-04:00Entrepeneur is my name!Wednesdays are catch up day for the kids. So they don't have school/ virtual learning on Wednesdays. In our household that of course means vacation. My kids act like summer break all over again. Waking up at Noon and lazing around with devices. A couple weeks back I hear Tootsie going on in the other room and my phone buzzes. I get a video from my sister "Remote learning at its best" She says and sends a video of Tootsie teaching her little 4 yr old Super hero lessons! Lockdown for 4 yr olds can be really trying. So my sister had signed him up for these virtual classes to keep him occupied and Tootsie caught on!<div><br /></div><div>I texted back to my sister "You are in trouble! Did you negotiate the rates? What were you thinking?" Tootsie is the true mercenary entrepreneur! She does nothing for free! She made her Dad and me paintings for our office and sent us a bill. She gives her dad a 5 minute massage and charges him $5. She gives business advice to her friends! Last year her teacher had a marketplace where kids could bring and sell things for fake money! While other kids made 15 and 20$, Ms Entrepeneur made 300$. She had buy one get one free deals, price reductions at the end of the day, had the pulse of the room and was selling Slime and Puppy dog paintings! </div><div><br /></div><div>Also last year she started a club with her friends to Save Endangered Animals. STAC they called it. For a while they had been having "meetings", researching animals (the teacher used the opportunity) and making t-shirts for members (A parent donated blank t-shirts and the little artist painted on the shirts!). Little Miss Business decided they needed to raise money for the animals. So Tootsie planned with her friends to sell goodies at the local park. They had inside information that the water fountains were broken and so the entrepreneur in her decided water bottles, juice boxes, soda and light snacks (aka chips). Parents were recruited to buy goodies and donate to STAC, posters were made and one beautiful Sat afternoon snack stations were setup. 10 minutes go by and no one comes by. Tootsie looks on anxiously. "I think we are too far away from the playground. They don't know we are selling! They must think its a party"</div><div><br /></div><div>So she rallied the troops. "Lets go tell them we are here". And she starts walking up to random strangers " Hi, we are raising funds to Save endangered animals! All the money we collect will go to the Atlanta zoo endangered species program. Would you like to come buy something to support the animals?"</div><div>Or</div><div>"Are you thirsty or hungry? We have some yummy snacks and drinks"</div><div>"Cash Only!"</div><div>Or better yet!</div><div>"Oh didn't bring your wallet, we are going to be here for a while. You can go home and bring it we'll wait!"</div><div><br /></div><div>At every comment I just moved further away until I was sitting at the next table! But that pretty much sums up the little entrepreneur in her. She dolls out business advice to friends. When her friend started selling bracelets in the neighborhood Tootsie had advice on pricing, negotiation and marketing strategies! BOGO and discounts except we first decided the strategy before deciding the price! You get the math!</div><div><br /></div><div>Enough of the history lesson, lets now fast forward to Covid lockdown a time when mom and dad were being charged for paintings and chores around the house, her aunt told her about outschool. An online site where anyone could register (post background checks) to teach classes on any topic. I could literally see the light shining in her eyes as she had visions of teaching classes online and making money. And the wheels spinning as she decided between art and super hero lessons. But why go online and find new customers when we have one handy in the family! So young 4 yr old cousin was recruited and this fine Wednesday lessons were thought. While the gullible innocent aunt looked on!</div><div><br /></div><div>True to my prediction later that day I asked Tootsie what had happened and she narrated to me "I taught him 2 classes. I gave him super hero lessons and taught him how to draw a unicorn! So that totals to 26$.” Never mind that the total length of the session was 20 mins long! Still 2 topics were taught! The bill has been sent to the aunt and now she is really on the guard at every conversation. "At this rate" said she "I can’t afford unmonitored conversations with the little minx!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile the minx has been plotting a plan for the money. She plans to buy "vans’ shoes" with the money she earns off the aunt! Because everyone needs a vans’ shoe you know! And mom refused to buy her one since she was now an earning member of the family! </div><div><br /></div><div>So finally mom had to step in to cut a deal and talk a language that Tootsie would understand. A flat rate has been negotiated. Vans’ shoes for teaching the cousin to count until 100! We wont count how many classes that takes! Good luck tootsie!! 4 yr old Gattulu is a force to be reckoned with.. you are going to need that luck! Or as they say in Tamil "Sabash seriyana potti!"!!</div><div><br /></div>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-16127221012076849992020-09-01T20:21:00.000-04:002020-09-01T20:21:17.576-04:00Tootsie’s gospels!<p> Did you know you can find out a teacher’s nature from the light she uses in her classroom? White light and she is going to be strict and a stickler for rules, straight to the point and no nonsense. Yellow light and she is going to be flexible, fun and cool!