Some pictures from Edinburgh

We flew from Dublin.

Waiting for our AirBnB host to meet us at her flat

The view from our bedroom window-looking into the Stockbridge neighborhood of New Town, Edinburgh

The stairwell of the apartment building (a former tenement building from the 1800's).

Some views of the streets in the New Town of Edinburgh:

The weather is "changeable" as they say in Edinburgh.  We thought we'd take a look around this food truck park, but the rain came down, so we found a place inside instead.

The living room of our Air BnB

J snapped a sneaky picture of me.  Our host was kind enough to let us do a load of laundry at her house.  I was waiting for the wash to be done so I could hang it up to dry.

Another stairwell shot

A spooky looking memorial in town-the coloring came from the city's residents burning coal to heat their homes years ago.

Looking up to Old Town (built in the 1600's)

We climbed these stairs to access the Old Town.

Made it to the top!

The International Festival and the Fringe Festival occur in August in Edinburgh.  There was so much going on in the city!  We didn't go to any shows, but we enjoyed the hustle and bustle around town.

Lots of closes in Old Town-tiny little streets that run between buildings.  We toured Mary King's Close, which was built over in the 1700's.  Photography wasn't allowed on the tour, so above ground shots of still open closes will have to do. 

Some photos of the Old Town:

Edinburgh Castle in the background

Quacker Jack at the Edinburgh Castle

Some more of Old Town

We took a break from all the walking and enjoyed people watching at a restaurant's outdoor seating.

Edinburgh Castle in the evening

Old Town in the evening

Part of the castle as we were walking back through New Town

These photos are from our day we arrived in Edinburgh--we toured the castle and explored much more of Old Town.  We also took a day trip through the Highlands.  It was fantastic!  I hope to get those pictures up soon.  We took the train yesterday from Edinburgh to York, England.  We're off to explore this neat old town now.

How is a Snug similar to a Snuggie?

While visiting Dingle Town, we stumbled upon a rambling bar called Dick Mack's.

 

It's the kind of place you can find a cozy room and relax with your pint.  When J went back for another (sorry Mom), he noticed a snug opened up next to the bar.  He claimed it as ours and retrieved me from the other room.  We first learned about snugs in bars when we met with our Irish Ambassador, Joe.  He explained that, in the past, women were not to be seen doing unladylike things in public (like drink or smoke); wise barmen knew that women were going to want to drink and smoke, so they added little enclosed rooms next to the bar in which ladies could indulge without the judging eyes of the public observing.

Turn your judging eyes from me!

This picture of our snug was hanging inside it.

The view from inside our snug out to the bar-see the door you can close for total non judgement?

Looking into the bar area from the snug

Another view from inside the snug

We just liked the fact that this kid is sitting on spent kegs.

J shut the door, but I felt it was rude, so we opened it back up. 

Here we are enjoying our sneaky little snug.

J's brother found this awesome video before he knew we had already experienced the snug at Dick Mack's and forwarded it on to us.  I'm not sure how they were able to fit all those folks PLUS their instruments in there.  

And here's this awesome video featuring a Snuggie.

So, how is a Snug similar to a Snuggie?

*both make you feel warm (maybe the beer IN the Snug had something to do with the warmth?) and cozy

*both are luxurious 

*both allow you to have your hands free

I think we can all agree that a Snug very similar to a Snuggie, but the Snug wins out.