Adventures of Seabelle

Up, last breakfast at the B&B, pack and I’m off by bus to the City Central Bus Station to get the bus to Cellardyke.  Quite a lovely trip through the city, to the outskirts, across the Firth of Forth into Fife.  Alongside the narrow, winding road we travel down, we pass fields with horses, sheep, farmland, and get glimpses of the sea.  We pass through beautiful villages to Anstruther Harbour and then Cellardyke. 

A pic for Siobhan.

Pretty shops in Elie.

I had been told to get off the bus at the Toll Rd.  I do and wonder ‘Where the hell am I?’.  I asked a fellow I see working on a house.  He directs me down the hill, and turn left at the bottom onto John Street.  When I see ‘The Golden Lion’

’ Chinese restaurant I know where I am - thanks to google maps!

Down John Street….

…to my home away from home…’The Doocot’.

Elegant and cozy!

The mesmerizing view from the bedroom window.

After aquick look around, it’s off to the pub for some lovely leek and potato soup.  Back to apt. to change and off to the bus to go to Colinsburgh for a concert.  I journey into a magical night of twists, turns, warmth, music and new friends.

To begin.  I am not sure where to get off the bus, so I am keenly watching the trip and keep checking off the stops on my bus schedule.  I ponder asking the woman seated across the aisle, who got on the bus a few stops after me in Anstruther but can’t catch her eye.  Ok. I think this is the stop - the other lady gets off here. I ask the driver if it is Colinsburgh - yes - and I am off too.  The lady heads one direction, I go the other.  At a petrol station I inquire as to where the library is - I went the wrong direction.

I find the library and upon entering, explain that I am here for the concert, but I am going to slip to the pub for a bite first.  The fellow replies that the pub doesn’t serve at this time of day.  A second fellow looks at me and says, ‘Follow me.’  On the way he says that he is Peter and explains that he is taking me to his home for dinner.  His wife and a friend are there and he hopes I don’t mind friendly dogs.  All I can do is giggle and race to keep up with him.

At his home, I walk in and the first person I see is the lady from the bus!  I am introduced to Marion (Howie), and Lindsey and told to take a seat and poured a glass of wine.  After finding out that I am from PEI, Marion says that she just bought a PEI Fiddlers Music Book (she is a fiddler and Lindsey is learning).  I explain that my husband plays guitar for Richard Wood - just too coincidental!  She is also an amazing quilting artist - beautiful pieces hanging on the walls! 

After a great meal of roast veg & rice casserole and blackberry crumble, off we all go to the concert.  The concert is by a fellow that Gord & I met in the spring - King Creosote, with Pictish Trail as the opener.  (Why can’t these fellows have real names?) The night is funny, intimate, warm and magical.  I am the first to admit that the music is not everyones ‘cup of tea’, but there is something about KC’s songs that reveal the truth of the human experience - vulnerable, intimate, real, human.  In a live presentation the songs are set up in a charming, sometimes funny, always intimate manner and the songs themselves performed brilliantly with KC’s warm, rich voice set over sweetly, simple acoustic guitar work.  Heavenly!

After missing the last bus, Lindsey and I are told that a friend of theirs has set up a ride for us.  Out into snow for a quick ride back to Cellardyke and the end of a magical evening.  Off to bed…..still smiling.

Well, not feeling too spritely this morning, so after the Scottish breakfast I linger in my room straightening things up.  I don’t head out until one, first to walk the area and then take the bus downtown.

The weather is lovelyand sunny and the castle on the hill in the centre of the city looks so amazing.  I took lots of pics of it as the light changed throughout the afternoon.

The park area around the castle is captivating - so lovely to see green & blooms in November!

Such an imposing monument overlooking the city!

After I pulled myself away from the castle, I spent the afternoon browsing shops and viewing art in the National Gallery.  The Christmas Fair was getting set up, though no booths were open.  Some nice decorations about the city.

…at the Christmas Fair area.

Sunset in Edinburgh.

Harvey Nichols store - overdone for Christmas!

