Edinburgh

The beginning of the week I took a trip up to Edinburgh for a few days for another interview. 

Edinburgh Castle.

The beginning of the week I took a trip up to Edinburgh for a few days for another interview. My hotel was very nice and quite impressive. Though I think they were slightly optimistic having a terrace bar. It is Scotland after all. The weather on Tuesday (when I was on a train and in an interview) was lovely though still not sitting outside weather really. On Wednesday, when I was walking around the city, it was freezing! I even brought a hat and scarf. 

Grand ceiling

Terrace

But it was very beautiful. I really wanted to go around the castle, so got there first thing.

On the way to the castle

The castle entrance.

The only way up to the castle is up a hill. (The other 3 sides are cliffs.) The band arrived while we were waiting to get in. 

The band

I got in early so it was fairly empty. It did not stay that way for long.

Canons.

I also somehow managed not to spot one of the canons and walked into it. I now have a very nice bruise on my shin. :( At least there wasn't anyone around to see my graceful moment.

At least it was not the giant canon I walked into. That would have just been embarrassing.

Mons Meg

View over Edinburgh

The castle

St. Margaret's Chapel.

Window to St. Columbus

Window for Queen Margaret

View from the canon portal.

Laich hall

You couldn't take photos in the crown jewels room or the war memorial. The crown jewels were very cool, but if you go, ask the person there to give you some information. They don't put much up to read but the staff really know their stuff and the stories were great.  Like the 4 students stealing the coronation stone from Westminster (where it was put until the coronation chair) and tried to repatriate it back to Scotland and managed to stay on the run for 4 months with a giant stone hidden.

War memorial.

Shy horse. :)

The great hall was good. There is a grated window in the top corner where the king used to hid and spy on the courtiers and the queens.

Great hall

There was also some changing of the guard type thing. I honestly am not sure as I missed the start, but I did feel sorry for them in the kilts. It was seriously cold, despite being May!

Chilly in the kilt.

Dark skies.

There are numerous museums, most related to wars of some sort. Interesting but some of the figures were a bit creepy. Not realistic, just a little demented.

Playing the bagpipes.

A little too happy.

The room with rows on rows of medals was cool. I only took a picture of one of the many windows.

Medals.

Stained glass window.

Man and his horse.

Over the city.

There is also a prison, which most people seemed to miss so was quiet. The punishments seemed a bit excessive in the past.

Punishments.

I had a hot chocolate over looking the city, and timed it well, before all the crowds.

Views

I decide to have a look the other side of castle and walk around. (It seemed like a good idea to see as much as possible at the time. Later, 13km later, not so much.)
But the park was nice and quiet.

Puppy!

Cliff up to the castle.

They still had bluebells!

Colors

Fountain.

My knees were killing me at this point so I decided not to climb the Scot's monument. Next time.

Looking up the Scot's monument.

Posing squirrel.

I had some time to kill before lunch so sat and read my book. Until I couldn't feel my fingers. (Summer has been postponed in the UK at the moment.) I had a look inside the Church of Scotland, but it was very boring inside.

I was then wined and dined by some recruiters. I have to say it was a lovely feeling, compared to astronomy where you fight for everything. The guys were brilliant and have been really helpful. 

But thankfully that was the last interview. I have now accepted a job! :) 

A morning sailing.

This week was national sailing week (or something like that). Kerry and Craig found a sailing club who were doing free sailing taster sessions. So we went along. Dad didn't feel like it so took the photos instead. Which was good as I left the water proof camera on the sofa at home. :(

We were properly dressed and ready for the less than lovely weather. And we got some lovely bright green string to add to our glasses. (Better safe than sorry). And very fetching!

Wind swept (and we hadn't started yet!)

Near collision

Kerry and Craig enjoying it

We're off.

:)

Having fun obviously.

Into the wind

It was fun. We got to do the tacking and change direction.

Duck!

Because of the wind, (someone gushing and then nothing) they used the rescue boat to get us to and from the boat (transfer was interesting).

Coming back

Pulling faces.

:)

One boat capsized. So glad we were not in it. It was too cold for that!

Thankfully this was not us!

On the way back in.

London Bridge

On Thursday, I had an interview in the centre of London, next to London bridge.

London bridge

After the interview (which was another interesting and very different experience), I had a few hours before my train back so decided to have a look around the bridge. Interesting if you need to kill an hours.

One of the towers

There are two walkways, with glass sections looking down. Unfortunately there was no bridge raise until that evening.

Walkway

View north over the river

Looking down

Some of the information was interesting. I never realized there was a beach. Apparently there still is. I have no idea where though. I couldn't see it!

There was a London bridge beach.

The second walkway

View south (I interview over there) and the Shard

They had a display of famous bridges. Not very exciting but they did have a panel to the Iron bridge, near where I live. The first bridge made of iron so very important! :)

Iron bridge

Looking up to look down.

The "making of" was ok but no one else seemed to notice the builders in the ceiling above.

Builders!

The last part is the engine room; to me, the most interesting part.

Huge boiler.

Steam engine.

Now that is a wrench

Up the shaft.

I also wanted to go to the HMS Belfast but didn't have the time. Maybe next time I am in the area.

Though the area is very posh around there.