We packed up and got ourselves sorted to leave Carrie's flat and Scotland.
Before hitting the road, we went for a last walk up Calton Hill, which bore a huge black scar from the bonfire, visible even from our flat. From the top we looked back across Leith to the Firth of Forth.
We walked on into Edinburgh and after a couple of false starts, got ourselves on to a tour bus, which included a Horrible Histories commentary for Thomas. We got off in the Grassmarket, which is one of the lower level shopping areas in this city of bridges and cliffs, and found a warm cafe in which to hide from the cold.
After some brief shopping (including Robert finding a rather fetching tweed bowtie) we took the tour bus back to Holyrood and walked back to our car.
As we began the long drive back to the Lake District, the rain started to fall and the day got darker and darker. We drove all afternoon and finally arrived back in the Lake District. We considered stopping for dinner in Whitehaven, but the miserable weather and the prospect of restaurants full of NYE diners was disheartening, so we pressed on to Moor End. As we started to recognise the landscape it felt a lot like coming home.
At Moor End we found Marian and Andrew waiting with a lasagne, which was exactly what we needed. Marian and Andrew were heading next door for dinner, so we spent a quiet and sleepy evening with Squeaky and Buster.
When Marian and Andrew returned, it was time for the Moor End New Year's Eve bonfire, which rivalled the best Edinburgh could do. We were joined by Emma and Nick from next door and their family. The rain eased off over time, but to be honest once the bonfire was lit, we stopped noticing mere weather.
Andrew and Thomas let off rockets as we drank champagne.
Thomas managed to stay up until 1ish. Robert and Helen almost made it to 2. Happy New Year!
No comments:
Post a Comment