Popped into The Standing Order pub for a dinner of fish & chips and an ale.

Bus to ‘home’.  Night!

Tomorrow…on to visit The Kingdom of Fife!

I loved the course so much yesterday that I booked a lesson to learn to make a ring today.  I shared the class with Laura from Minn.  It was a great afternoon and I am really happy with the ring and the tips I learned from Emma.

My amazing ring!

After the class, I walked around the shops down Morningside St. - a lovely walk.

Decided to have an early dinner, so went to Papilio’s - Pollo Papilio’s - chicken  breast stuffed with spinach & cheese -  a great meal!  And I splurged on a dessert too.  Profiteroles - very good.

Tomorrow…downtown Edinburgh.

After my last post, I ventured down the street in search of dinner.  Walking past a wee cafe, I heard music…good music.  I went in and sat down and ordered a glass of wine.  The music was a duo on acoustic guitars, nice, accessable pop/folk music played by great players that remembered The Beatles - Kenny Herbert & Rab Howat.  Looking around, I noticed an impressive dinner menu - ordered the sea bream.  Best Meal I have had in a long time.  Sea Bream has the moist texture of trout, but it is white and not as sweet.  Soft flavour - potatoes on the bottom, layed with veggies, topped with fish and citrus relish, accented with bits of grapefruit on the side.  At the last mouthful, I was still closing my eyes to savour the flavour.

The folks at the next table asked me to join them - one of them was celebrating a birthday -  so I did and ordered another glass of wine.  Chatted with them and then they decided to go across to the Montpelier Bar - and as I am on vacay I went there too.  Enjoyed a Scotch.  Back to bed at the B&B smiling.

Sara, Shane, Donna, Pat, Gina & George - fun new friends!

I loved my workshop today!  To those that don’t know, a jewellery making workshop determined my coming to Edinburgh.  And it was so worth it!  I have loaded one picture of one item I made. 

Ah, Gord…I’m doing another workshop tomorrow.  Cheaper doing it now than coming back again, right?

I will take pics later of the other pieces.  Right now, I am going up the street for dinner.  Papilo’s or the Montpelier Pub?  Hmmm…  I’ll let you know!

Well, that was interesting.  After my last post, I decided to walk downtown to the Market.  Had a tasty pulled pork on a bun from ‘Oink!’  Then I thought I would walk along Princes Street - Rose Lane and George St.  After a bit, I wanted to rest, have a coffee or brew, but EVERY pub, cafe and restaurant was teeming with people!  So I walked for 7 hours, took the bus up to the area where the B&B is, found a little Italian restaurant and ate there.  Quite the fitness plan today!  But will my feet be usable tomorrow?

Now back in my B&B for the night.  Watch some tv.  Connect with everyone here.  I’ll try to load pics tomorrow am for all.

Tomorrow is my course day - should be fun!!

Just enjoyed my first Scottish breakfast at the B&B - juice, bacon, eggs, fried mushrooms, tomato, sausage, blood pudding, potato scone, toast and coffee - and that was after porridge, with yogurt and fruit!  Joined for breafast by a lovely young couple from Manchester.  If you like check out the Sandeman House B&B at sandemanhouse.co.uk    I am in the Terrace Room which overlooks the street not the terrrace!

Last night I walked around this area a bit, making sure I didn’t get lost in the dark. Lots of people about, and actually, the restaurants were all too busy for me to find a spot to sit in and eat.  I ended up buying a block of cheese, some crackers, fruit, water and, most importantly, a bottle of wine, at a local store and cozied up in my room, nibbling, watching tv and people walking on the street.

This morning Edinburgh is a little overcast and it did rain for a bit about a half hour ago.  I am off to discover the city today, beginning with the Farmer’s Market, which has been active for hundreds of years.  

Cheers for now!

Charlottetown - Toronto - London - to Edinburgh!

Have arrived safe & sound, though a little weary!  It was a sunny welcome here, but it is now dark.

Off to scout out the area - I’ll check back in soon!