</p><p>Tootsie is all of 10 and a talker! She sits down to profound conversations and stumps us with her logic. I recently switched jobs. After having worked for a small bank for years I have now moved to a company that specializes in small business loans. Tootsie sat down today and asked me “Mom, do you still work for a bank?”</p><p>“No Tootsie, I don't”</p><p>Tootsie “ So what do you do now?” This has been a fascination for both my kids. They are intrigued by mom’s job that has her talking all day and at home (I have been remote for the past 3 yrs) all day! So they constantly pick up words and jargons from my conversations and tease me about it!</p><p>I explained to her what my company does with small businesses. She seemed fascinated until I realized why</p><p>“So”, she asked “Can I get a loan?”</p><p>“Are you a small business?” I asked</p><p>“Yes” she says “you ask me to mind my business all the time”</p><p>The minx at her best!!</p>Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-15438954404143399252020-09-01T20:12:00.002-04:002020-09-01T20:12:57.865-04:00Home Schooling! Lockdown! Quarantine!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It’s been an interesting year thus far. 5 months of quarantine, virtual learning and lockdown. Terms we never thought we would hear. If someone had talked about this in 2019 we would have laughed out head off as the biggest joke! But thats the new normal in 2020.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It started out as murmurs about this mystery virus called Corona virus or COVID spreading in China and then Italy. The murmurs strengthened as it hit Seattle and slowly we began to understand the true term of globalization. In days the whole world had been impacted. On March 13th most of America went into lock down. Offices closed, schools closed and everyone went virtual. As weeks went by a new reality took shape. We watched as kids and teachers struggled with Zoom meetings and families struggled with technological needs and quiet spaces. Soon kids had become quite savvy at navigating the virtual world. Friends and family mocked the virus and those who feared it correlating it with the flu. But it started hitting home as the elderly started dying in throves, and the virus spread unchecked. Masks started coming on and were mandated everywhere. Masks and hand sanitizers are the way of life!</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">5 months and a long summer break later, we are still home all virtual! And countries struggle to find the cure, the light at the end of the tunnel! Businesses and families alike have defined a new normal. It’s a very different time and world.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yet I am thankful. It’s brought us closer, we have been blessed to be able to stay healthy both physically and mentally. To have the space and resources to be able to survive this. To have friends that have got us through the days when we just needed to meet someone else. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As the new school year started Tootsie started planning. 2 weeks before the first day a new desk was ordered, the computer was moved to her room and a sign was made that had 2 sides “Learning” and “Break”. And parents were told in no uncertain terms that we were not allowed to enter when the sign was on! Dad made the mistake of knocking a day when the sign was on break, Tootsie ran out turned the sign to “learning” and ran right back in without a second look, closing the door behind her. That pretty much sums up her approach to everything! :)</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Cheeky on the other hand insisted he needed no desk or supplies until the Sunday night before first day of school. On Sunday night he walked up to us having peeked into sister’s room and asked “Hey guys, where am I going to work?” We said “We asked you and you said you didnt need anything?” So Cheeky says “And you thought I was just going to skip school this year? What was your thinking?” So we scrambled and figured out what to do come Monday morning which involved kicking mom out of her office!! 2 days later we were in trouble for being too loud, sneezing too hard and causing too much distraction! And the show was moved to the basement and locked away!</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">So now we are all in different floors. Dad and daughter co-exist on the top floor. Mom and Puppy take the main floor and Mr. Boss man has the basement! Story of our lives! Thanking our blessings we have the space to spread out and stay out of trouble from the Boss Man and Girl Boss (she even has the sign on her desk that says that).</div>
Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-72541322477865840172018-12-12T09:53:00.000-05:002018-12-12T13:26:22.630-05:00The Elf on the Shelf! Me Too!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So after years of avoiding the marketing gimmick of "Elf on the Shelf" I finally succumbed to the pressure and popular demand. I am ashamed to say that I am the proud owner of not one but 2 Elves! However I am proud to say I did not completely fall for it. I bought some cheap elf stuffed toys so technically "They" did not win!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqpswcbIO0r8mUqktRnbj7RrSQN5cCZtdUKc9eTcUU0INmA42mvCOtzWA2wQcVg2RPQCHqabM9txwDnXxNiFDDaC8qqzB5nThmFwBcgES-tYUv_WxOW7YvNaTxP5OoS5Tt1RGsQSijCY/s1600/Elves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="508" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqpswcbIO0r8mUqktRnbj7RrSQN5cCZtdUKc9eTcUU0INmA42mvCOtzWA2wQcVg2RPQCHqabM9txwDnXxNiFDDaC8qqzB5nThmFwBcgES-tYUv_WxOW7YvNaTxP5OoS5Tt1RGsQSijCY/s320/Elves.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Tootsie is a sucker for every popular toy. She is every marketer's dream kid. She wants every single <br />
