Train to Edinburgh

We got up at 5:30 in the morning and went down and had a quick breakfast before the Monogram host took us over to the King's Cross railroad station. He set us up at the first class rail lounge where we had free coffee and tea, water and cookies. We hung out there for awhile and then our bags were taken and we were given seats on the train.

It was a four and a half hour train ride from London to Edinburgh. We were in first class and sat across from a very nice American couple from Louisiana whom we talked with off and on during the trip. We all dozed a little bit for part of the trip. We had a light lunch and I had a Hop on Board golden ale from Rudgate Brewery brewed especially for the rails.

As we headed north through England we saw lots of sheep and farm land. When we were approaching Newcastle we began to see spectacular views of the coast and beaches which continued as we entered Scotland. We could also see many beautiful buildings and castles around Durham. There was a lot of talk on the train about golf and a few of the passengers were taking golf tours to St. Andrew's.

We arrived at the Edinburgh train station and we me by our Monograms host wearing a green kilt. After we got our luggage our host who was a little manic and crazy yelled and demanded that everyone in the group all carry our heavy luggage up two large flights of steps leading out of the train station. I struggled with mine and Becky couldn't carry hers so she waited at the bottom of the steps for me to come back down for her luggage but the guide host took pity and carried Becky's luggage up the steps. What were they expecting from a group of older tourists making us carry our luggage up those steps. 

We got outside and it was cold and windy as we boarded a tour bus that we were expecting to take us to our hotel. Instead, he announced that we would be going on a tour of Edinburgh.