Driving in the City of Lights

We definitely could have stayed in Scotland a few more days, but, the car needed to be returned and our flights have already been booked. We packed our bags fairly quickly and have a light bag of souvenirs to take with us. We’re hoping that our drive in France will be good, although we are expecting a bit of stress having to drive on the other side of the road and all. Up and away we go. Farewell beautiful Scotland. We will miss you.

We touched down from our short one hour flight to Paris at 1pm and despite reading that the Parisian public transport system is very good, we bypassed the train and headed straight to the Hire Car area. Oh Ladies, check out the artwork in the airport toilet. What a way to be welcomed to Paris!

Airport Female Toilet - very French indeed

Back to hire care, we already have a car booked for the 16^th for our drive down to Rome so decided that we would brave the traffic and just use the car until then to get around. It sounds cool: “We’re driving the streets of Paris”, but it was far from cool. The price for the 6 day hire car from Paris down to Rome with our 3 days was well over 1,000 euro. It didn’t make sense to us because we’ve already paid for the 3 days but we were told we would have to pay 500 euro because we were returning it in a different country. Anyway, we just wanted to leave the airport so we took the car.

We drove around the car park a couple of times as it took Ev a while to be comfortable being in the other side of the car with gears on the right side, and she flicked the windscreen wipers by accident thinking it was the indicator, Oops! We slowly left the airport with taxi’s (yes, multiple taxi’s) beeping at us to go faster, but hey, we’re learners here. It was amazing to be driving out of the airport and seeing a plane land literally right next to us with only a fence between our road and the plane runway. Crazy!!

Ev driving on the Paris Highway on the other side of the car and road!!

French graffiti

Planes landing next to the car highway

Unfortunately, actually thankfully, we were driving in peak hour traffic because we could actually drive slow and know where we were on the map. We’ve decided not to use Dan’s iPhone for directions any more. If we get lost, we’ll just have to find a way back the old fashioned way with a compass and a map. We saw signs for an exit we should have taken, but somehow, it merged into the road we were actually on. Few! The huge no-lined roundabout was chaos, so we drove extra, extra slow on the outer most section of the road to make sure we got off at the correct street. We were really lucky to get to the hotel in less than 2 hours, and it should have only taken 45 minutes. It was ridiculous, and that train sure sounded like a good idea. That’s enough driving for now. So where do we park the car? Of course there is no car park at the hotel! We dropped our luggage off at the Grand Hotel and drove 5 blocks away through the crazy roundabout again and paid 22 euro for the car to sleep safely. At least we have a car for some day trips though, right? Now we can relax.

After our luxurious Scottish hotel we were in the mood for a nice bath and hoping for a big room. It was comparatively small and quite cramped with a double bed and not a lot of room to move and only a shower, but it was nice, so we happily unpacked our bags and Ev displayed our toy Highlander cow to make the place a little more homey, then we rested for most of the afternoon. At about 5pm we ventured to the streets of Paris looking for dinner and found a nice take-out eatery which we came back to after going to a small supermarket to buy water and fruit. Dinner was very nice. Ev asked reception from some hot water for a cup of tea. It’s a little uncomfortable not having a kettle in the room. Time for sleep now.

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Edinburgh Castle

We both woke up early for a change and wanted to see Rosslyn Castle (only 20 mins away) before Ev skyped her parents so we quickly had breakfast and left so we’d be back in time. We drove out to Rosslyn where the Chapel was not knowing the Castle is just behind the church. It was a bit of a walk along a muddy car track and we couldn’t believe we actually walked down this same road the other day and missed it. After watching the Da Vinci Code the other night, the final scene was fresh but it didn’t look the same. This is the scene where the cars drove out from the castle at the end. It was very nice with loose stones along the driveway and a weathered stone wall at the front entrance. The Castle looked very homey but as there were cars out the front we didn’t stay long. We’re thinking people actually live there or rented it for the week. It would be a pleasant place to stay. We took a few snaps from different angles then headed back home just in time for Ev’s date at 10am.

