Travel-Trails

View from the Train, leaving the Edinburgh Waverly train station -- The Water Tower flying the American and Scotland flags.

The cottage & water Tower where we will be staying as guests of Susan & Gerry Goldwyre shown hear preparing for a welcome champagne toast.

Once we were off the cruise ship, we travelled by limo to King's Cross Train Station in London. We boarded the 12:00 train called The Highland Chieftain which made several stops on its trip from London to Inverness. It was a 4 1/2 hour train trip from London to Edinburgh Waverly station. The scenery is beautiful and pastoral as the train travels at over 100 mph. Fields of grasses, hay bales, sheep, cattle and small villages all among the green rolling hills. You think you could be somewhere in the USA until you see the old buildings and farms. In the major cities there is more modern architecture among the old. Many old stone walls and bridges.

The sun is out as the train travels at the high speed through the countryside. We arrive at a town which is right at the border of Scotland and England--Berwick-upon-Tweed. Here there is a famous ancient Roman style bridge that you can see as the train comes into the bend and then uses that bridge to cross the river. After this crossing, we are in Scotland and the train travels within sight of the coastline of the North Sea. So much I could describe to you about the sights - what a beautiful country! I know you'll be reading more later about it so I'll stop here for now.

Gerry & Susan are waiting as the train pulls into the Edinburgh Waverly station. It is so great to see them and feels like we just saw them -- can't believe it has been over 16 months! With all of our luggage, they needed to bring two cars. Gerry takes the luggage in his car and Steve and I join Susan for the drive to their home.

Susan gives a quick tour down The Royal Mile and then off to Dalkeith where they live. We see from the window of the car the famous volcanic remains called Arthur's Seat and lots of people climbing this mountainous formation. Guess what - so will we Susan tells us :-)

When we arrive, we finally get to see The Water Tower and Cottage that Gerry & Susan have told us and showed us pictures. It is even more lovely than we could have pictured. We get the grand tour and then a champagne toast. Gerry cooks up a lovely dinner and we sit out in the garden overlooking the hillside as the sunsets catching up on making plans. An absolutely delightful start to our visit. We couldn't have found better friends or a more lovely place in Scotland!