6 August - Edinburgh

 What an amazing day today was. Everyone got up nice and early, and we set off for Edinburgh, We took the scenic route, so that we could pass through a border town, where there is a rock. On one side of the rock, it said England and on the other side it said Scotland. Everyone jumped out and excitedly posed for photos with the rock. Josh asked me for his passport, as he thought he needed it to enter Scotland. As we continued on our route from Newcastle to Edinburgh, we passed some lovely old cottages and buildings made in stone. The English countryside is really pretty.
Our route was mapped out by the tomtom- which was fine until we hit Edinburgh itself. Instead of selecting the fastest route, i may have touched shortest route, which took us right into the city centre. In the centre they were laying what appeared to be new tramlines, so lots of roads were closed, and there were no clear diversions in place. It was a bit of a nightmare, but after navigating the city for what seemed like forever we found the zoo.
Edinburgh zoo is built into the side of a hill. which means you dont just walk for miles but you do it uphill :). We had a little look around the zoo when we first arrived and then we went on a pre-booked panda viewing.  Last year the Edinburgh zoo was given two giant pandas by the chinese government. Because it was pouring with rain, the Pandas were inside, but we were still able to see them. They were both asleep but they were gorgeous. After the viewing we spent a few hours walking around the zoo looking at all the animals. Our favourites were the big cats- well the jaguar in particular. /he was wide awake and walking around. At one point he came out to where we were standing and showed his teeth. After that he started roaring/purring - it was amazing.
Following the zoo we again tried to navigate the city with the tom-tom. Perhaps it would have been easier if all the roads were open, but they were not. We quickly became lost again, as we attempted to find our way to a carpark near the castle and near the dungeons. At one point i was in the wrong lane at traffic lights. Concentrating on getting into the right lane, i noticed that the car in that lane was trying to enter my lane. So i crept forward slightly with my indicator on. As i did this the car in front of me, started to take off, so without thinking, i followed it and pulled into my lane. Oh my gosh! i was halfway across the intersection when i realised that the light had not changed and was still red. i had no choice but to continue on what i had started- and it was ok. Nerve wracking but ok!
We eventually found a carpark and wondered off towards the dungeons. On our way to the dungeons, we came across street performers, here we saw the worlds most flexible man, who was amazing.
Alan was a little tired so me dominique and him went in a pub and had some grub, whilst we waited for josh, dillon and shirley who had gone into the edinburgh dungeons. As we waited we had scrummy hamburgers and chips. When it came time to leave and head up towards the tattoo the skies opened. There was no thunder and lightning today, but it bucketed down. We were a little more prepared than yesterday, but all we had was ponchos and one umbrella between six of us. After a few minutes of walking we discovered some shops that had umbrellas. So off we went towards the tattoo. Also on in Edinburgh at the moment is the fringe comedy festival. Lots of young people were in the street promoting the festival. We came across one young boy, standing with his umbrella up, top on, and jeans down around his ankles. We all looked at him and laughed. One of his friends came and joined him and started to undo his pants. Dillon decided that he couldnt just sit and watch so he went and stood beside them, and began to undo his pants. I was like oh my, and tried to back away- my auntyu shirley did the same, accept that she backed into a bollar, fell over backwards and pummelled her face into the concrete. she had a massive lump on her head. the poor boy in his undies thought it was his fault and tried to run over to her (with his jeans still around his ankles). First aid people also came running over. She tried to insist that she was ok, ad was going to the tattoo. She was taken to a first aid tent, and checked out. after that she continued on with us in the pouring rain upto the tattoo. we teased her all night about hurting her head cos she was admiring the boys standing in the street in their boxers! toooo funny!
The tattoo was amazing, there were all different kinds of performers. At one point a fighter jet, zoomed above the stadium, as part of the show. Words would never do the tattoo any justice, but it really was incredible.