Yesterday we came in around 4 o’clock so it was too late to visit the Royal Britannia. So we will do this today and hope we also can visit the castle of Edinburgh. One group went on to discover Leith and one group discovers Edinburgh. Some of the Dutch and Germans went together. It was quite easy to get Johannes (GE) in the wheelchair in the bus and the buses are coming every 10 minutes. In Edinburgh we all went up to the ‘hills’ in the city to the Edinburgh Castle. We are really lucky there is a music/theatre festival on. Everywhere is street-theatre and there were a lot of people in the streets, at the terraces and in the pubs. We had fish and chips and tried the local beers. Some people from Edinburgh could see that we are an international group and that gets them curious. They like to know why we are sailing on and about the International Youth Exchange.
This morning we all got, clean sheets and duvet covers and pillow cases. Jo, the medical purser on board is really busy all day with laundry. Before we can go ashore the British/ UK/ Scottish group will give a presentation about all the differences and the area’s they live. We couldn’t do that yesterday because we were busy at lunchtime to go true the locks and mooring the ship.
Jerry made special English- Sunday lunch and with an apple-crumble dessert! (mmmmmmm!)
Everybody is looking forward to explore Edinburgh today! So after happy hour of cleaning we all will go into town.
Sam (Ireland) about visiting Leith:
Reaching land for the first time in 5 days was interesting; it took a while to feel comfortable with being back on land. We had a great laugh in Leith. I went for pizza and a few beers with my fellow pirates! One of us had responsibilities and had to return to the ship to do ‘harbour watch’ while the others drank and sang in the local pubs` and stayed out much too late. They do not make a pretty picture this morning!
The UK gave a presentation
Mike (ENGLAND): LAURA (SCOTLAND) KATY (NORTHERN IRELAND)RUTH (ENGLAND)TIM (ENG) LESLEY (ENG) HANNAH (ENG) ALEX (ENG) CHRIS (ENG)
The British presentation attempted to demonstrate the cultural, political, and historical differences between the different countries and regions of the UK. We talked about the Nordic influences in the far north islands of the Orkneys and the Shetlands, to the Celtic traditions of Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Pictish Welsh, multi-cultralism of England and the political independence of the Isle of Man. The cities of Southampton, Belfast, London, Durham, Liverpool, Manchester and Winchester were represented.
Johanne (Dk)
After the British presentation we all went ashore. Some of us went to see the Royal Britannia the old royal yacht which was moored just behind us in the harbour. After that and after being lost a bit I went to Edinburgh. That was the middle of the afternoon and we went around enjoying the city. The way of building is very different from at home and Edinburgh is a very pretty City. What makes it just complete is to have the castle somewhere in your view all the time. Edinburgh is definitely a place to visit.