thing to hit the market! And she has been begging for an Elf on the shelf for years now! Now this is my little minx who long lost the "Santa fantasy". For that she blames her older brother! So she knows the truth about the Elf, but that has not stopped her.<br />
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She is 8 now and every year I tell myself, she is too old for this stuff! So why now? Well I am a sucker too I guess! We have a neighbor who indulges her kids and I get to hear all about it when Tootsie comes home. This year she helped decorate their tree, spent a night making christmas ornaments with them while mom here has no lights, no tree (tree still in box). So I got guilt tripped! and decided time to get into the christmas spirit! And fell for the trap!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERkfIPQHhqF-a22TTixusMywRm1VL_N6cWicX-a-cPRu3cZfH9PwnD9rqKAdeqiBl114k2_Hvejg-ArQI6lfH0jo5Mk1a8wLdwKzkT5fmTRKcjlyhwZnydcdja-CcDgQAf4afX66Uw9M/s1600/03A8995A-9444-496D-A779-ECC75F7F189E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERkfIPQHhqF-a22TTixusMywRm1VL_N6cWicX-a-cPRu3cZfH9PwnD9rqKAdeqiBl114k2_Hvejg-ArQI6lfH0jo5Mk1a8wLdwKzkT5fmTRKcjlyhwZnydcdja-CcDgQAf4afX66Uw9M/s200/03A8995A-9444-496D-A779-ECC75F7F189E.jpeg" width="150" /></a><br />
But I am no pro! So I do everything in reverse! The little elf dolls arrived and took a spot on the mantle in the living room. Tootsie took a look at it and said "Thats not the elf on the shelf, those are stuffed toys!" She also added, "I guess they are better than the little wooden pinnochio doll of last year" "Which" she had to point out "never moved!" Ugh!! The demands!<br />
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4 days later the elves on the shelf still sat there and Tootsie with her "atleast you tried" look just huffed! This bad mom forgot all about moving the elves! Now I tried to buy my way back in, so she got early christmas presents. She got a really nice camera that she thought was pretty impressive! But I decided I needed to top that!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRLWUIQIOP0YgwTYsQ6Bfny-FLg0HN_L4kfIqREgrdljXdKmyfGgG_IwwnjkK2XazyYkJkOF5VIzl0YpuuCmnxwPhEZjMvc4CNaSXeSpqBOdESRi634Dn1t_I4lD_iFHF9NAPW14Sk3s/s1600/DC052224-4F48-4743-8C7D-68EB19FA60E9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRLWUIQIOP0YgwTYsQ6Bfny-FLg0HN_L4kfIqREgrdljXdKmyfGgG_IwwnjkK2XazyYkJkOF5VIzl0YpuuCmnxwPhEZjMvc4CNaSXeSpqBOdESRi634Dn1t_I4lD_iFHF9NAPW14Sk3s/s320/DC052224-4F48-4743-8C7D-68EB19FA60E9.jpeg" width="240" /></a>Finally today the elf made a move! He was found sitting on the kitchen counter guilty of attempting bad selfies with said camera! He even left a note!<br />
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Tootsie was tickled to see it and it was worth all the effort that this mom went through. Then the neighbors kids came over! And 3 kids gathered around my fake elf! It sure felt like judgement day!<br />
"Are you sure that's a real elf" asked my neighbor's kid suspiciously eyeing it!<br />
"Yes I am positive" I croaked<br />
"The magical kind? But you cant be touching it or it will lose all its magic!!" as I tried to extract the note! Hey I had a point to prove!<br />
Even maybe even he could smell the incompetence, and knew I needed all the help I can get!<br />
"Ofcourse it is!" I said. "See it left a note and everything!"<br />
And with that I rushed them off. Time to switch topics if ever they was one!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJO2c0ftT8Lj__9dSLfNZqqQXWZEMkxK5kIQEktofIvhewzi9Qqnq1WxqFUoEPzpwpjrw5iVhcERJVxV-U9oz5zfOv1NfODK1AboBDN35ICx7Z0GnK1BRx-P5z8s35PlcsN2GMt139UU/s1600/8DCFEFB2-9B8A-4C44-8B9F-45D2FADB64BE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJO2c0ftT8Lj__9dSLfNZqqQXWZEMkxK5kIQEktofIvhewzi9Qqnq1WxqFUoEPzpwpjrw5iVhcERJVxV-U9oz5zfOv1NfODK1AboBDN35ICx7Z0GnK1BRx-P5z8s35PlcsN2GMt139UU/s320/8DCFEFB2-9B8A-4C44-8B9F-45D2FADB64BE.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Later that day Tootsie declared cynically “I really wish I didn’t know the truth! My friends still believe in Santa!”<br />
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Well, I am not so sure about that! But lets all just pretend in the fantasy for a little bit! Why not! So Tootsie and I talked about how much fun this is even if we are pretending. And as always we kind of lost track of who was the adult for a bit.<br />
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But Tootsie I can tell is into it. She made the elves this little bunk bed after school! And we even printed real Elf poems and named them Elfie and Elfolina! Talk about doing everything backwards!<br />
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Edited to add: And guess what awaited her this morning. More Elf mischief! <span style="text-align: center;">Elfie was caught making some smores this morning! While Elfolina just seemed to have been eating a lot of candy! Wonder who she got that from!!</span><br />
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She thought it was really funny! Its a struggle though. With Cheeky trying his hardest to be the obnoxious older brother and pointing out every few minutes the flaws of fantasy! And Tootsie swinging between wanting to believe and knowing the reality! I was the only one who was all dreamy eyed but I am proud to say insanity prevailed. And we made it through this morning with all the giggles. Even cynical teen had to admit (not out loud, never out loud but the smile was a give away) that there was fun in it!<br />
