Happy birthday to my oldest daughter Michelle. I trust she is having a wonderful day celebrating. We had a small party for her before I left. Maybe the kids will fix her dinner or something special tonight.
I skipped the bus tour of Edinburgh and the tour of the castle today. I needed some quiet time and a day free from a ride in the bus. We have two long bus ride days ahead of us and then an early day flying to Ireland. It has felt good to stay in my room and be quiet.
I did go downstairs this morning to drop off my laundry and to have breakfast. I am a bit concerned about my laundry. The desk clerk I gave it to seemed a bit lax when I gave it to him. He wasn’t sure if laundry service had already gone out for the day. The card said I had until 8:45 to turn it in and it was 7:45. He said if I missed the laundry time, they would return the dirty clothes to me this afternoon. Sure hope they got cleaned as I gave them all but the clothes I have on today. Not sure what I will do if they lose my laundry sack or return it with still dirty laundry. Dirty laundry is better than no laundry returned I guess.
I went back downstairs at 8:45 to tell the tour guide I was staying in for the day. I came back up to the room and took a nap. I had woken up at 4:30 and hadn’t been able to go back to sleep. After my nap I went walking outside for a bit.
It was sprinkling and then lightly raining for a bit. I looked up and there was blue sky above me. I walked down the block and got a bigger view of the sky and saw a little rain cloud above. It didn’t rain long and I didn’t get very wet.
I stopped at a little cafe and had a goat cheese salad. It was delicious and the service was very good. Not sure what I am going to do for dinner. I may go out later this afternoon and have another walk around. I didn’t see many shops or things to do close to the hotel. I wasn’t feeling very adventurous this morning so I will see if I feel like wandering a bit further late afternoon.
I wrote a few letters and sent them as emails this afternoon. It has felt so good to not be in a bus. I needed a quiet day to get ready for two long bus days ahead and then the flight to Ireland. Hoping Ireland will be amazing.
Grateful for a quiet day in my hotel room, grateful for a wonderful lunch, and grateful for silence – it feels my soul.