June 22nd - Day 79

[Post updated with photographs on June 27th.]
Another early rising day, at six today. Having brushed my teeth, my mission was to see the city before the city came alive.

I took the bridge across to the new town and find myself at a very different place. The streets were cleaner and very much wider than the old town I was from. Although similarly, on the streets of this early hours scattered sleepers who had no home to go to. Edinburgh was the city in United Kingdom with the most "strays" I have ever seen.

I stumble upon Clinton Hill, which I walked and saw a view of the city, North and South, and several monuments of note. The National monument looked incomplete, while the Dugald Steward monument means nothing to me, although massive and beautiful. The walk along the Royal Mile back to the hostel portrayed different architechtures that aroused mixed feelings.

Breakfast was a full Scottish breakfast from the cafe next door, while I charge my camera before I check out. Check out was at ten, after which I walked the other half of the Royal Mile towards the castle before heading for the station. With my shoulders starting to show significant fatigue, I decided to skip a visit to Prices Street Garden and wait for the train due for London Kings Cross instead. My next destination would be the city of York, in which I shall spend my afternoon.

York's the city I had planned least, out of all three cities. I had only planned to drop by on Friday, when Pauline suggested it in out morning conversation over the door. The destination I picked was Clifford's Tower, after an hour maximum of surfing. But on the way to York, with internet connection, I got a few suggestions from Nick, my new friend from Edinburgh.

At the station, I got a free copy of the city map. With it, planned my walk through York Minster and Trinity Holy Church before heading for Clifford's Tower, all in one line. The minster was sweeping, it swept me off my feet and on my buttock! Ha ha ha... I had to sit down on the grass and stare at the beauty, although I remembered that time was pressing. The Holy Trinity Church is closed every Monday. Too bad. The view from Clifford's Tower was as promised - scenic. And absolutely the entire city.

Had dinner at a recommended pub (in the city guide which map i refer to) called the Old Swan. Decided to go for the most English dish ever that I know of: fish and chips. This is a Pollock variant battered with beer, served with mushy peas. I would have enjoyed garden peas much more. And to be honest I can't really taste any beer in the batter. And the fish was really porous, as in I don't have to use my knife, my fork can break the fish. Well, it looks great in a picture anyhow. The couple sitting at the next table laughed when I got my camera out to take a picture of my fish and chips. I just smiled at them and said "Sorry, I do this all the time."

Left York on a train at seven. The following paragraphs were written on the train.

I'm going to have to write some time anyway, so why not in the train? The 18:31 train from york to London was delayed. I managed to get on at 19:04. Last I heard, the 19:35 was cancelled. I don't know if that's good or bad, really. Anyway, I don't know the status of connecting trains in Peterborough, but I've pretty much mad up my mind to change there.

Comparing the three cities that I've visited throughout the lengthened weekend, I've had to summarize as such: York was the city in red, Edinburgh is the city in yellow and Dundee is the city in gray. A view of the city atop the Clifford's Tower in York fills your eyes with fiery red, as if you were in the midst of the unfortunate event in history when the tower burned into ruins. The view of Edinburgh city from atop Edinburgh Castle drenches you eyes with warm yellow, as if you were frolicking in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The view of Dundee city from the Tay Road Bridge covers your eyes with cold grey, as if you were working in piles of soot and cinders. Three very different cities, which told distinctly different stories, were all worth the visit -- even if it tired me so much.

The wifi on this train obviously sucked. I've been trying for the past hour to find out if I'll be able to change at Peterborough, through Ely, but the connection sucked big time and I could not even get the page on the National Rail to load. As the train was approaching Peterborough, the train guide suggested that passenger for Cambridge change at Stevenage. I guess I will follow their advice, since I managed to see that the train passing Ely (to Norwich) has already departed at Peterborough. So I'm hoping to follow the route of change as if I caught the 19:35 from York instead. I sure hope we're not going to be late enough to miss that connecting train!

With Stevenage being the next calling station, I'd better unplug the power. It's no wonder people find delays frustrating in travels, it's very much so if you have appointments down the line or connecting transportations arranged. All in all, this trip has been way too tiring. I'm going for a soak tonight when I get back to the house. And I hope there's nobody to mind me having a long one! Cheers.

At Stevenage, I got a direct train to Cambridge,what a relief! And that got me to Cambridge at 22:00 sharp! Well, give or take a minute. =) Back at home, I was welcome with nice clean sheets. And after a bath, I only got into bed at about 1:30. Amazing...