Edinburgh

August 16

Early wake up and breakfast with parents. I had a couple of errands to run and a must see. Boots and the National Galleries of Scotland. I had to see the Titians from the Duke of Sutherland's Bridgewater collection, two of which he had asked the Scottish NG to purchase for 100 million pounds. They had just purchased one (Diana and Acteon) and have a few more years to raise 50 million pounds for the other (Diana and Calisto). Lighting was a problem as the natural light with the fluorescent light caused shadows on the canvasses so it certain aspects were not clearly visible. Shame as the canvasses are massive.

The Scottish collection should have pride of place as some of the canvasses are beautiful and not to be relegated to the basement, although I can understand it when they have to compete with Maestros Titian, Monet et al. Robert Burns the painter, incredibly vibrant art deco colours of Diana and her maidens; a fully embroidered canvas of Autumn; The Skating Minister by Raeburn(supposedly very famous so why haven't I come across the reference before?).

Outside the NGS the street artists were in full flow. One side of the building, a Peruvian pan pipe band with relaxing melodies, followed by Clanadonia, a Scottish pipe and drum band (NOT the regimental type either). On the other side, the jugglers, unicycle riders, magicians mix with vendor tents. Up the Royal Mile to see what the Fringe artists are advertising and came across the Worlds Most Pierced Lady. Talk about a sight not for the weak hearted. Her face was covered with piercing and dangles. From the scary to the sublime - further down the road the cast of "Faulty Towers'', three actors who were the epitomy of Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil and waiter Manuel. It was amazing how they pulled off the characters, even down to Basils walk and silly run. Would have loved to have made it to the show but when we tried to make bookings were told they were not performing that night.

Early dinner in the suite and same routine for bed as the next day we were off to the West Coast.

Lost in Scotland 09

Not Lost in Oman, but Lost in Scotland for the next few days

August 15.

Arrived in London for a day's wait for the 5.30 flight up to Edinburgh. Jeff arrived at T3 and me at T1, met by Saleem (bless him) and off to house to change, re pack and food. Napped for a hour (fatal) and made it down to lunch to find all kids around the dining table in kitchen. Had a couple of mouthfuls and then back up to finish packing and off to T5. Good run and arrive in plenty of time for the flight. Beeped going through security and had a thorough search by Ms Lesbo, any more feeling and I was going to ask her if we were now officially dating. Eventually after she had her fun coping a feel she got the electronic wand. I did have a loud grumble about her. We were lucky and able to get somebody to move so Jeff and I could sit together. Uneventful flight, other than bumpy descent.

Took an age for the luggage to appear which was strange considering it was not a busy airport, then a trundle down the pavement to the taxi rank to find no taxis in sight at all. The taxi marshall turned up and tried to hustle some taxis which arrived in singles and luckily we were the third in line. Half an hour or so later we were in the front of the Balmoral Hotel in Princes Street about to be photographed by a paparazzi before he realised we were not worth a shot. Little does he know. Ha ha!

On same floor as parents, which must be the smoking floor. Dinner of wild mushroom soup (delicious!) and omelette before retiring to bed to the sounds of festival goers out and about enjoying the festivities.