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SCORE!! But christmas season is not over yet! And this mom is going to need a lot of help to keep it entertaining! At least I think this means I don't need to take the tree out of the box or go outside in the cold and hang up lights! I wish!<br />
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Tootsie left the house this morning saying "I wonder what he will do tomorrow!" Oh Sigh! Google please help!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEvoQhG-ar0DpGYopDrRZF-FPNFRJHhup_BF-Mjkog0neKv7dIETHTWNYJDwjpgv-mhdHLDJyR56u8Cuf48d5dlpX2_D9wLGrOG72f59adbkkk3irq1oYAkhjhMtZzpb9RGMH_jDsr0g/s1600/9C1443AE-D320-463E-AC0B-1EE08452C60A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEvoQhG-ar0DpGYopDrRZF-FPNFRJHhup_BF-Mjkog0neKv7dIETHTWNYJDwjpgv-mhdHLDJyR56u8Cuf48d5dlpX2_D9wLGrOG72f59adbkkk3irq1oYAkhjhMtZzpb9RGMH_jDsr0g/s200/9C1443AE-D320-463E-AC0B-1EE08452C60A.jpeg" width="150" /></a>So you think I am really going to keep this up? I wouldn't place my bets on it. But if you are, I sure hope you win!!<br />
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P.S. I need to thank fellow blogger Abha for the wonderful "Elfie notes" idea. I love her little posts this year of Elfie tales and shamelessly stole the idea! Thanks Abha!<br />
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Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-80214382063815123382018-05-01T09:46:00.003-04:002018-05-01T09:53:56.778-04:00The little femnist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In this day and age of feminism I have a little Pixie who never needed to be taught the word. She was just born as one. She is the 2 yr old who changed every rhyme with boys in it to say girls. She sang "Baa baa black sheep.. with little girl who lived down the street". She enjoys reading about Rosa Parks and Malala at Age 7. She questions every single atrocity to women. Did you know women did not have the right to vote? That's ridiculous! She says. She also adores Martin Luther King and has books about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. Also made me buy the movies Selma and Mahatma Gandhi so she could watch them.<br />
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She is the little girl who decided she wants to wrestle in the junior wrestling team next year. She couldn't this year as other activities interfered. But she came home one day and told me "I am going to be on the wrestling team next year!" Being a wrestling family, she has wrestled before and my son is on the wrestling team, so I didn't think much of it. But I did not have to wait long for an explanation. Indignant she says "The boys in my class think they are stronger! I'll show them!" One of the kids in her class wrestles on the team and she is hoping other boys in her class will show up too and she can teach them a thing or 2. I had to tell Ms. Firebrand that she cant be caught wrestling someone on school grounds! "I know mom!" she says rolling her eyes! "Just on the mat!"</div>
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This week she has been tasked with doing a project about a famous personality. Her teacher said pick a personality that changed the world! And the examples were of Walt Disney and such. So we were surprised at her pick "Juliette Gordon Low" Apparently she is the lady who fought for Women's rights and established Girls Scouts. Tootsie sits there on her tablet reading about Low and watching videos about her biography so she can be well informed. And then she comes to us and says "I dont get it!If boys and girls are equal why is there a boys scouts and a girls scouts?" Fair point I tell ya! And after learning more she has decided she wants to be a cub scout! I had to defend Juliette Low saying she was first trying to get Girls to join the scouts which is why she formed a special club! So with that defense we continue on the project of Juliette Gordon Low. But we are unimpressed that the 2 clubs have not yet been merged!</div>
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I think I have a politician in the making here! #EqualAllTheWay #GirlPower</div>
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Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-466855428365211742017-03-08T00:23:00.001-05:002017-03-08T00:32:52.618-05:00Do we need Women's day? When is Men's day? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tomorrow is Woman's Day. Now is the time when many people try to show their respect for Women. Men and Women alike post videos and articles about how celebrated women should be. They are after all the Martyrs that sacrifice their life and hope and ambitions. For what? To be a dutiful wife, mother and daughter in law. And what do they expect in return, your respect, your acknowledgement, your time! But yet you want to watch your favorite sport on TV, or belittle their art, or sleep in on a Sunday! How sacrilegious of you to not notice her martyrdom!<br />
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Every year there is that one video, one Chetan Bhagat open letter or one picture that makes it to everyone's facebook page, or whatsapp group. There is one such video this year as well. Unfortunately it drives me up the wall. It shows me how little we think of women. How we have not moved forward at all over all these years! What is Woman's day about? Is it a day to thank the women in your life for all the sacrifices she has made? Is it a day to celebrate how truly great she is because she is such a door mat?<br />
