Edinburgh.
26 May 2011 10:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
curiouswombatSteam train trip - part two...
So we didn't do much during our break in Edinburgh except potter along Princes Street and spend time in Princes Street Gardens - but I did take some pictures to prove that we'd been there - including some of one of my favourite water features.
This is what the steam enthusiasts love -
And I really like this one -
Now - to prove we actually were in Edinburgh -
I love that fountain - except that it wasn't fountaining - it was just a rather beautiful swimming pool for ducks and gulls - who were pointedly ignoring the 'No Bathing' signs!
I love, especially, the figures whose legs start off looking as if they are wearing harems pants and then slowly morph into something more fishlike - but they are certainly not the traditional mermaids...
Here is a close-up; you can see the effect I mean.
And now, just a picture how beautiful Princes Street Gardens are - right in the heart of the city -
There was something missing, for us. When we honeymooned in Edinburgh, and again when I took D-d there on holiday about 10 years ago, there were squirrels in Princes Street Gardens - they were easy to spot - any possibility of food and they sat at your feet. But this time, no matter how hard we looked, we couldn't see a single squirrel.
Moving on, here is a back view of some of the houses in the old town -
The banners tell you that the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is in session, the neo-classical building on the right is the Royal Scottish Academy.
And here is a close-up of that skyline; there are eight stories or more in some of those centuries old buildings. I love the turrets, and those chimneys that look as if they are trying to look as tall as the buildings around them.
Then we made our way back to the station to be on the platform before the train came in, as there was a plan for S2C to be able to visit the footplate before we had to take our seats. We waited... and waited... and it was almost time for the train to leave and still it hadn't arrived at the platform, which was now crowded with all of us who were due to get back onto the train, and fifty or more steam enthusiasts with their cameras at the ready.
Fortunately there were two of the gentlemen from Pathfinder on the platform with us. They were in constant touch with the staff on the train as the story unfolded. There was a problem with the water supply at the railyard outside Edinburgh and they weren't able to fill the tender with enough water to get the engine down to Berwick, for the first watering stop! They had tried various different things, the water company were trying to mend the fault, the fire brigade had volunteered one of their water tenders, but it only held about 10% of what was required... The train was likely to be about an hour late - we might as well all go and have coffee.
We headed for the Costas which is inside one of the station buildings. And it was as I sat waiting for my coffee to cool that I glanced up and found I was looking at
Isn't that lovely? And around it there is a parade of cherubs -
I wonder how many people sit there and never notice?
We returned to the platform - still no train. News; it was impossible, in all of Edinburgh, to get enough water into the tender of the Duke of Gloucester - and without a full tender of water it couldn't get us back to Berwick. A diesel would need to be added to provide extra power - and a driver would be needed for the diesel, and then they would need to reschedule both a platform (it's a very busy station), and the slot on the main line. More coffee... a wander around WH Smiths... we were beginning to feel that we wouldn't mind what pulled us south as long as we went.
Then, finally, the Duke (with diesel escort) pulled in and everyone either really or metaphorically cheered. We piled back into our carriages and all the catering staff greeted us cheerfully, even though they must have been stuck on the carriages in the shunting yard, worrying about when they were going to have to serve the meals.
It was like coming home - and it was so good to settle back into our seats and await dinner. Of which, more next time.
So we didn't do much during our break in Edinburgh except potter along Princes Street and spend time in Princes Street Gardens - but I did take some pictures to prove that we'd been there - including some of one of my favourite water features.
This is what the steam enthusiasts love -
And I really like this one -
Now - to prove we actually were in Edinburgh -
I love that fountain - except that it wasn't fountaining - it was just a rather beautiful swimming pool for ducks and gulls - who were pointedly ignoring the 'No Bathing' signs!
I love, especially, the figures whose legs start off looking as if they are wearing harems pants and then slowly morph into something more fishlike - but they are certainly not the traditional mermaids...
Here is a close-up; you can see the effect I mean.
And now, just a picture how beautiful Princes Street Gardens are - right in the heart of the city -
There was something missing, for us. When we honeymooned in Edinburgh, and again when I took D-d there on holiday about 10 years ago, there were squirrels in Princes Street Gardens - they were easy to spot - any possibility of food and they sat at your feet. But this time, no matter how hard we looked, we couldn't see a single squirrel.
Moving on, here is a back view of some of the houses in the old town -
The banners tell you that the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is in session, the neo-classical building on the right is the Royal Scottish Academy.
And here is a close-up of that skyline; there are eight stories or more in some of those centuries old buildings. I love the turrets, and those chimneys that look as if they are trying to look as tall as the buildings around them.
Then we made our way back to the station to be on the platform before the train came in, as there was a plan for S2C to be able to visit the footplate before we had to take our seats. We waited... and waited... and it was almost time for the train to leave and still it hadn't arrived at the platform, which was now crowded with all of us who were due to get back onto the train, and fifty or more steam enthusiasts with their cameras at the ready.
Fortunately there were two of the gentlemen from Pathfinder on the platform with us. They were in constant touch with the staff on the train as the story unfolded. There was a problem with the water supply at the railyard outside Edinburgh and they weren't able to fill the tender with enough water to get the engine down to Berwick, for the first watering stop! They had tried various different things, the water company were trying to mend the fault, the fire brigade had volunteered one of their water tenders, but it only held about 10% of what was required... The train was likely to be about an hour late - we might as well all go and have coffee.
