Mike found out that the George was constructed out of 5 consecutive row houses. That’s the extent of our historical knowledge thus far…
June 15, 2013
12:26 AM
So exhausted that we broke down and took a nap (with a wake up call at 9 PM Greenwich time-I think that’s our time zone). We started looking for a place to eat after a drink in the lovely hotel bar. Good vodka tonic (Mike), interesting Italian Chardonnay (me)… And by interesting I mean watery and not really Chardonnay.
Even on Friday night in happening Edinburgh, it’s hard to find food after 10 PM. This is reminiscent of trying to find food between 2 and 5 PM in Spain. Mike and I haven’t traveled extensively but we have managed to establish a few traditions, one of which is always being hungry and seeking sustenance when it’s not available. We began this practice 18 years ago in Ireland by trying to eat between 3 and 5 when pub grub is no longer available and no one is open for dinner…
Tonight we ended up at (wait for it)… The Hard Rock Edinburgh. Uh, huh. Very few people eating–some stragglers in the bar. Next door was a major club with a long line of 20 somethings queuing to get in. We could tell we weren’t going to meet the age/cool requirement just by looking at the line. So Hard Rock it was and the burgers and sandwich were fine, not exactly Scottish fare but we’d shared a Ploughman’s earlier. For those of you not addicted to Brit lit, that’s a traditional pub lunch of bread, cheese, meats, and pickled things, served on a bread board. Very good actually.
Before we left the hotel we noticed several high school age girls wandering around the lobby in what Americans would recognize as prom attire. It was the Ross High School Prom and much like ours with a DJ and light show. The big differences? The boys were in kilts (very handsome) and many of the tables had glasses of wine and beer. Yup, the drinking age here is 18 so students who have reached majority can drink, even at the prom. I’m sure they never buy a drink or offer a sip to underage friends…
Tomorrow is the bus tour and I’m hoping for sun as it’s a double decker with an open air top level.
travels without fiona (the dog) 
Love your blogs!!!
Yeah! My first comment!
Reading your entries out loud to Bob, who in an understatement, noted “She’s a really good writer.” I realized he’s mostly experienced your verbal wit.
Thanks for letting us armchair travel with you.
Fiona, who is not traveling with you, is napping peacefully beside me after playing with her elephant.
I miss the little dog! Take a look at my Gravatar (kind of like a profile picture).
I saw the gravatar and loved her look!! She’s been so good. Went on errands with us today. So good in her car seat. I’ve been trying to care for Lois (Steph and Ellis out of town). We are wedding crafting.