Britannia rules the waves

Royal Yacht Brittania

Pulling a Fosters on
Royal Yacht Brittania

Great Gallery at
 National Museum of Scotland

My favourite, the Fettercain Jewel

Lewis Chessman, much easier
to see here than the scrum at British Museu,

National Museum of Scotland 

Looking down the Royal Mile

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura, I nearly fell over here
it felt like the floor moved
but it may have been the lights!

The smell of salt air hits us and we know we are getting close, monster sized sea gulls are flying around and there it is, the Royal Yacht Britannia. Get the tickets out, take the fast track lane please ladies and in we go to start at the top on the bridge. Photos in the captains chair, steady as she goes, we have created a mini roadblock as now everyone wants photos in the chair. Onwards and down a level we go, Captains quarters, Queens bedroom with beautiful silk bed head, Phillips bedroom, galleys, the state dining room (my fav) I feel like I am in an episode of The Crown. Everything is just as it was designed in 50’s right down to the silk embroiled bedhead in the Queens room.

Whats this on the side deck a Rolls Royce, right that is just too much, it was not used in later years as it was easier to get a car at the destination. All the walls are filled with lovely family photos of everyone enjoying cruises it looks like a holiday boat. Now we get to the officers mess, whats that on the fan? A stuffed wombat. Apparently, a favourite game of the officers was Wombat tennis, turn on the fan and the wombat flys, chaos ensues. The officers also have a bar with Fosters on tap, there is dress up clothes. Will we do it, of course we will, Jane goes first, hat on, jacket on, corgi under arm pull a beer or two. Now its my turn, this pose, that, now we have created a mini-frenzy and everyone wants to do it. Outside to see the Bloodhound the yacht that Charles and Anne learnt to sail on and then lets just go up to the Royal Tea Deck for some pampering and lunch. Egg sandwiches, Lemon drizzle cake, Dundee cake, Which tea will I have, hmm, Scotch Earl Grey sounds interesting, earl grey with a touch of heather. Verdict, delicious. Time to exit via the gift shop.

The Hop on hop off bus delivers us back to the Royal Mile and its time to split up I am off to the National Museum of Scotland to meet Dolly the sheep. Will I use google maps, or will I guess? Lets just keep walking and see how we go the sunshine is delightful on all the old buildings and tourists are thronging the streets moving from one attraction to the next.

I make it here easily and have a plan for the museum.  Glad I do as it is way bigger than I expected. Lets get lift to the top and make my way down, the rooftop terrace has magic views of the castle, then is on to explore, Arthurs seat coffins, a whisky still as big as the steam train next to it - they really do like their whisky, Bonnie Prince Charles picnic set, Queen Mary’s jewels and on and on. But my favourite has to be the Fettercain Jewel a pendant with intricate design with the god of Mercury, flowers and butterflies it has a mystery code that experts are still trying to puzzle out.

The days never see to end in Scotland, onto Camera Obscura which they describe as fairground fun meets 21st-century tech, its a lot of fun and they even have a ladder that goes to Australia. I enjoy getting my head chopped off and nearly falling over on the final ride.

Now its time to meet Jane and we finally get into the Worlds End pub to enjoy their famous fish and chips. Served by an Irish guy who no one can understand as his accent is too thick. Too funny.

Weather update: Today was the hottest recorded day in 20 years in Scotland, Scallywag set the record with 31 degrees.