BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?

Subject: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:28 PM

As a Polish/Russian/Welsh/Englisman with no Scottish heritage whatsoever I post this with no axe to grind!

We are just back from a family wedding in Edinburgh. The hotel was on Grassmarket facing the Castle. Wonderful outlook. We had a good look round Saturday morning and I fell in love with the place. I have been before, twice, but never realy saw it like this. (First time I went to T in the park and the second I was working.) The wedding was lovely. The bride, my wife's neice, was beautiful and her husband was just as handsome. The reception was fantastic and a small Ceilidh band got the place bouncing far better than some of the big Ceilidhs I have been to in England.

We saw the Armistice day parade today and I was moved to tears. I bought a Saxon sword from one of the best armouries I have ever seen. On the way out I saw the Elephant House (birthplace of Harry Potter) just down the road from the Bedlam theatre who are now showing Terry Pratchett's 'Guards, guards!'. I nearly turned back!

On a different note. How come the Scots have such a wonderful pride in their heritage while us English just take the piss? For the first time ever I heard Mrs P wishing she had some Scottish heritage herself. The worrying thing is, I nearly bought a kilt...

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:30 PM

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:36 PM

Lovely city, a bit on the expensive side, but as a Glaswegian, I can say no more !
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:39 PM

Anywhere warm

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Megan L
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:41 PM

Dammit Giok ye got there afore me :)

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:42 PM

It waa warm, Richard! You just needed a big coat and a wooly hat...

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: GUEST,sparticus
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:51 PM

No "axe to grind" but a Saxon sword to wield?

Bet you got some strange looks on the train!

How do you get away with carrying a Saxon sword around Newcastle and what will you use it for - spreading pease-pudding?

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:57 PM

:D

I took it back in the car to Newcastle after putting Mrs P on the train to Manchester. It is still in it's box so I think I will leave it there until I get chance to use it at a martial arts session.

They did have some amazing axes as well - I may well get one next time...

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 04:58 PM

BTW - They had a Gladius. Interested, Sparticus?

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 05:00 PM

I can totally understand Dave as I too fell in love with Edinburgh, in fact Glasgow and all the surrounding areas I have so far visited, the people are also so warm and friendly, not like the South where the majority cant give you the time of day. I discovered that my grandfather came from Edinburgh so I was really pleased, I even found the Tartan I am able to wear ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: GUEST,sparticus
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 05:08 PM

"a martial arts session?"

You're never thinking of taking it down to the Bigg market on a Saturday night, are you?

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 05:22 PM

I dunno, Spart. Never realy get into the 'castle on a Saturday. I would be happy carrying it down Deansgate in Manchester on a Saturday if the plod would let me:-) I love the 'Markets' in Newcastle BTW - Groatmarket is my favourite. I reckon it is the early version of a pound shop.

'Roll up, everything you like. A groat. Don't ask the price, it's all a groat...'

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 05:24 PM

Good job I didn't mis-spell it. Imagine using it at a marital arts session...

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 06:59 PM

I have never been to Edinburgh. I've been through Glasgow though, in 1973, and I thought there was nothing wrong with the place that aerial bombardment couldn't sort out. God, what a dump. The whole place was worse than the worst places in London and that's saying something. It may be better now, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 07:17 PM

Sandy Bells is just across the street from the Bedlam Thatre. We have a session there every Sunday afternoon. Dave, how come you missed it?

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: redsnapper
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 07:31 PM

It is Penguin Egg.

Edinburgh is indeed a fine city (as is Glasgow) and I am pleased to be within an hour's travelling of both.

RS

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: michaelr
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 07:52 PM

It's not Auld Reekie anymore, then?

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 09:54 PM

It just won the popular vote, last month, as the "Best Place in Britain".

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 04:30 AM

The people make the place like 'Manners maketh the man' So although I admit that parts of Glasgow are an eyesore, it has a warm heart.
You often hear it said that if you fall over in London people will just walk round you: in Glasgow you would be tended to and comforted within seconds. If I was destitute it's the city I would head for, as I know I'd never starve where there are Glaswegians.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: maeve
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 07:02 AM

I was treated ever so kindly everywhare I went in Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 07:13 AM

`Giok` is right about Glaswegians, if you are lying in the street they don`t walk around you, they come back and put the boot in, kidding, generous to a fault, all that crap about tight Scots is bunkum, certainly not Glaswegians. They tell me Dublin is nice.

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 02:25 PM

Funnily enough, Jack, I have been in Sandy Bells. When I was there on business it was my first port of call after checking into the hotel. Not got the willpower to go for the Sunday afternoon session though. I just couldn't imagine sat there surrounded by all those friendly folk, cracking music and amazing choice of single malts and then leaving early to drive 3 hours back!