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Now lets look at the other extreme? Is Women's day the day to celebrate the liberated woman who no longer cares for the family. Is it the day to declare she will no longer be solely responsible for raising her kids. She will no longer be the cook and provider in the household? After all we are all feminists now aren't we?<br />
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So when do we celebrate Men's day ? The other 364 days in the year?<br />
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Why do we need to "liberate" women? Why do we have to celebrate their "sacrifices"? Only because we suppress them. We expect them to give up their hopes and dreams for us right? Because we judge them, define what we term as success for them. Force fit them into these martyr shoes that don't want to fit.<br />
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You can be a woman or a man. If you are a parent, teach your kids about gender equality and not about liberating woman. Teach your kid that choosing a day to remember a woman is teaching him to forget the rest 364 days. Teach your son's that there will come a day to pick roles in the household. They should be picked because of interests and likes. Not because you are a man or a woman. Teach your daughter that she is equal to any man or woman. But that does not mean she needs to be a man. She needs to embrace herself and her uniqueness and be what she wants to be. If she wants to be a caregiver thats her choice. As is being a Corporate Moghul. Be comfortable in your skin that is what is important.<br />
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We dont need a day to be patronized or celebrated or validated. We need a day, every day to be who we are without being judged. Be empowered my dear girls. Conquer the world!<br />
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Starting today teach your son's and daughter's gender equality not women's liberation. Lets move towards not having to celebrate "Woman's Day". Every day is Human day!</div>
Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-53965525205697311102016-12-21T09:53:00.000-05:002018-05-01T09:58:55.553-04:00Do not test me!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We don't take to testing. At all. That's the challenge of the year. We are having terrible 6's in our household. Earlier in the year we hated math because of fast facts. There was so much drama till I had to teach her how to not care how she did. Which of course means she tells me "Mommy I did better than yday and that's all that matters". </div>
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In counting on the last report card she made a 2 grade. Which translates to "approaching standards". All other math standards were at 3 or 4 (exceeds std). That was puzzling.. the teacher said she was asked to count to 120 but apparently only did to 100. Ask the pixie "They didn't ask me to stop so I thought 100 is a big number. They Must Be Really Tired Listening. And I stopped." </div>
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Accelerated Reading (AR) is the most miserable story. She reads her books but refuses to take any tests. We have tried every single tactic but nothing helps. I hate comparing my kids to other kids, but thought thats a tried and tested method "peer motivation"! She told her friend in unequivocal terms "Lets talk about something else" and me "Mom I am unique! Do you want to be X's mom? No right? Then stop talking about her" Oh Well! Since when do 6 yr olds talk like this?</div>
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I guess we will just have to wait to meet Math standards and take tests! After all this is the same kid who went to an eye exam and refused to open her mouth. She was 2 and they were showing her pictures of objects and the objects kept getting smaller and Tootsie stopped talking. Mom and Doctor were bewildered. "Why arent you saying anything, cant you see what it is?" </div>
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"I told you already. You are not listening!" She said. So there went the eye exam, we were just left guessing how well she could see!</div>
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Some kids are just not test takers I guess. Only option now is to change the education system!</div>
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Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-18337136340387172662016-03-01T14:56:00.001-05:002016-03-01T21:39:44.856-05:00In a league of her own<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am re-learning parenting this time around. None of the parenting tricks I have learnt works, and re-learning is not an option. No parenting book or self help website is of any use with this new brand of kid we have produced. For Tootsie is truly in a league of her own!<br />
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But life never lacks for entertainment. Thats a given. We get these elaborate feminist notes taped on our wall. Be it about the fact that "Boys are not allowed in our room.. except Daddy and boys that sometimes need to sleep in the room"<br />
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Or a venn diagram about the likes and differences between gingr bred man and grl! Here is a picture<br />