We headed for the Costas which is inside one of the station buildings. And it was as I sat waiting for my coffee to cool that I glanced up and found I was looking at
Isn't that lovely? And around it there is a parade of cherubs -
I wonder how many people sit there and never notice?
We returned to the platform - still no train. News; it was impossible, in all of Edinburgh, to get enough water into the tender of the Duke of Gloucester - and without a full tender of water it couldn't get us back to Berwick. A diesel would need to be added to provide extra power - and a driver would be needed for the diesel, and then they would need to reschedule both a platform (it's a very busy station), and the slot on the main line. More coffee... a wander around WH Smiths... we were beginning to feel that we wouldn't mind what pulled us south as long as we went.
Then, finally, the Duke (with diesel escort) pulled in and everyone either really or metaphorically cheered. We piled back into our carriages and all the catering staff greeted us cheerfully, even though they must have been stuck on the carriages in the shunting yard, worrying about when they were going to have to serve the meals.
It was like coming home - and it was so good to settle back into our seats and await dinner. Of which, more next time.
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no subject
Date: 26/05/2011 10:00 pm (UTC)Scotland is on my to do list!! I hope to get to Edinburgh someday.
no subject
Date: 26/05/2011 10:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 26/05/2011 10:11 pm (UTC)Those are great steam engine photos, just the sort of thing you'd like in a calendar.
no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 07:25 am (UTC)I'm happy with those steam train shots, and I notice that they are getting a few hits over on Flickr.
no subject
Date: 26/05/2011 11:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 07:31 am (UTC)Edinburgh is a lovely city - and the window must have been a real centre-piece when the station was opened - now the large open area beneath it has a Costas Coffee outlet, complete with its own 'roof' sitting under it, and I don't expect many people look up to see what is 30 feet or more above their heads.
no subject
Date: 26/05/2011 11:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 07:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 26/05/2011 11:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 07:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 01:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 07:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 02:30 am (UTC)- Erulisse (one L)
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Date: 27/05/2011 07:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 04:37 am (UTC)And one of these days I'm going to have to make it to Edinburg. So pretty!
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Date: 27/05/2011 07:40 am (UTC)Edinburgh is a rather beautiful city, well worth the visit.
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Date: 27/05/2011 06:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 07:43 am (UTC)Costas was not exactly on our 'must do' list for the trip...
By the way - are the squirrels still there, or have they all gone?
no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 08:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 11:57 am (UTC)I love that fountain, and it is so close to all the main shops - and yet I bet a lot of visitors never see it.
no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 09:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 12:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 02:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 06:21 pm (UTC)Scotland is a very beautiful country, perhaps you'll make it some day.
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Date: 27/05/2011 03:02 pm (UTC)Those ladies on the fountain are sirens. Like her: http://www.deadprogrammer.com/starbucks-logo-mermaid
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Date: 27/05/2011 06:26 pm (UTC)Edinburgh is a fascinating city - the old town and the new town (the new town was designed and built in the late eighteenth century - new is a relative term!!) are very different, with the gardens dividing them, and the main train line running at the back of the gardens.
no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 03:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 06:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 08:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 27/05/2011 09:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 28/05/2011 08:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 28/05/2011 10:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 28/05/2011 10:57 am (UTC)It's ages since I've been to Edinburgh. My ex & I used to go regularly with my parents to the Festival. Happy times!
How long
didwere you supposed to have there?I love the blossoms, and the round window, and the cherubs below, and I really, really love the mermaids! I've saved them for future possibilites... Of course, my first thought was Middle-earth, but now I'm thinking, "Draco and a mermaid... Hmmm..." ;-)
ETA: I once sketched a Wedgewood Triton who had similar legs/tail. Maybe it's a convention that's died out.
ETA again: http://archive.liveauctioneers.com/archive4/skinnerinc/23589/0164_1_lg.jpg
Though I like the mermaids' sinuous tails better.
no subject
Date: 28/05/2011 11:16 am (UTC)We should have had a little over 4 hours in Edinburgh - not quite enough to go to the National Museum of Scotland, which I really like.
The mermaids are gorgeous, aren't they? Ukimikisani says they are probably, technically, sirens - like the original Starbucks logo.
They would fit into a ME story involving the sea...
And Draco/Mermaid too!
ETA - I think I like the mermaids' sinuous tails better, too.
no subject
Date: 28/05/2011 12:43 pm (UTC)What classic shots of Edinburgh! Absolutely exquisite. As for the squirrels... they probably were drowned by the shameless ducks when they tried to point out the no bathing signs!
no subject
Date: 28/05/2011 04:54 pm (UTC)What classic shots of Edinburgh!
Thank you. I think you may have uncovered what happened to the squirrels.
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Date: 28/05/2011 01:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 28/05/2011 04:59 pm (UTC)I've tried Googling the Princes Street Squirrels - and have found a photo taken last summer, but no mention of any effort to wipe them out. It has been a long hard winter - but even so, I would have thought if they'd been very hungry many of them could have survived on scraps even if fewer people were eating in the park... There were fewer than usual in the Museum Gardens in York, too.
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Date: 28/05/2011 08:25 pm (UTC)And what a fantastic ceiling! Especially to find in a place like a Costa.
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Date: 28/05/2011 08:55 pm (UTC)The Costa is just built inside what I think must have been some sort of waiting room - or possibly the original ticket hall or similar. But I'm guessing most people don't look up above the level of the roof of the Costa.
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Date: 31/05/2011 06:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 31/05/2011 08:41 pm (UTC)