Rosslyn Castle

Turns out we both had the days and time confused. We’ll be on a plane tomorrow so will have to organise for another time. We sat around the apartment relaxing and reading brochures about the city and surrounding areas then decided we should make time for the Edinburgh Castle today. It was good to have our own lunch, then we headed out at around 12pm.



Edinburgh Castle

We parked at the foot of the castle and walked up the slope and stairs. On the way Ev’s calves were cramping and she had to stop to stretch. She’s had a lot of soreness the last couple of day drips and we’re questioning if we should even do the Inca Trail. We’ll see how we go and if it gets worse we might have to call Karen to cancel. Eventually we made it up the stone stairs and to the left we were immediately confronted with scaffolding and workmen stacking chairs. The Edinburgh Tattoo was on last week and Ev was kicking herself that we missed one of the greatest shows on earth. We stood in the centre of the stage and imagined the marching bands and horses performing on this very stage with thousands of viewers in the stands before the majestic Edinburgh Castle. Ev pirouetting infront of the Castle. Dan laughed and we walked in.

We had pre-paid for our tickets for the Edinburgh Castle online last night so we just collected them from a machine then also collected the audio guide for around the castle. It was well worth the few extra pounds. The view over the castle wall gave a spectacular view of the city and surrounding mountains. We didn’t really know the layout of the city very well, but a couple of other tourists were pointing out sights to each other which we overheard. It was lovely to see all the greenery between the houses and buildings. Edinburgh is a very pretty place.

Side of Edinburgh Castle

Stage of Edinburgh Tattoo

View of the city from the Castle

At 12:50pm a female soldier and a noise thrill seeking tourist came out into a petitioned space near the wall in front of hundreds of tourists. We waited patiently to see what was about to happen then the soldier moved next to a working cannon peering through the wall over the city. It was a couple of minutes wait for the 1 o’clock Canon and the tourist obviously knew how loud it was going to be as she excitedly jumped and clapped in anticipation then covered her ears before it was to go off. The soldier saluted then grabbed the chord and pulled “Banggggggg!!” The sound echoed and smoke puffed out of the end and although we knew it was coming, it still scared the shit out of both of us and hundreds of other tourists. We reviewed the video Dan took just as she pulled the cord and the camera shakes abruptly as the cannon is fired. That’s twice Dan has been scared! Very cool indeed.

1 O'clock Cannon

Banggggggg!!

After our heart beats returned to normal we continue our audio tour around the castle grounds and marvelled at the city from all sides. On top of the castle near the church we strolled through the souvenir store and bought a book about the Castle and a small bottle of Edinburgh Castle whiskey. Outside we looked over the wall down to the Dog Cemetery a flight down; that’s right, dogs are very loved by the Officer’s and Royal’s.

Church

Pet Cemetery

Castle Meeting Rooms

We carried on to one of the buildings that had been turned into a museum displayed information of the history of the castle and reigning Royals. One curved wall displayed paintings of the earliest Kings and as time moved on the paintings progressively came out of the wall into full sculptures. It was very artistic. We saw the Scottish Crowned Jewels encased in glass, including the Sword of the State made for James IV in 1507, the Crown made for James V in 1540 and the Sceptre for James IV in 1494, and each of the shield designs (about 20) for each Royal couple who governed in their time hung around the walls of the room. We enjoyed our time at the Castle and handed in our audio guide at 2pm. By this time Ev’s legs were very sore so we paid our parking ticket and went back home.

Edinburgh Castle

The Royal Mile

Competition car in a Mall

 

Back on the couch

We had leftovers for dinner. ‘Oh leftovers, how we’ve missed you’, then rented ‘Mr & Mrs Smith’ and ‘40yr Old Virgin’ from reception. It’s nice to feel like we’re living in a house instead of a hotel room. We’re having our Edinburgh Castle chocolates we bought today with some ice-cream now. Orange and milk chocolate, Strawberry and white chocolate. They are very smooth. Yum! Now, This is a holiday.

After dinner Treat

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Highlander Castles and Nessy Day

We have a huge day today, so of course we slept in, but eventually began our drive through the beautiful Scottish scenery to the Stirling Castle.