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Yes kindergartener's are being taught about venn diagrams. And my little pixie thought this was a good opportunity to put together some feminist thoughts. After all she is the kid who turned every rhyme to the feminine gender. We can't let boys have all the fun can we?<br />
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How do you make friends? For years I have taught my kids to be friendly. If you see a kid who doesnt have a friend, go be friendly. If you see a new kid at school be her friend. Always pick the right thing to do.. and blah, blah and blah.<br />
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So guess what Ms. Firebrand does when she sees a kid sitting by herself on the ground<br />
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Mom I saw this girl sitting by herself on the playground. So I went and asked her "Are you new?"<br />
She said "Yes"<br />
I asked "Do you have any friends?"<br />
The girl said "No"<br />
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At this point you would assume the obvious. But here is where we are in a league of her own<br />
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Tootsie "So I told her ...let me teach you how to make friends. You walk up to someone who you want to play with and ask 'Hi can I be your friend. What would you like to play'. And then you just play what they like to play"<br />
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The clueless mom ofcourse had to ask "But Tootsie couldnt you be her friend? Maybe include her in your game?"<br />
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Tootsie "No mom I have my friends I want to play with"<br />
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So there we have the whole concept of lead the horse to the water down pat!<br />
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And there is more. One day Tootsie comes up to me and says "Mom is that a need or a want?" So now everytime I want something I am asked "Is that a need or a want?" Everytime she needs something "Its a need". But I need toys, how else will I play? And when I explained to her what need and want really is she changes that to "But I need toys to grow smarter"<br />
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Sigh!! This little fire brand has us dancing to her tunes! She has us fumbling at parenting and giving up.. we are just guided by the little missy.</div>
Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-78535181723594331232015-10-08T19:12:00.001-04:002015-10-08T19:12:29.125-04:005 yr old truant!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cheeky is growing.. He is now 11 years old! 11 years old and head spinning busy. The kid loves every sport there is, is good at academics but treats that as his last priority. So ofcourse he is the tiger mom's nightmare. He wants to become a UFC fighter and trains for it like he means business! Not for the faint hearted let me tell you that!<br />
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So for this birthday I decided my busy kid needs a little break. So we were going to play truant and take a mom and son day. Cheeky loved the idea convinced dad it would be a mom, dad and son day just no sister! Well it is his birthday, so we agreed and all was set. Till the bday dawned. The little monster caught a whiff of the plan.<br />
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Day of, she woke up and could barely speak. Looked tired and with a nasal tone said "Mom I am so sick". We knew what was going on here, but she is 5 yrs old. So we gave her some credit, gave her a doze of cold medication (she did have a cold) and tucked her back into bed. After I was overheard calling the school to tell them she was out sick we heard the little rascal bounding down the corridor. "So guys lets go get the cake" she squealed!<br />
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The day was a whirlwind of fun.. now armed with both kids we went to the park, ate out, hit the bounce house, had an icecream cake and finished the day off with a movie! Never again is Tootsie going to let us plan a Mom and Son day! I did get a confession from her "I did not want to miss out on the fun activities" she says swinging upside down from the play structure!<br />
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What are we going to do when this kid turns 15.. she claims she doesnt understand what the word "fib" means but we dont believe a word of what comes out of that innocent face!</div>
Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-38385172747389412322015-08-17T19:34:00.001-04:002015-08-17T19:34:46.061-04:00Kindergarten Diaries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"Mommy we dont shower in Kindergarten" was the first update I ever got about Tootsie's Kindergarten life. You would wonder why my kid thought that was an important bit of information to divulge to parents? Well.. We got a long voluntary supply list for Kindergarten. Every year for Cheeky that meant going to the store and buying a ton of stuff. But it was always a long drawn exercise, looking at folder colors, arguing about what characters needed to be on said folders.<br />
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This year everything was ordered online and packed and put away without much room for arguments. But there was one thing Tootsie was allowed to pick. A bath towel for Kindergarten! She was very surprised and amused at this request. Hence the important update. The bath towel is for rest time after lunch. After all the work that these munchkins do, they need to rest and watch tv at school!<br />
