So tonight's blog is going to be picture filled but not too much words because I have
T  H  I  S    M  U  C  H   S  T  U  F  F to fit inthismuchspace  in my suitcase : )  Ahhh, yearning for the days when you could check 2 bags for free- I mean I have a month's worth of stuff to bring back (thankfully Julie took a bit home so it's not 6 weeks of stuff).

Check back in a few days for more- I'm going to do my top 5 list from each section of my trip (with pictures of course).  If you've been following along you can see if you agree with my top 5 pics!

Today started off a little bumpy because we went to the Queen's Palace, Holyrood.  The lack of line and the over abundance of security should have been our first clue.  Prince Charles and Camilla were in residence because he is opening up the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow tomorrow.  No entry allowed.  Bummer.  He didn't want to invite us in for morning tea so that plan got scratched.  We asked the guard if Charles would like to come out and take a group photo with us but he said the Prince was more of a selfie kinda guy  : )

We headed across the street instead to see Parliment.  It's a really modern building.  We got to go into the debate room.  They also had an exhibit of embroidered panels that told the history of Scotland.  It was amazing.

After that we were on our own- and it was only like 10:30/11.  What to do, what to do?  SHOP of course!  If you know me, then you know it's probably one of my least favorite things to do but seeing as it was my last day in Scotland (maybe forever) I indulged.  I mean, there could be something I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT!  : )   So as I headed back up the Royal Mile I zig zagged back and forth across the street going from this shop to that shop.  Indeed, there were things that I couldn't resist.  My restraint was not very good- having pounds in my pocket and the prospect of taking home a bit of Scotland proved to strong to resist.  I even had to stop and drop a bag off at the hotel after an especially generous donation to the economy.  On my way back out, I stopped for a sandwich- cheese and pickle.  I tell you, I have found a new favorite.  I LOVE THEM.  Not sure what the brownish pickle relish is or if I could find it at home but I'm going to have to try.  I loved people watching as I ate, sitting on the steps of a monument.  Life is good.  I walked around a bit getting pictures, exploring and more shopping of course.  The best stop of the day was St. Giles Cathedral.  It was a little dark and in need of a good cleaning on the outside but inside- wowsa!  It was great.  To make it an even better experience there was a kids' band/orchestra playing.  Wonderful to sit and listen to them and take it all in.  I especially enjoyed the Chapel of the Knights of Thistle.  It was STUNNING.  It wasn't very large and the sun was shining in brightly so it was a little hard to take pictures but I managed a few good ones.  It's the private chapel of the Knights of the Thistle (the only Scottish chivalric order).  They use it about once a year to inaugurate new members.  Scotland recognizes its leading citizens by bestowing upon them a membership- the Queen presides of the ritual.

Sad to leave Scotland in the morning.  There's tons more to see and it's been a wonderful time.  The weather even cooperated for us.  No rain!  I've actually gotten a sunburn the last 2 days!!

So much for only writing a little!


Thanks a lot Charles....

The outside of parliment

 My lunch.  Yum, yum

You can even see the sea in this one.  Love the bird on the statues head!

St. Giles Cathedral- it was very hard to pick pictures, so indulge me.  :)

The concert

The chapel

I saw these and thought well, these can't be original from the early 1900's.  Who got into the play doh and added them up there?  They seemed a bit out of place amongst the grand, highly detailed wood carving and ornate ceiling.  I asked a nice gentlemen about them and he said that it represents what is on their crest.  Sure enough, I looked at the metal crests mounted in each "stall" and it matches.  Take a look at the picture below to confirm for yourself.  (I still think the rainbow is a little hooky).