A manic two days back at work, then Tuesday night I was off to Edinburgh to judge at the Scottish beer festival.
It's the first time I have been up to Edinburgh by train, which is a shame because My Grandfather, and my Great Grandfather before him helped build the railway up there. It is a fantastic journey, and once you get north of Newcastle, the train follows the coast up to Berwick, with a slow curve around the city showing off the huge Viaduct.
Arrived in Edinburgh just after 9pm to fantastic weather.The first thing to remember about Edinburgh is that it is on more than one level. What looks like crossroads on the map is often bridges.
I had a pint in the Worlds End pub, a plaque outside explains that the city gates used to be here, and the gates were though of as the end of the world. £3.74 for a pint of bitter. Thats more than I pay in London. It was undrinkable muck as well. If beer is to taste like this it might as well be the end of the world!
I had a wander around Edinburgh in the morning. I like this City. There are loads of little ginnels leading off the road, and fantastic buildings everywhere.
I finally found the Beer festival, which was well advertised by one small poster on the back of the building overlooking some waste land. Do you think they have read the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy ?Thursday and a great relaxing trip on the train back to Manchester ready for a weekend at Tatton Park for a medieval weekend. However, due to the rain, the Tug-of-war on Space Hoppers was cancelled, on safety grounds. That is one sentance that I never thought I would hear!