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A lot of my friends have been asking me "How was kindergarten? How is she holding up?". My response has been "Perhaps you should ask the teacher this?". Because so far it looks like Kindergarten has been the hardest on the teacher! Tootsie settled down in Kindergarten a few seconds after entering the classroom. Since then she has kept the teacher busy.<br />
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I decided to pick her up on her first week of school. And Tootsie thinks its completely unnecessary for me to indulge in all this drama! She has actually rolled her eyes at me and asked me when Ms. G will be picking her up. She will be going to after school care with Ms. G and Tootsie adores her! I must add, Tootsie has also offered to just walk home by herself in the mean time. Whats with my children??<br />
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On the second day of school, Tootsie came up to me and said "We need to bring the folder and school supplies!" I was shocked. Just the previous day I had turned in 2 large bags packed with school supplies. In fact I had turned in more than what was requested as in a number of cases I got big economy packs! And now they needed more? I decided to ask the teacher. She says "You know I think she wants to take the school supplies home."<br />
Me "What? Why?"<br />
Ms. D "I tried to explain that school supplies stay at school. After listening, she asks 'but can I take my folder home?' Could you please explain to her that they stay in the classroom?"<br />
Me "Hmm. Tootsie what do you want to take home?"<br />
Tootsie walks me to her cubby, shows me a pink folder thats in there and says "When can I take that home?"<br />
Me "It stays at school, you will use it here"<br />
"But mom its mine. I want to take it home!"<br />
Sigh.. this kindergarten thing is challenging!<br />
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Next Tootsie walks over to her teacher "When are you giving us IPads?" she asks<br />
Ms. D "Can you explain to her that we dont have funding for IPads"<br />
Me "I think she is asking that because of the headphones she brought in. Besides they had IPads at her private pre-school!!!!"<br />
Ms. D "Oh maybe we will get Chrome books later in the year"<br />
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After that I decided Ms. D definitely needed to call it a day and took Tootsie home. Earlier that week, Tootsie had asked me when she could have her own phone (like brother) "so I can use headphones". After some more convincing, I thought we had put the tale of school supplies and IPads to rest.<br />
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Next morning as we walked to school Tootsie asks "Mom do you think they will give us laptops today? I am going to ask Ms. D"<br />
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"Tootsie!!!!!!"<br />
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Poor Ms. D. Being a kindergarten teacher can sure be demanding. And to think she has 20 other kids asking her all kinds of questions! I can certainly empathise with her!<br />
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About Tootsie.. I can tell this kid will survive Kindergarten well! If her teachers will, remains to be seen! Back to work mom, no more excuses!!</div>
Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-80610719748181879362015-08-12T19:53:00.000-04:002015-08-12T19:58:18.729-04:00The making of the babies! And kids moving on!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"Cheeky, did you go to God and ask for a Baby sister?" came the question<br />
"Hmm.. No actually I asked for a Baby brother" says Cheeky<br />
I prepare myself for some drama.. but no little drama queens have grown up and are thinking about matters too deep to worry about little set backs.<br />
"Mommy can you go to the temple where Cheeky prayed for me?" she says<br />
"What temple?"<br />
"The temple where you go to get baby brothers and sisters?"<br />
"Huh" says the dumb mom!<br />
"I would like to pray for a baby sister"<br />
"When I turn 10, the baby will turn 4 just like Cheeky's baby sister". She even got the timing right! But how?????<br />
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"But Tootsie that will mean I need to have another baby. I dont think I am ready to have another baby"<br />
"You just have to Mommy, how else will I get a baby sister?"<br />
"Tootsie finish up your icecream" and like that catastrophe has been averted! For now!<br />
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In other news today was first day of school! For my Kindergartner and Middle Schooler. And I am just a lost clueless mom! I decided to work from home today to be there for drop off and pick up. A luxury my kids dont get through the year. The middle schooler has some confusion with Schedule, has no idea where his classroom is, but needs no help from the parent! The kindergartner is apparently a veteran at this. Walks in to her classroom, puts away all her stuff and finds her seat. Kindergarten is apparently very complicated. The backpack, lunch box and snack each go in different colored baskets and cubbies. And then you go find your name and sit down. But Tootsie did this like she has been doing this every day! All parents were inside the classroom helping their kids and ceremoniously cutting the chord. I thought maybe I should pretend to be a caring parent and walked in at this point. My little pixie actually looked confused about what my role there was. She gave me a fist pump, rolled her little eyes and said "Bye Mom!". She then stretched her hands, yawned and rested on her desk watching all the kids and their parents walking around the classroom. I had no choice but to leave. Might as well have taken the day off and gone vacationing. For all my planning, drop off lasted less than 5 minutes!<br />
