London Landings

Flew into Heathrow and thought we would have a struggle to get into London to our flat, but our host had given great instructions and the underground was seamless. Our little studio flat in Lambeth North is beautiful and well positioned for everything. A quick cuppa and we are off exploring - only a short walk to the Thames and South Bank and all those stereotypical views of London. An early night.

We booked theatre tickets on the net and have to pick them up at Piccadilly Circus - onto the underground again, we have Oyster cards (underground passes - top up and swipe)  and they are quick and easy to use. Into town and a quick pickup then a wander around the area; Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, St Martins in the Field and the Queens Horse Guards - people, buskers, traffic and experience overload - it's time for home.

That night we headed back in by Underground and then it's a two minute walk to the theatre for Jersey Boys - of course we were in the nose bleed stalls but it was great, great music and great storyline.

It was still bustling when we came out and so we decided on a walk home across the Jubilee bridge, past the London Eye, Big Ben and all the beautiful buildings lit up and through South Bank and Waterloo to the studio. A busy but great day and evening.

Headed off to chase Toni's misspent childhood travelling the world with her folks. First off Dunfirmline, where Kerri was born; quite a nice place with a brilliant park, churches, abbey and castle. Couldn't find the right hospital as they are all obviously more modern than 50 years.

Next to Cowdenbeath - Church Road near the pit gates - still there and when a lady parked us in- funny Ross didn't call her a lady - of course until he chatted to her - then it turns out her daughter lives in the flat next to the one Toni's family lived in 52 years ago. So we got the goss and she invited us to have a look down the backyard. Cowdenbeath is much smaller than Dunfermline and a lot tougher - can't imagine how hard it was all those years ago. Found the Glen that mum and I used to walk too - the only thing I remember of those days - vaguely anyway.

Time to cheer Ross up so we headed to St Andrews - and you wouldn't pick it but the course is open to the public on Sundays - so off we went walking around the course - the road hole, super deep sand traps and special bridges - Ross was beside himself and even had to try the grass on the 18th hole - the verdict - sweet. A lovely town with a university, abbey and castle ruins - very picturesque beaches and surrounds.

The next day was a trip into Edinburgh again and a wander around Grey friars - anyone in their 50s would remember Greyfriars Bobby - the Disney tear jerker that reduced our household to copious amounts of flood works every time. Fabulous cemetery and rubbed Bobby's nose as well - they must have filmed in the area because it was just like the movie.

Just up the road is the Elephant Cafe where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter for coffee and then back to the Royal Mile to checkout the oldest houses in Edinburgh.

Out to tea to the Kings Wark  in Leith, within a 5 minute walk of our flat. Seafood soup for Toni and Scottish Angus for Ross.

Hiya Edinburgh

The general Scottish greeting is "hiya" and you hear it absolutely everywhere from all types  and ages. A generic gidday.

We headed south east towards Edinburgh and passed through quite a few villages; Dunblane with its beautiful Cathedral and famous for Andy Murray through to Stirling with its Castle and William Wallace memorial.

Falkirk with it's amazing Kelpies Sculpture - 30 metres high and weighing in at 300 tonne each - spectacular in all weathers - a celebration of the horses historical contribution to Britain.

A few miles along the canals and we found the Falkirk Wheel - an engineering extravaganza that moves canal boats from one level to another- the boats drive into the dock and then the whole thing rotates and deposits the boats at the other point, up or down.

We drove into Edinburgh arriving a bit late - forgot it was Friday before a long weekend and the traffic was slow, into our new flat - lovely but obviously a flat and not a home. It overlooks the canal and in the evening we can sit in the lounge and watch seagulls, swans and ducks all swimming around and feeding while we have a wine. As it doesn't get dark until 10:30 we have plenty of time.

We went for a walk down around the dock area and found some very flash restaurants - quite a few with Michelin stars but decided on curries instead. Ross made me walk for miles to find the Britannia.

The next day we caught a bus into town, a walk through the Farmers Markets and onto Edinburgh castle. We just caught the 1o'clock gun salute, frightened the bejesus out of us and took the audio tour of the compound, learning lots of interesting facts about the castle and the military background  of the place. You can see for miles and all over the new town and old town as well as the docks and lots of historical buildings.

Wandered the Royal Mile or as Ross calls it - the Royal 1760 yards, through all the touristy shops, passed a wedding with a piper, down to Holyrood Palace and then it was a bus trip home. A full day.