A throng of people in Edinburgh - 2 August

A relaxed breakfast before a tender into South Queensferry. We cannot get further into the Firth of Forth because the size of the Royal Princess prevents us passing under the Firth's bridges. We share a taxi with dinner mates Jim & Joanne (US) and Martin & Sharon (England) for the 10 mile trip into Edinburgh. 22C forecast (and it is quite humid). First few miles are very rural, then quickly into old Edinburgh.

We have been to Edinburgh before. It is a very pleasant city with such incredible history and architecture.  The city is absolutely jumping and the streets filled because it is the start of the Edinburgh Festival. There are literally dozens of shows on, morning, noon and night - everything from a Johnny Cash show, to the Ladyboys of Bangkok, to Jimoen. If you collected a flyer for every show as you walked down the Royal Mile, you would have accumulated a tree by its end.

We walked from the Castle down the Royal Mile, taking in a coffee,  across North Bridge St and along Princes St, stepping into various smaller streets. Pat had some shop time while I wandered through the Princes Street Gardens and watched a young negro New York choir in an improptu performance as they promoted their show.

Tracked down the X99 bus back to South Queensferry and dropped into the waterfront pub for a beer, only to run into Jim & Joanne. Shared some more time before tendering back.

Another very pleasant dinner (last table to leave -again!!!). Then off to tonight's show, Greg London, a Las Vegas performer of the year, with his impersonation show featuring Johnny Cash, Elton John, Rod Stewart etc, etc. Followed this one up with another performance by piano entertainer Kory Simon in the Vista Lounge.

Clocks back 1 hour tonight as we sail south on tomorrow's sea day.