Other highlights of week 1

This is my fourth time in Edinburgh (1981, 1987, 1993, 1997). I think it gets better with time (as do we). Noticeable and notable improvements:

1) Wicked good transit. This machine is at our local stop and tells us which bus is coming and when. The Lothian Buses app is brilliant; Scott was our fearless techie who got us on the right bus every time. You can track where you are on your route and everything!

2) Crazy good assortment of things to see and do, and everything is WELL-STAFFED WITH SMILING, KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE. 

Awesome hop on/hop off tours. 

Deck looking at tearoom of the Brittania. 

We had a delicious lunch there. 

Detail of a doorway in St. Margaret's Chapel at Edinburgh Castle. 12th century!!!

Centuries-old prison at the castle. They had to expand the space over the years. 

The beautiful open gallery at the National Museum. There are vast rooms off this with more than you can see in one day. It's designed for all ages, so there are many interactive exhibits. 

We also went and toured the underground vaults at "The Real Mary King's Close", which was a guided tour led by an actor in the role of a 16th century timber merchant by day/bailey by night. Alas, no photos were allowed, so you have to trust that it was VERY COOL  and spooky and fascinating. 

3) Way improved mod cons:

In Mary King's Close, we saw the pride and joy of a member of the wealthier class--his THUNDER BOX, aka his biffy. Basically it was a wooden box with a hole  on the top.  

Here's a thunder box in Jamie Oliver's restaurant. That's the handle to flush in the middle of the tank. 

Of course the brand of toilet delighted us. 

4) Food quality and variety--delicious and nutritious!  There's a good effort underway to educate people about what they're eating. Makes it way better for this diabetic. 

5) General beauty at every turn. 

In the words of our cousin Hester White, "Oh Edinburgh, you are so beautiful!  I do love you so!"