Blue Sky Day

Arthur's Seat

Today was a terrific day to get outside. And, plenty of people did because of the perfect blue sky warm weather, the fact that it is a Saturday when most are off from work, the fact that it is a Bank Holiday weekend (official holiday), and the fact that the UK is celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Whatever the reason, people were outside; so were we.

Mike directed his daily exercise walking energy toward the highest point in Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat. This former volcano is now a 600+ foot hill of mostly rocks offering spectacular views across Edinburgh to the coast. He was hill walking. Although no certainty exists regarding the name, one leading theory is that the Arthur's Seat name is from the Scots Gallic phrase "Àrd-na-Said," which means "height of arrows." This is one of the "you haven't really visited Edinburgh unless" type of places.

The afternoon was spent leisurely strolling around the Royal Botanic Garden; a picnic lunch was included.  And, on the way back to the flat, you guessed it, we made another stop at the grocery store. We have stopped counting the number of those trips. We have started carrying a small day pack and a small shopping bag with us pretty much everywhere we go, just for this purpose.