End of Trip: Edinburgh and Abu Dhabi

About to sign off till our next trip in August.
On our last day in Edinburgh we visited The Mary King Close It is an underground area of houses that was created when the Royal Exchange was built. They constructed a new ground floor level with the Royal Mile. The houses that were underneath were simply closed off.
It provided an insight into life in a previous era and a good setting for ghost stories.

Having complained about the cold for weeks, despite being told constantly what a great day it was, we hit Abu Dhabi. Yes we complained that it is too hot.We achieved our plan. We had a good night's sleep after the first leg of our return flight, had several swims both in the hotel pools and the Arabian Sea and went to The Abu Dhabi Mall. All that is to do is have a few drinks before we go back to the airport for the final leg home.

Despite our weather complaints we were extremely fortunate. Six weeks of travel in Europe and Britain and we didn't need to put on our raincoats or hunt for our umbrellas even once! It is just as well that we packed them!

                                We enjoyed our several dips in the pools and sea.

Holyrood House Edinburgh

Sunday in Edinburgh. We slept in but were soon heading up the hill. We got about 100 metres before being sidetracked into a carpark basement. On level -4 there was a gigantic car boot sale. This is a major Sunday outing. It took ages to walk around. At first we only made small purchases but were seduced into purchasing a huge vase. Not sure how we will get it home!! We returned it to our hotel room, had a cup of tea and headed back up the street. We again got about 100 metres when we decided to stop for a Sunday lunch.
We did finally make it up to the high street and strolled down the hill towards the palace. On the way we stopped at two small quirky museums. The Children's museum was odd. It had all our toys in it! How could that be a museum? There were lots of toys as well that were very British but most of ours were when we were kids! The Edinburgh Museum had an eclectic range of items and didn't have a single focus. The items included silverware, items from Brig. General William Haig, part of the whisky family. To explore the museum you were up and down stairs around corners and this way and that! It was bits and pieces in every way but it was free!

                                                    Perhaps a little before our time!

                                                  Toby jugs in the Edinburgh Museum.

Our main destination was Holyrood House, the official residence of The Queen in Edinburgh. There were no photos inside the palace but it was excellent. The furniture, art works etc were wonderful. Some of the best rooms were Mary Queen of Scots Bedchamber and Anti Room complete with her bed etc, The Evening Drawing Room with the two thrones that had been made for King George V and Queen Mary. His throne was higher, not because of his importance, but because he was only short! The Dining Room was not as immense as some being set for 16 but can be extended for about 30. The Great Hall had the line of Stuarts depicted in paintings. They had been repaired from when the English damaged then. The Kings Bedchamber was another highlight.
Outside we saw the Abbey ruins and the extensive gardens.

                       
                                               At the entry to the Royal Palace.

The Holyrood Abbey was in ruins but very beautiful. They don't build ruins like this today!

                                                           Gail in the Gardens.

                                                   The Garden Guard was splendid!