One day though, one day...

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: DougR
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 06:10 PM

I love Edinburgh. I don't like cold weather though.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 07:28 PM

Know what you mean about the cold DougR, I am a fair weather maid and just LOVE the warm sun,but others things were far more important and so Scotland won for many reasons. Although I have to say I have walked round in short sleeves.....yes I said short sleeves and I was NOT cold ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: DougR
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 07:52 PM

My wife and I spent three days there in September and could not have asked for better weather. I agree with those who have found the Scottish People among the friendliest ever encountered. A shop owner in Edinburgh talked me out of buying a cell phone in his shop because I had told him I wanted it in the event we had car trouble on the backroads of the Highlands. He said "Don't waste your money. If you wait a bit somebody will be along to help you. You can count on it."

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 03:05 AM

Perhaps more people would like it if there weren't all these sodding awful Edinburgh Wool Shops all over the place.

They sell strange clothes and cheap cds by herman's hermits with none of the original Hermits. Also they sell packets of things called griddle cakes in a fancy packet.

There must be a reason Bert Jansch didn't go back there. Perhaps it was the griddle cakes, perhaps it was the Hermans Hermits cd, maybe it was the strange coloured leggings for fat people.

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: GUEST,sparticus
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 04:05 AM

Edinburgh rock -------- s

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 04:27 AM

Arthur's Seat [Fanny in the USA?]
G

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 04:31 AM

I love Edinburgh and often go to Sandy Bell's when there. It is so much better since they stopped the smoking inside.

BUT - coming from Sheffield - real ale normally at £1.80 - £2.20 I find you do need a sense of humour to drink there!

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:01 PM

Talking about the cost of real ale, try down South some day, if you dare, you can pay £2.50 / £2.60 a pint in some places, so give me £2.20 anyday, and I would rather pay the extra and be in Scotlland than Sheffield anyday! having said that I would rather be down South then Sheffield. Of course if you go to a Weatherspoons you can most likely get real ale (do they sell such good drink) for about £1.80 but who likes Weatherspoons, even the food is CX£"% and NO music.

No give me Scotland anytime over the rest of the country, even with real ale at £2.20.
lol x

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: CET
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:37 PM

I would go back to Edinburgh in a heartbeat. The National Museum of Scotland is one of the best I've ever seen. Great walking tours, especially of some of the underground parts of the city. We went to a session at Sandy Bell's and a singing session at the Tassie. And there's a Gurkha restaurant! For someone who grew up hearing about the Gurkhas, that was a treat quite apart from the food, which was excellent.

I want to know what you plan to do with your sword. There can't be too many katas for Saxon weaponry.

Edmund

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: GUEST,MikeyOno
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:39 PM

Dunoon

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 06:40 PM

The form for the Tai Chi sword would work for the Saxon one as it is a similar double edged weapon, apart from the weight. I am going to an Eskrima workshop in a couple of weeks which may give me a better idea.

But I just LOVE the sword anyway!

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: kendall
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 08:30 PM

I hate cities. With one exception, Edinburgh. Athens of the north is well named.

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 09:12 AM

I love Edinburgh.

But why is everything uphill?

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 02:31 PM

...apart from the downhill bits?

We have a theory of the expanding and contracting universe. Whenever you go uphil the universe expands. It contracts as you descend hence the uphill bits are always far longer than the downhill ones!

Mind you, we also figured out that the sun was cold - If it is so hot how come it goes colder when you are closer to it on top of a hill? Huh?

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: skarpi
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 03:15 PM

well been there three times , and going there again its great town to visit , the question about if theres a better place , well
everyone has his or her better place :>)

I always stay at princes street and watch the castle.

All the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Cats
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 05:16 PM

Jon and I are thinking of coming to Edinburgh for a long weekend next summer. From what has been said here it looks as if you might have persauded us.

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Rowan
Date: 15 Nov 07 - 05:02 PM

Ian Rankin (an author, for those not in the know) retired Rebus (his fictional cop character of two decades' standing, ditto), prompting an MP to ask, in Parliament, to raise the retirement age for real ones; cops, that is, not authors or MPs. Where else but Edinburgh?

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Nov 07 - 05:09 PM

I walked down the steps you always see in Rebus, trying to look moody but I didn't do it as well as he. I think it is the bottom of Advocates Close. Missed out seeing the Arch going over Cowgate though - another favourite Rebus shot.

D.

Subject: RE: BS: Edinburgh - Is there a better place?
From: GUEST,Bill the sound
Date: 15 Nov 07 - 08:03 PM

It's a long way from South Wales but even as a Welshman if I didn't live in Wales. I would like to live in Edinburgh.