Scotland - Thursday and Friday (Rosslyn Chapel & Home))

Thursday 12 October, 2017

High on our list 'to visit' was also Rosslyn Chapel, south of Edinburgh and still within easy reach by bus.  Actually, it was quite a pleasant trip as it showed us the outer suburbs of Edinburgh and a bit of the country.  We stepped off the bus at Roslin village.  It didn't take too long, but I am sure it would have been a lot shorter by car as the bus seems to stop every 100m or so.  Patricia commented: "We wouldn't even be allowed to place our geocaches so close!"  :-)  But, as I said, it was not unpleasant at all.

As usual I can't help but take a few pictures on the way:

In Edinburgh walking to the next bus stop

A new housing estate somewhere along the route

A crow on top of the bus stop next to my window

a restaurant in Roslin village

At the chapel we had a look around in the gift shop, as you do, and there I found my Scotland souvenir: a pin cushion embroidery kit with the stylised picture of a rose, the type that is carved in stone.

Next we walked over to the chapel, and if we weren't already blown over outside, we certainly were inside.  The carvings in stone were phenomenal and many.  As the chapel was built in the 15th century, at a time when many people couldn't read or write, the carvings told the stories.

We were not allowed to take pictures inside, but I have taken a few photographs of available information at the gift shop.

One more thing to be said about the chapel is, that not only has it been quite well-known for some time, but the filming of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, has attracted more visitors than ever before, and another reason for a visit was, that Patricia is working on a paper model of the chapel as well.

painting of the chapel being built

example of the stone carvings

view onto the valley

pictures of the interior carvings

We had our picnic lunch on a bench in the grounds of the chapel and a cup of coffee at the coffee shop (part of the gift shop). On the way back, near the road signs, we found a cache as well:

#1759 - Lest we forget - Roslin

After that we walked back to the bus stop and chatted with a few other tourists, mainly from America, because the wait for the bus was a long one.  (The first one didn't turn up.)

The type of bus we travel on here

In town we had to change busses again in Princes Street and on our walk we felt like an icecream, so we sat down and enjoyed a quiet moment.  We didn't get fish and chips, but this was what the sign said:

However, the iceceam was excellent too, very creamy! Yummy.

When nearing our accommodation I finally got the change to take pictures of the unit again.  The first lot didn't happen, because of my camera problems.

The third balcony up on the right

If I remember I will take a few pictures of the interior later, but not too many, as it is not my own house...

Friday 13 October, 2017

As today was a rest day again we didn't do a lot.  Some reading and a few sudokus and that was about it.  In the afternoon we went out for a walk.  Patricia was going to check out the shops at Fountain Park, which appeared to be not shops but a gym.  I walked across to Gorgie road, walked quite a long bit of it, with the intention to walk all the way to the city and take the bus back, but it was quite warm and I wasn't dressed for it, nor did I have the right shoes for long distance walking, so I thought the better of it.  Walked to the canal instead, and nearly walked into Patricia who was on her way home.  We walked to the canal together and made our way home from there.  I definitely was not wearing the right clothes as the sleeves of my jacket were soaking wet inside!

the path along the canal