Loch Lomond

We stopped to admire Loch Lomond and awed at the enormous mountains behind the wind rippled lake. There were virtually no other visitors so we stayed for about 5 minutes to breathe in the clean air. We wished we could have stayed longer. By the time we left there were 7 other cars pulling up. We seem to find all the good sights by luck.

Loch Lomond

Our drive continued on with the Loch peeping through trees. One day trip in this area is simply not long enough. Soon after the Loch we were excited to see Highlander cows grazing in the paddock. They looked so peaceful amongst the healthy green grass with their long coats. We pulled off the road to a short dirt driveway and thudded over a bump just off the path then got out and snapped some pictures. The car was stuck on a rock! (The things Ev will do to get a shot) Luckily her skillful driving got us back on the highway in no time.

Highlander Cows

The beautiful view of the Highlands

Stirling Castle

After 3 hours of driving we finally made it to Stirling Castle. It was fairly busy already with a couple of tourist buses already exploring the castle. We had a quick look around the outside grounds and out at the William Wallace Monument on the distant hill overlooking the town. We joined a tour group to view the inside grounds of the castle. We figured that since we had driven all this way it’s worth being escorted around through the small village properly.

William Wallace Monument on the mountain overlooking the town

The Stirling has had a long history of ownership changes between Scotland and England for ownership of the country. The castle is of high political gain as whoever owns Stirling Castle, owns Scotland. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. The first castle surrender occurrence to the English was in 1174 and many battles have taken place on the soil until 1357. The Queen of Scots is actually French, so although the Scottish don’t like to admit it, Scotland is actually owned by France, but fortunately this is not legal. Each time undertaking remodelling of the fortress structures. It is a beautiful castle which has been rebuilt and remodelled in various styles. We took a tour of the courts and saw the windows of the king and queen chambers then went up into a bedroom where Mary Queen of Scots have birth to her son King James IV which was very small.

We entered the huge Dining Room where large balls and parties were and are still held. There was also a tour in The Chapel Royal that had recent hand made tapestries of biblical stories hanging on the large walls. Each of the tapestries were made by ladies working in the castle and took a month to make. Dan went to the men’s haunted toilet and survived unscathed, but some staff had been known to run from the toilets screaming, refusing to come back to work after seeing a ghost. Upstairs from the toilets was a Military museum honouring the men and women who went to battle. A model scene of the Thin Red Line displayed the courage of the Scots in battle. The tour took almost an hour and a half which was longer than we expected, but it was worth taking the time.

Stirling Castle

Picture of the Royal parents with Mary Queen of the Scot's (right)...not the photographer

Dining Hall

Religious Tapestry symbolising Jesus, the Perfect Unicorn, trapped before His Crucifixion

Loch Ness

We drove through the township of Loch Ness and saw more Highlander cows grazing. They are so cool with their coat! After driving through the town we stopped at a gift shop to ask for directions to the Urquhart Castle overlooking Loch Ness. We were told it would be closing soon, but what does that mean in a place where speed limits are not really applicable. On the way we pulled up beside the banks of Loch Ness to observe the famous body of water. It was very peaceful with trees all around and white pebbles on the banks.

Mmmooooooooo

Loch Ness

What speed limit?! Who's driving!!!

Urquhart Castles

We made it to the Urquhart Castle with 10 minutes to spare before the last entrants were accepted at 5:15pm and walked through the castle remains next to the loch. It was very peaceful and green and we were lucky to view the fort remains at sunset with the Loch Ness water in the background. We aren’t really sure about the history of the place but knew it was one of the major Scottish strongholds back in the day and also an area with the most sightings of the Loch Ness Monster. Yeah we saw her, but we don’t want to make a big deal out of it, so what?  We didn’t stay too long as they were closing.

Urquhart Castle Fort

Not really ready for our long drive home we strolled through the souvenir shop and found a magnet. The winding roads back along the river seemed to never end, but we passed an older guy with bags on his push bike riding from the town towards Urquhart Castle way for the 3^rd time. This guy was keen! The drive home was once again stunning. We took the direct route back to Edinburgh and arrived home around 9:30pm and grabbed dinner on the road.

How much further?

The drive back to Edinburgh

Dan watched ‘Barbed Wire’ for reasons unknown to most.

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