UK Vacation: Day 5

Bright and early on a Monday morning, Hubby and I lugged our suitcases to the Tube once again, this time destined for London's King Cross Train Station. We had a train to catch at 10:00 am to Edinburgh, Scotland! We arrived early enough that we could have breakfast at Plum + Spilt Milk before we left.

Plum + Spilt Milk was the fanciest restaurant we ate at during our entire trip. It was more difficult than usual for a vegetarian to find something to eat here. My nerves were also a little on edge, so unfortunately, I did not entirely enjoy this meal.

The entire train situation was kind of a nightmare from beginning to end. I had thought that I had booked everything correctly, but in the end we discovered that we did not have reserved seating. We ended up separated (but in the same car) for the entire 5+ hour train ride while we watched people fight over seating or standing space. The overbooking of this train was to a level we had never seen before (it reminded me of the steerage compartment on the Titanic). We will never ride LNTR trains again unless we have first-class guaranteed seating. Once we got to Edinburgh, we waited for quite awhile as the staff tried to figure out how to open the luggage car. Apparently they had locked themselves out. Yeah, that was awesome. The only silver lining from this experience was the young Scottish man I sat next to, who was more than willing to tell me all about the tiny village outside Aberdeen he grew up in. 

We arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland around 3:30 pm and walked to the "The Guest Room," a small bed and breakfast located in "New Town." 

The newest building in "New Town" is 200 years old!

The husband and wife who run this tiny bed and breakfast were supremely kind and helpful. They were available to answer questions, when needed, but also honored our privacy. I would stay there again, no question!

We relaxed in our room for awhile before venturing out for dinner. You will never guess what we found? The best Mexican food we have had since leaving Arizona at a place called "The Basement"! Are you kidding me? We had to travel 5,000 miles...to Scotland...to get good Mexican food? We also discovered Swedish hard cider, which makes all other US cider seem sad and disappointing. The wait staff were tremendously kind and this was a wonderful first Scottish experience!

Hubby and I, the elderly "early birds," who had the whole place to ourselves.

Step Count: 8,001