This and That – England Trip September 22, 2022.

     Good afternoon from Edinburgh! It’s a cold, blustery day, Christopher Robin.

     The past and present swirl all around me. From ancient St. Giles Cathedral, where the Queen lay in state, to numerous woolen shops selling everything from cashmere scarves and men’s and women’s kilts, as well as long johns in every color–(No, don’t ask. I didn’t purchase either of the last two. LOL.) –wonders appear around every corner.

     Yesterday, we toured the Royal Yacht, Britannia. In the past three weeks, I’ve seen many royal things: palaces, paintings, jewels, cars, and gilded coaches. But the Royal Yacht sits at the top of my favorites. Seeing it in person, I understand why the Queen and Prince Phillip were so fond of it. Alas, my snaps of its exterior were blurry…darn wind.

     The personal stories of the crew who sailed her brought the 70-year-old ship to life. Their recorded memories spoke of pomp and majesty when the huge vessel steamed into a foreign harbor, the ship’s horn blaring, the ship’s band playing. And from the upper promenade deck, a smiling, waving Queen Elizabeth waved to her subjects.

     The Royal Family’s rooms were decorated with a whispered, simple elegance. Painted white walls gave the rooms a spacious look, the pale green and white upholstery adding a traditional British feel. The Royal Family wanted it that way.

     This was the ship on which Prince Charles and Diana spent their honeymoon, where the Queen entertained President Ronald Reagan and Nancy, as well as President Bill Clinton and Hillary. It was in these lovely rooms that she entertained World Leaders, Hollywood stars, and her grandchildren, one of whom is a future King.

     However, of all the things aboard a ship that I saw, what fascinated me the most? The ship’s engine room! Studying the Britannia’s engine room, I noticed that every brass dial and vintage steam pipe appeared in perfect working order. The powerful engines, which turned the ship’s propellers, were as new looking as the day they were installed over 70 years ago. I’m not sure if a Captain rang down “Full Steam Ahead,” the almost 300-foot yacht would not have steamed majestically out of the harbor.

     We’ve also toured Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House. The views of Edinburgh from the castle’s heights are breathtaking. It’s a foreboding architectural masterpiece, seeming carved out of the rocky hilltop on which it was built. The Palace is another historical site steeped in Scottish history. The Queen often visited there.

     Edinburgh’s streets are paved with cobblestones; at least, that’s what they looked like to this old Mississippi boy. The taxis and city buses rolling over them make a bubbly sound. Late in the afternoon, church bells pealed, reminding everyone that their time treading these ancient lanes and streets would eventually end…as does our wonderful time touring England and Scotland. And that, dear friends, is the news from Edinburgh. We leave for dear old America bright and early in the morning.

     Big hug to all.

Moi standing at front entrance Holyrood Palace