Our last official Princess tour day and the last of our three days in Scotland. After two tours well away from major cities, today was a return to city life and it started with a free boat ride to shore at South Queensferry, where the iconic Forth Bridge is situated. This amazing all metal structure has just been granted World Heritage status. When it was first constructed, it was the largest steel structure in the world - and it only carries rail traffic, so naturally enough, over time, they had to build road bridges and as always, capacity was soon insufficient. Although it may not be too clear from any pics, they are currently constructing a fifth bridge and there was a public competition to name it. Our guide for the day, John Duncan's suggestion was the 'Fifth Firth of Forth For Free', as that is exactly what it will be. Sadly, his suggestion wasn't taken up.
We had opted for the City Tour and Edinburgh Castle trip and the first surprise was that the chap wearing the kilt was not in fact the guide, it was Daniel, our coach driver!
Our guide John could have done a very passable impression of Ronnie Corbett with a pillow up his shirt. His voice and delivery was just about identical - and he wasn't very tall. With flat cap and moustache, it just completed the look.
Once again, a very good guide who was pleasant to listen to and it was only after a very slow drive around the city, once again clogged by very heavy traffic, and our arrival at Edinburgh Castle, that he lapsed into the heavy history lesson. My earpiece/radio wasn't working very well and just 2 or 3 minutes inside the portcullis, Paula and I opted to do our own thing, as this then gave us time to exit the castle and spend just a few minutes at the top of the Royal Mile.
However, the castle is well worth a visit as there is much to see, other than just the spectacular view. In the distance, we could just make out the top of the Forth Bridge.
The castle doesn't have a specific build date as it was progressively enhanced over several hundred years. It incorporates one or two museums, including a prisoner museum and the castle is still today, actively used as an army base.
Well known to most people is the Edinburgh Tattoo and this magnificent show takes months to assemble, with temporary stands, sound and lighting systems and a massive control box. It also takes a couple of months to disassemble, so six months of the year, there is work going on in front of the castle.
The number of visitors was unbelievable and the queue for tickets must have been well over 200 yards/metres. Bunches of narrated tours were everywhere but on the way out, the multi storey gift shop and café is worth a visit, as in the basement, they still have an active weaving shop. The view wasn't that good as it was from windows in the shop, but it made a change.
Outside the castle, it was just as chaotic, with people entering and leaving plus all those just walking the Royal Mile.
Several HoHo buses around, including what was billed as a 'Vintage' bus, tour. It looked like a London Routemaster with the roof removed. Not exactly vintage, but you wouldn't be getting air-conditioning.
We did a little shopping and I managed to buy our regular Australian cruisers' uniform tartan hat – with attachment.
Our time back at the bus was 12:15, with a departure time of 12:20. Just one senior American couple hadn't arrived at 12:15 and the guide made the correct call to leave. He had no choice, as once back at base, they had the afternoon tour to consider.
At 12:30, we set off and straightaway, at the castle gates, we hit the traffic jam, stuck behind other tour buses and HoHo buses. The errant couple were spotted by a friend on the coach, so the driver opened the doors and they hopped on. No apology for their lateness either. I am sure that some people have no concept as to how their own tardiness has a knock on effect.
Back to South Queensferry much easier than the journey out, as it was no longer rush hour. We could have eaten locally, but opted to return to the ship, as the warm sunshine looked to be fading as the heavy clouds rolled in.
We rode up top on the tender and timed it just right. The clouds did pass over later and the late afternoon and evening were very pleasant indeed. The first time Paula has been warm for a few days!
Deck 5 and yet another tasty (mushroom) quiche plus prawn, shaved fennel and radish salad and the chicken and pineapple again and a vanilla coffee.
Although I'll explain some of the Royal specifics later, they do have a gelato bar downstairs. Three scoops for $3.60 – or one clip off your coffee card. Paula wanted the lemon yogurt she's seen previously, but they only had strawberry yoghurt. She managed to sweet talk the server to let her have just one scoop for free, claiming that was fair enough, as her coffee was only half strength and that was a full clip! It was delicious…
Then the dreaded announcement from the Captain. "Due to an increased number of gastroenteritis cases notified to the medical centre…" I'm sure regular cruisers will be able to add what followed.
Not as severe as what we had previously as only some services were affected, namely they now issued cutlery instead of leaving it on the tables and the salt and pepper pots had vanished. Personally, I think that issuing napkins and cutlery and removing glasses and mugs from the tables makes more sense anyway. On the Royal, in addition to the usual hand sanitizers on entry, they also have a small alcove containing running water and soap so they insisted we wash our hands before entering the buffet. No big deal.
The food was still self-service other than the speciality area had noodle soup, which was ordered at the counter, then delivered to the table. We chatted to a waiter we'd talked to when we dined with Chris Watkins and Paula asked why there was never a crème brulee in the Horizon Court (there was the first day), only on the dining room menu, as a staple. To cut a short story shorter, this delightful waiter fetched her one. A Blue card moment.
Just before 9:15 we headed back to the Vista for another David Knight hypnotism show. As David explained, there are several levels and some go deeper than others. One woman said she was aware of what she was doing but just couldn't help it. She was on a different level from the others and David asked her if she was a hypnotist. She said no. So David asked HER to count to 3, then click her fingers. She did - and promptly fell asleep again!
As always, the end was pretty funny.
Clocks forward again 1 hour tonight, temporarily, and a relaxing sea day to look forward to before we return to Le Havre. Weather forecast is a high of – 16 degrees. Although it won't take us too long, no doubt we'll be packing.
We received a Le Havre shuttle leaflet, stating that the ship shuttle to town, 3kms away, would be the usual $8 per person each way – and taxis were available at the wharf for approx €10. Do the math.
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