Day 10 - Galashiels, Edinburgh and Moffat 21/9

Woke early this morning in a panic about a few things. Will I have enough time at the airport between flights tomorrow.  An hour and a half doesn't seem to be enough. Other flights just won't work so I'm going to just have to risk it.

That's not the scratch - it was much harder to see

This wasn't the biggest hurdle I faced today. It was when I dropped the car off at the Edinburgh car rentals place - there was  a long scratch down one side of the car. I hadn't noticed it until then - the car was quite dirty and it wasn't very deep - but definitely there. It cost a lot of money as a standard amount. 650 pounds +VAT (20% GST equivalent)  I just hope my insurance covers most of it.


After this disappointment, I caught a bus into town and went checking times and cost of buses and trains out to Moffat - my destination for the night. The train seemed best as it was quicker and allowed more time to explore the Castle.

Part of the Castle taken from inside

What a castle it was. I arrived just in time to watch and hear the one o'clock gun go off. Not sure what it was about because I couldn't understand the guy who was talking about it. I loved watching the crowd around me dutifully raising their phones in a silent salute to the event. I did too. It was the only way I could see. I hope I caught it on film - I must confess I haven't checked - but I did hear it alright. Still hear it ringing in my ears now 11 hours later.

The castle was a wee ripper. Aye. Plenty to see. Plenty of history. Plenty of views over an interesting town. Plenty of good photos.

View of part of the old city

Arthur's Seat and in the foreground Edinburgh
getting ready for the Tattoo

As I said I caught the train down past Moffat to a town called  Lockerbie - a place made famous by a bombed passenger plane hitting it in the late 1990s.



Bob and Sheila McGovern have been great hosts and we have been up late sharing stories about our lives and eating a great three course meal with wine and champagne.

An early start in the morning. Wish me luck at Gatwick.