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Pick up was yet another story. Tootsie looks at me surprised "What are you doing here?"<br />
"hey I am still your mom! You still stay at my house!"<br />
"Mommy! I was going to walk home by myself!"<br />
"Whaaat?"<br />
She then refuses to hold my hand, takes off a strap of the backpack off her shoulder.<br />
"I know this is how Cheeky does it. I can do this" she says!<br />
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Before I know it, this girl is going to be moving out! Atleast I will have Cheeky! So about that, because there was a lot of confusion about his schedule I decided to pick him up from school. I stood with 2 other uncool mom's just inside school but far away from the classroom. "Uncool! Uncool!" ringing in my head! Cheeky looks up from his phone (proud to say he is texting me! Still not that old!), and says "Seriously?!"<br />
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"Cheeky since I did not drop you off, I thought it might be nice to pick you up. Not cool?" I asked<br />
"Mom. Its not cool to even be on the same street as your kid's school!" He says!<br />
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I need to be hash tagging! #EmptyNesterComingSoon</div>
Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241150764547952609.post-21536711372788970472015-08-11T13:14:00.002-04:002015-08-11T13:14:58.555-04:00College? But Why? I am ready now!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tootsie the Pixie has a personality that keeps life interesting for all of us. She is 5 now, ready to start kindergarten. Her spark of personality is so unique true to her name. We are often stumped by her brand of reasoning.<br />
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Many years ago a wise lady advised me on dreaming big. She said its important for us to encourage our kids to dream big and set them on the right path. She had convinced her kids they should be doctors and if you asked them thats what they would say. But not mine. I have tried this many times with Cheeky. He went from wanting to be a fire fighter to a truck driver to a wrestler and UFC Fighter. Yes my son wants to be a fighter in cage fighting!!!!! No amount of encouragement to pursue a less bloody career works! If you ask him what you want to be when you grow up.. there are only 2 answers you would get. "A billionaire" is usually the first one! How will you get there? "UFC Champion" is the next. I have never failed to remind him ... UFC Champions are not billionaire's. Warren Buffet is a billionaire!<br />
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Now Tootsie is a different story all together. She is this complacent little munchkin! She still cant read, doesnt care enough to try. She can be found often times in her own world humming a tune, dancing a step or better still talking to herself! She is my little dreamer! So I thought maybe this time I will be lucky! So I started on a mission... after being lectured multiple times "You can be whatever you want to be, mom" it looked like my luck would turn!<br />
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And I had Doc Mc. Stuffins to thank! So Tootsie decided she wanted to be a doctor! I was so thrilled that finally here was a kid who would do me proud when asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" After years of answering "A princess" she had taken to saying a "Doctor Princess". But Tootsie is a deep thinker. She came to me one day and said, "But mom.. I dont know what Doctors do".<br />
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Me distractedly "They take care of people"<br />
Tootsie still the little troubled frown on her face "But I dont know how to"<br />
Me "Thats what college's are for. They will teach you there"<br />
After lengthy discussions about colleges and learning to be a professional, you would have thought I put her mind to ease? Oh no... I changed her mind!! Now ask her what she wants to be "A teacher" she says<br />
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"Why Tootsie?"<br />
"Because I already know how to be one!"<br />
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Talk about Ms. Lazy Bones! We tried our hand at convincing her otherwise, and asked her "What do teachers do?"<br />
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Tootsie "They ask kids to line up, go to the playground, wash up, line up again go eat"<br />
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So Cheeky says "What if the kids dont listen to you?"<br />
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That apparently got the little Missy thinking. Recently she was heard telling someone "I am going to be a teacher of older kids. Because they listen"<br />
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We are not going to read in Kindergarten and we definitely are not planning on college! I will just not tell her that teachers need to go to college too. If not we will be back to "Princess"! I must be a great mom at inspiring my kids! I better shut up and let nature take it course!!!</div>
Preethihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10943344283863649487noreply@blogger.com1