Leith

Leith is the port for Edinburgh. There is a stream called the Waters of Leith which runs for 16 miles from its source into what used to be the harbour – atmospheric old buildings along the waterfront – now nice restaurants with upmarket apartments. The Waters of Leith pass quite close by where I am staying – about 2/3 way from source to mouth – and there is a path that follows the water ( mostly – except when the path is closed) I walked to Leith this morning. It was very pleasant – I could have been miles from anywhere rather than not far from the centre of Edinburgh. There is a new building – the Ocean Terminal where the Brittania is now. The terminal is a huge shopping mall – just like any other but without the people and noise. It was a bit eerie.

Having been to the Titanic exhibition I thought I should look at the Brittania – I wanted to anyhow, but the first thing I did was to have morning tea ( coffee and scone) in the swish Royal Deck Tea Room.. As I approached Leith I was thinking about where to have morning tea. The Ocean Terminal is about 1 km from the old harbour but I wandered around the old harbour for a while so I was getting quite ready for a drink and a sit down. I knew the Tea Room would not be cheap, but I am getting better at saying – what is a few pounds, it will be a nice experience – and it was.

Fortified by coffee and scone I went around listening to the audio tour. I was surprised at how many of the things came from the previous boat. The boat is used for fancy corporate events and the state dining room was all set. The formal room was nice – not over the top. The tour took you to the officers mess, different cabins for the different ranks, Lizzie and Phil’s – separate- cabins., the laundry, all over. I enjoyed myself. Lots of interesting tit bits about life on a boat with royals.

By that stage it was after 1 so I went back to 1 of the places that I saw at the old harbour. It was the sister place of the seafood restaurant I went to the other day. I had some delicious fish soup – same as the previous day ( soup comes in 2 sizes) and some fish cakes ( also come in 2 sizes) . So by having the small of both I could have a nice meal without paying a fortune that was enough for a main meal. For the second time I have seen on a drinks menu at a restaurant desert wine described as pudding wine. I could have had a glass of Monbazilla pudding wine for ₤8. Sounds funny – very fancy name and then ‘pudding’ . If there is chardonnay on the ‘wine by the glass’ menu it always comes from Australia. Sauvigon blanc and chenic blanc usually come from South Africa , rarely Australia. But then again I have not eaten in the top restaurants.

I caught the bus back here and have had the rest of the afternoon off.